The Gospel according to...
Matthew
Written by a disciple and eyewitness of Jesus, Matthew's gospel tells the story of Christ's life, focusing on Him as the promised Messiah and the coming king
Explore the key chapters of Matthew's gospel with a commentary for each below, or jump right to reading the book yourself by clicking the link here
Key Chapters
The Sermon on the Mount
"Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God" - Matthew 5:8
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In the sermon on the mount, Jesus imparts fundamental teachings and moral principles, including the Beatitudes and guidance on love, forgiveness, and prayer. It is considered a central and influential part of Christian ethics and theology.
Jesus walks on Water
"But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid." - Matthew 14:27
The story of Jesus walking on water is one that demonstrates His absolute dominion over all created things while also exemplifying what is possible for those who trust in Christ despite their worldly troubles
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The Crucifixion
"...they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!"" - Matthew 27:54
Hailed by some as the most fundamental part of Christianity, the death of Jesus Christ for the salvation of our souls, the crucifixion provides us with the perfect demonstration of sacrificial love and absolute submission to God's will
The sermon on the mount
Scripture
Matthew 5-7 (quoted 7:7-12)
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
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“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."
Jesus walks on the sea
Scripture
Matthew 14 (quoted 14:22-33)
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
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Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
“Come,” he said.
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Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
The Crucifixion
Scripture
Matthew 27 (quoted 27:32-44)
As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. Above his head they placed the written charge against him: this is Jesus, the king of the jews.
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Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.