Purpose

To present Jesus as the promised Messiah and King, especially to Jewish readers.

Author

Matthew, also called Levi, was a tax collector before Jesus called him. As a tax collector, he was skilled in record-keeping and would have been literate in multiple languages, making him perfect to write for Jewish audiences.

Historical Context

Written: 50-70 AD. Written to show Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.

Significance

Bridges the Old and New Testaments, showing Jesus as the promised Messiah and King.

Key Themes

Jesus as Messiah, Kingdom of Heaven, Fulfillment of Prophecy, Discipleship, Great Commission

Interesting Facts

• Matthew quotes the Old Testament more than any other Gospel (over 60 times)
• The phrase 'Kingdom of Heaven' appears 32 times - only in Matthew
• Matthew includes 5 major teaching sections, paralleling the 5 books of Moses

Prophecies

• Over 300 Old Testament prophecies fulfilled in Jesus Fulfilled: Jesus fulfilled every Messianic prophecy perfectly

Matthew 19 marks a significant transition in Jesus' ministry as He moves from Galilee to Judea, attracting large crowds and healing many. The chapter opens with the Pharisees testing Jesus on the lawfulness of divorce, a contentious issue in Jewish society. Jesus responds by emphasizing the original design of marriage as a sacred union created by God, asserting that divorce was permitted due to the hardness of human hearts but was not part of God's intention from the beginning. He articulates that remarriage after divorce, except for sexual immorality, constitutes adultery, which leaves His disciples astonished and questioning the value of marriage. Jesus’ teaching elevates the sanctity of marriage and challenges cultural norms regarding divorce. Following this, the chapter shifts to Jesus welcoming children, indicating that the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. His disciples, initially rebuffing the children, learn from Jesus' example of inclusivity and love. The narrative then introduces a rich young ruler who approaches Jesus seeking eternal life. Jesus engages him in a discussion about the commandments, and when the young man claims he has kept them all, Jesus challenges him to sell his possessions and follow Him. This interaction highlights the difficulty of prioritizing spiritual pursuits over material wealth. The chapter concludes with a powerful message about the challenges of wealth in the pursuit of eternal life, emphasizing that what is impossible for man is possible with God. Overall, Matthew 19 combines profound teachings on marriage, the value of childlike faith, and the radical call to discipleship, inviting readers to reassess their priorities in light of the kingdom of God.

The second part of the Bible, written after Jesus came to earth, containing 27 books that tell the story of Jesus's life, death, resurrection, and the early Christian church.

Purpose

To show us who Jesus is, how to have a relationship with God, and how to live as followers of Christ in the world today.

Significance

The New Testament is where we meet Jesus personally and learn how His love changes everything! It shows us the fulfillment of God's promises and how to live in relationship with Him.

The four accounts of Jesus Christ's life, death, and resurrection, each written from a unique perspective to show different aspects of who Jesus is.

Purpose

To present Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, providing the foundation for Christian faith and the good news of salvation.

Significance

These books are the heart of the Christian faith, showing us who Jesus is, what He accomplished through His death and resurrection, and how we can have eternal life through faith in Him.