“Look at the Book” is Bible Gateway’s series of short blog posts and infographics introducing you to the books of the Bible. With the Gospel of Matthew — a book that relies heavily on Old Testament prophecies for the Messiah — we now move into the New Testament.
Scroll to the bottom if you’d prefer to see (and save) this article as an infographic. You’ll also find a handy 30-day reading guide. Or, for a challenge, you can do it in one week using the 7-day reading guide below.
Summary
Matthew was a Jew who wrote to other Jewish believers in order to proclaim Jesus as the promised Messiah, the King of the Jews. He shows how Jesus came to fulfill the Old Testament but also to judge the Jews for their unfaithfulness.
- Category: Gospels
- Theme: Kingdom
- Timeline: Approx. 60 AD, possibly in Antioch
Key Verse
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” — Matthew 5:17 (NIV)
Drawing Connections
Matthew is distinctive in citing a number of Old Testament prophecies that Jesus fulfilled during his ministry.
Matthew quotes the Old Testament 36 times, mostly from the prophets Isaiah, Zechariah, and Micah, the Psalms, and the Book of Deuteronomy.
7 Day Reading Guide
(See 30-day guide below.)
- Day 1: Matthew 1-4
- Day 2: Matthew 5-8
- Day 3: Matthew 9-12
- Day 4: Matthew 13-16
- Day 5: Matthew 17-20
- Day 6: Matthew 21-24
- Day 7: Matthew 25-28
Sermon on the Mount
Although many stories and events recorded in Matthew are found only in this gospel, perhaps the most noteworthy is Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount.
Access the rest of the series. Browse Bible studies for each book of the Bible. Or right-click on the infographic below to download and save the image for your reference.
Chris Fann is the Senior Digital Marketing Manager for Harper Christian Resources. He loves the smell ofa baseball glove, coffee, and old books. He lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan with his wife, 2 teenage boys, and their dog, Freya.
