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 Chapter 20 presents two significant teachings of Jesus that reveal the nature of God's kingdom and the path to greatness within it. The chapter begins with the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard, in which Jesus illustrates the radical nature of God's grace and generosity. The parable describes a landowner who hires laborers at different times throughout the day, yet pays them all the same wage. This scenario creates tension among those who worked longer hours, who feel entitled to more pay. However, the landowner’s response emphasizes that his actions are rooted in his own generosity, challenging the expectations of fairness rooted in human understanding. The parable ultimately teaches that the last will be first and the first last, highlighting the reversal of human values in the kingdom of heaven. Following this parable, Jesus predicts his impending suffering and death for the third time, revealing the fate that awaits him in Jerusalem. He speaks to his disciples about being delivered to the chief priests and condemned to death, emphasizing the inevitability of his sacrifice. In an ironic turn, the chapter also features a request from the mother of James and John, who seeks positions of honor for her sons in Jesus' kingdom. Jesus uses this moment to teach about true greatness, emphasizing that leadership in his kingdom is defined by servanthood rather than status or power. The chapter invites readers to reflect on the nature of God's kingdom, the grace extended to all, and the call to serve others selflessly.

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.