Matthew

Read this book by chapter and explore its background.

Purpose To demonstrate that Jesus is the Messiah (God's anointed one)
To help Christians understand how to live in relation to Judaism
Author Matthew (also known as Levi), one of the twelve apostles of Jesus
Date Likely sometime between AD 65 and 80
Setting Written at a time in which early Christians were struggling to make sense of the relationship of their new beliefs to the Jewish faith

Overview Article

The apostle Matthew shows that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ and the king of Israel that Israel had awaited for a long time. Jesus fulfills the Old Testament promises but surprises his contemporaries. The Gospel of Matthew explains how both Jewish and non-Jewish people (gentiles) belong in God's expanding kingdom. It challenges readers to fully commit to Jesus Christ as king.

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Key People, Places, and Terms

Themes

The Stone the Builders Rejected 37 Jesus continually offended the Jewish leaders and their followers. Although he was from the family line of King David, they questioned his mother's reputation ( Matthew 1:18–25 ). Jesus came from Nazareth ( Matthew 2:... The Son of Man 29 "Son of Man" was Jesus' favorite way to refer to himself. The phrase is unusual in both Greek and English. It translates the Hebrew phrase ben ’adam , which means "human being" or "person" (see, for example, Ezekiel 2... Faith and Good Deeds 21 Jesus did not teach that we are saved by doing good things ("works"). Instead, he taught that we need to be changed on the inside. This change (or conversion) happens when God works in us through his grace. When God c... Jesus and Satan 17 Satan is a personal agent of sin and evil who opposed Jesus ( Matthew 4:1–11 ). The Gospel of Matthew refers to this being as: Angels 15 In the Bible, angels are God's messengers who carry out his plans and tell his will to humans ( Genesis 16:7–12 ; Numbers 22:22–34 ; Judges 13:3–21 ; 2 Kings 1:3 , 15 ; Zechariah 1:4–12 ). The Hebrew Old Testament and... God’s Promised Kingdom 12 God promised that his kingdom would come through King David ( 1 Chronicles 17:4–14 ). During his rule, David prepared for building the temple, which would be the center of God's kingdom ( 28:11–19 ). He urged Israel's... The Day Is Coming 12 Jesus prophesied three future events in the Synoptic Gospels: One event was his own death and resurrection ( Mark 8:31 ; 9:31 ; 10:33–34 ). This had already happened before the Gospels were written. Loving Others 12 Jesus said that loving your neighbor is the second most important commandment in the Old Testament ( Mark 12:31 ). The command to love sums up the entire Old Testament law ( Matthew 22:40 ; compare 7:12 ; 9:9–13 ; 12:...
See all (20)
Compassionate Healer 11 The New Testament often describes Jesus as someone who "had compassion." This phrase is sometimes translated as "felt sorry" or "took pity." It appears in complex situations where: Little Faith 9 The Greek term translated as "little faith" and related terms appear five times in the Gospel of Matthew ( Matthew 6:30 ; 8:26 ; 14:31 ; 16:8 ; 17:20 ). It also appears once in Luke ( Luke 12:28 ; compare James 1:6–7... The Messiah 9 The Greek word christos has the same meaning as the Hebrew word mashiakh. It means "anointed one" (or "chosen one"). Both words translate as "Messiah" or "Christ." In the Bible, the Messiah is someone chosen by God fo... Citizenship in the Kingdom 9 First-century Jews wanted a king like David or leader like Judas Maccabeus to defeat their oppressors. Jesus' idea of the kingdom of God was very different from these hopes ( Matthew 5:43–48 ). The Gospel of Matthew s... Persecution 8 Persecution refers to systematic mistreatment, harassment, or oppression of an individual or group because of their identity, beliefs, or practices. In religious contexts specifically, persecution involves the targeti... The Blessings of Jesus 7 The Beatitudes are the blessings Jesus gave to his followers. They get their name from the word beati (which means blessed) in the Latin translation of the Bible (the Vulgate). No single word can fully express what Je... The Old Realm and the New 7 The Jewish people in Paul's time saw a clear difference between the "present evil age" and a "glorious age to come." Throughout Romans 5–8 , Paul uses these contrasting "realms" or "kingdoms" to explain our experience... Eating Together 7 For the Pharisees and other practicing Jews, eating meals together was a religious event. Righteous Jews followed many rules to avoid ceremonial pollution during meals. They did this to show their commitment to the la... The Resurrection of Jesus 7 The Bible clearly describes how Jesus physically rose from the dead through God's power. However, many other explanations have been suggested: Jesus did not actually die. He fainted and later woke up in a cold tomb. S... The Son of God 7 Jesus' healings, exorcisms (casting out demons), raising the dead, and teachings resulted in wonder, awe, amazement, and fear (for example, Mark 1:22 , 27 ; 4:41 ; 5:15 , 20 , 33 ; 7:37 ; 9:15 ; 10:24 , 26 , 32 ; 12:1... Fishing in Galilee 7 Jesus' knowledge of fishing is obvious in the four Gospels. He used fishing in his stories to teach people ( Matthew 7:10 ; 13:47–51 ). When Jesus called his first followers, he told them, "I will make you fishers of... Darkness and Light 6 Darkness means there is no light. There was no light until God commanded it to appear. He then separated light from darkness ( Genesis 1:2 , 4–5 , 18 ). The ninth plague he sent against Egypt was three days of deep da...

Related Articles

Outline

Use of the Old Testament in Matthew

72 quotations from 13 Old Testament books

Total quotations 72
Connected books 13
Most-connected book Deuteronomy 17

All References

Matthew OT Passage Compare
Matthew 1:23 Isaiah 7:14
Compare
OT Text
  • Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will be with child and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel.
NT Text
  • Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel” (which
Matthew 2:6 Micah 5:2
Compare
OT Text
  • But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel — One whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity.
NT Text
  • But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah, for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of My people Israel
Matthew 2:15 Hosea 11:1
Compare
OT Text
  • When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son.
NT Text
  • This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called My Son
Matthew 2:18 Jeremiah 31:15
Compare
OT Text
  • This is what the LORD says: “A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”
NT Text
  • A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more
Matthew 3:3 Isaiah 40:3
Compare
OT Text
  • A voice of one calling: “Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert.
NT Text
  • A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him
Matthew 4:4 Deuteronomy 8:3
Compare
OT Text
  • He humbled you, and in your hunger He gave you manna to eat, which neither you nor your fathers had known, so that you might understand that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.
NT Text
  • Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God
Matthew 4:6 Psalm 91:11–12
Compare
OT Text
  • For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. They will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
NT Text
  • He will command His angels concerning You, and they will lift You up in their hands, so that You will not strike Your foot against a stone
Matthew 4:7 Deuteronomy 6:16
Compare
OT Text
  • Do not test the LORD your God as you tested Him at Massah.
NT Text
  • Do not put the Lord your God to the test
Matthew 4:10 Deuteronomy 6:13
Compare
OT Text
  • Fear the LORD your God, serve Him only, and take your oaths in His name.
NT Text
  • Worship the Lord your God and serve Him
Matthew 4:15 Isaiah 9:1
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OT Text
  • Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those in distress. In the past He humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future He will honor the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations:
NT Text
  • Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles
Matthew 4:16 Isaiah 9:2
Compare
OT Text
  • The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.
NT Text
  • the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned
Matthew 5:21 Exodus 20:13
Compare
OT Text
  • You shall not murder.
NT Text
  • Do not murder
Matthew 5:21 Deuteronomy 5:17
Compare
OT Text
  • You shall not murder.
NT Text
  • Do not murder
Matthew 5:27 Exodus 20:14
Compare
OT Text
  • You shall not commit adultery.
NT Text
  • Do not commit adultery
Matthew 5:27 Deuteronomy 5:18
Compare
OT Text
  • You shall not commit adultery.
NT Text
  • Do not commit adultery
Matthew 5:31 Deuteronomy 24:1
Compare
OT Text
  • If a man marries a woman, but she becomes displeasing to him because he finds some indecency in her, he may write her a certificate of divorce, hand it to her, and send her away from his house.
NT Text
  • must give her a certificate of divorce
Matthew 5:33 Exodus 20:7
Compare
OT Text
  • You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave anyone unpunished who takes His name in vain.
NT Text
  • Do not break your oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord
Matthew 5:33 Leviticus 19:12
Compare
OT Text
  • You must not swear falsely by My name and so profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.
NT Text
  • Do not break your oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord
Matthew 5:38 Exodus 21:24
Compare
OT Text
  • eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,
NT Text
  • Eye for eye and tooth for tooth
Matthew 5:38 Leviticus 24:20
Compare
OT Text
  • fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. Just as he injured the other person, the same must be inflicted on him.
NT Text
  • Eye for eye and tooth for tooth
Matthew 5:38 Deuteronomy 19:21
Compare
OT Text
  • You must show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, and foot for foot.
NT Text
  • Eye for eye and tooth for tooth
Matthew 5:43 Leviticus 19:18
Compare
OT Text
  • Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.
NT Text
  • Love your neighbor
Matthew 8:17 Isaiah 53:4
Compare
OT Text
  • Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows; yet we considered Him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted.
NT Text
  • He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases
Matthew 9:13 Hosea 6:6
Compare
OT Text
  • For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
NT Text
  • I desire mercy, not sacrifice
Matthew 10:35–36 Micah 7:6
Compare
OT Text
  • For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man’s enemies are the members of his own household.
NT Text
  • a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law A man’s enemies will be the members of his own household
Matthew 11:10 Malachi 3:1
Compare
OT Text
  • “Behold, I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple—the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight—see, He is coming,” says the LORD of Hosts.
NT Text
  • This is the one about whom it is written: ‘Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way before You
Matthew 12:7 Hosea 6:6
Compare
OT Text
  • For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
NT Text
  • I desire mercy, not sacrifice
Matthew 12:18 Isaiah 42:1
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OT Text
  • “Here is My Servant, whom I uphold, My Chosen One, in whom My soul delights. I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will bring justice to the nations.
NT Text
  • My Servant, whom I have chosen, My beloved, in whom My soul delights. I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will proclaim justice to the nations
Matthew 12:19 Isaiah 42:2
Compare
OT Text
  • He will not cry out or raise His voice, nor make His voice heard in the streets.
NT Text
  • He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear His voice in the streets
Matthew 12:20 Isaiah 42:3
Compare
OT Text
  • A bruised reed He will not break and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forth justice.
NT Text
  • A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish, till He leads justice to victory
Matthew 12:21 Isaiah 42:4
Compare
OT Text
  • He will not grow weak or discouraged before He has established justice on the earth. In His law the islands will put their hope.”
NT Text
  • In His name the nations will put their hope
Matthew 12:40 Jonah 1:17
Compare
OT Text
  • Now the LORD had appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah spent three days and three nights in the belly of the fish.
NT Text
  • Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so
Matthew 13:14–15 Isaiah 6:9–10
Compare
OT Text
  • And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”
NT Text
  • You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them
Matthew 13:35 Psalm 78:2
Compare
OT Text
  • I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the beginning,
NT Text
  • I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden since the foundation of the world
Matthew 15:4 Exodus 20:12
Compare
OT Text
  • Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.
NT Text
  • Honor your father and mother
Matthew 15:4 Deuteronomy 5:16
Compare
OT Text
  • Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that your days may be long and that it may go well with you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.
NT Text
  • Honor your father and mother
Matthew 15:8–9 Isaiah 29:13
Compare
OT Text
  • Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men.
NT Text
  • These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men
Matthew 18:16 Deuteronomy 19:15
Compare
OT Text
  • A lone witness is not sufficient to establish any wrongdoing or sin against a man, regardless of what offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
NT Text
  • every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses
Matthew 19:4 Genesis 1:27
Compare
OT Text
  • So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
NT Text
  • Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female
Matthew 19:4 Genesis 5:2
Compare
OT Text
  • Male and female He created them, and He blessed them. And in the day they were created, He called them “man.”
NT Text
  • Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female
Matthew 19:5 Genesis 2:24
Compare
OT Text
  • For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
NT Text
  • For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh
Matthew 19:7 Deuteronomy 24:1
Compare
OT Text
  • If a man marries a woman, but she becomes displeasing to him because he finds some indecency in her, he may write her a certificate of divorce, hand it to her, and send her away from his house.
NT Text
  • to give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away
Matthew 19:18 Exodus 20:13
Compare
OT Text
  • You shall not murder.
NT Text
  • Do not murder
Matthew 19:18 Exodus 20:14
Compare
OT Text
  • You shall not commit adultery.
NT Text
  • do not commit adultery
Matthew 19:18 Exodus 20:15
Compare
OT Text
  • You shall not steal.
NT Text
  • do not steal
Matthew 19:18 Exodus 20:16
Compare
OT Text
  • You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
NT Text
  • do not bear false witness
Matthew 19:18 Deuteronomy 5:17
Compare
OT Text
  • You shall not murder.
NT Text
  • Do not murder
Matthew 19:18 Deuteronomy 5:18
Compare
OT Text
  • You shall not commit adultery.
NT Text
  • do not commit adultery
Matthew 19:18 Deuteronomy 5:19
Compare
OT Text
  • You shall not steal.
NT Text
  • do not steal
Matthew 19:18 Deuteronomy 5:20
Compare
OT Text
  • You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
NT Text
  • do not bear false witness
Matthew 19:19 Exodus 20:12
Compare
OT Text
  • Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.
NT Text
  • honor your father and mother
Matthew 19:19 Leviticus 19:18
Compare
OT Text
  • Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.
NT Text
  • love your neighbor as yourself
Matthew 19:19 Deuteronomy 5:16
Compare
OT Text
  • Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that your days may be long and that it may go well with you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.
NT Text
  • honor your father and mother
Matthew 21:5 Zechariah 9:9
Compare
OT Text
  • Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
NT Text
  • to the Daughter of Zion, ‘See, your King comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey
Matthew 21:9 Psalm 118:26
Compare
OT Text
  • Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. From the house of the LORD we bless you.
NT Text
  • Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord
Matthew 21:13 Isaiah 56:7
Compare
OT Text
  • I will bring them to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on My altar, for My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations.”
NT Text
  • My house will be called a house of prayer
Matthew 21:16 Psalm 8:2
Compare
OT Text
  • From the mouths of children and infants You have ordained praise on account of Your adversaries, to silence the enemy and avenger.
NT Text
  • Yes,” Jesus answered. “Have you never read: ‘From the mouths of children and infants You have ordained praise
Matthew 21:33 Isaiah 5:1
Compare
OT Text
  • I will sing for my beloved a song of his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill.
NT Text
  • planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it, and built a tower
Matthew 21:42 Psalm 118:22–23
Compare
OT Text
  • The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is from the LORD, and it is marvelous in our eyes.
NT Text
  • The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes
Matthew 22:23–24 Deuteronomy 25:5
Compare
OT Text
  • When brothers dwell together and one of them dies without a son, the widow must not marry outside the family. Her husband’s brother is to take her as his wife and fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law for her.
NT Text
  • the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus and questioned Him Teacher,” they said, “Moses declared that if a man dies without having children, his brother is to marry the widow and raise up offspring for him
Matthew 22:32 Exodus 3:6
Compare
OT Text
  • Then He said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
NT Text
  • I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not
Matthew 22:32 Exodus 3:15
Compare
OT Text
  • God also told Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’ This is My name forever, and this is how I am to be remembered in every generation.
NT Text
  • I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not
Matthew 22:37 Deuteronomy 6:5
Compare
OT Text
  • And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
NT Text
  • Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
Matthew 22:39 Leviticus 19:18
Compare
OT Text
  • Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.
NT Text
  • Love your neighbor as yourself
Matthew 22:43–44 Psalm 110:1
Compare
OT Text
  • The LORD said to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”
NT Text
  • does David in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord’? For he says The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand until I put Your enemies under Your feet
Matthew 23:39 Psalm 118:26
Compare
OT Text
  • Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. From the house of the LORD we bless you.
NT Text
  • Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord
Matthew 24:30 Daniel 7:13
Compare
OT Text
  • In my vision in the night I continued to watch, and I saw One like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence.
NT Text
  • heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds
Matthew 26:31 Zechariah 13:7
Compare
OT Text
  • Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, against the man who is My Companion, declares the LORD of Hosts. Strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn My hand against the little ones.
NT Text
  • I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered
Matthew 26:64 Psalm 110:1
Compare
OT Text
  • The LORD said to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”
NT Text
  • sitting at the right hand of Power
Matthew 26:64 Daniel 7:13
Compare
OT Text
  • In my vision in the night I continued to watch, and I saw One like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence.
NT Text
  • But I say to all of you, from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven
Matthew 27:9–10 Zechariah 11:12–13
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OT Text
  • Then I told them, “If it seems right to you, give me my wages; but if not, keep them.” So they weighed out my wages, thirty pieces of silver. And the LORD said to me, “Throw it to the potter”—this magnificent price at which they valued me. So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them to the potter in the house of the LORD.
NT Text
  • They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price set on Him and they gave them for the potter’s field, as
Matthew 27:46 Psalm 22:1
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OT Text
  • My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Why are You so far from saving me, so far from my words of groaning?
NT Text
  • About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me