Bible Book Summaries › Matthew
Matthew: Summary & Key Themes
The Book of Matthew at a glance, before you read it.
| Written by | Matthew, the tax collector and apostle (traditional) |
|---|---|
| Written to | Jewish Christians |
| Type | Gospel |
| Chapters | 28 |
| Position | Book 40 of 66 · book 1 of the New Testament |
Summary
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised Messiah and King, opening with His genealogy from Abraham and David. It gathers Jesus’ teaching into five great speeches, including the Sermon on the Mount, and often notes how Old Testament prophecy is fulfilled. It ends with the Great Commission.
Main themes
- Jesus as Messiah and King
- the kingdom of heaven
- fulfilled prophecy
Key verse
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:Matthew 28:19 (KJV)
How to read Matthew
Try one chapter a day: 28 days to finish. Read the whole book quickly once, then slowly. Ask three questions as you go: what did this mean to the first readers, what does it show about God, and what does it ask of me?
Next: Mark