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 21 marks a pivotal moment in the Gospel narrative as it recounts Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies and declaring His identity as the Messiah. The chapter opens with Jesus instructing two of His disciples to procure a donkey and its colt, a scene rich in symbolism that echoes Zechariah 9:9, where the coming king is described as humble and riding on a donkey. The act of spreading cloaks and palm branches signifies the people's recognition of Jesus as their king, and their cries of 'Hosanna to the Son of David' reveal their expectation of salvation. However, the narrative quickly shifts as Jesus enters the temple, where He confronts the corruption among the merchants and money-changers. By driving them out, He emphasizes the sanctity of the temple, declaring it to be a house of prayer rather than a den of robbers. In this chapter, the contrast between the joyous welcome of Jesus by the crowds and the indignation of the religious leaders becomes evident. The healing of the blind and lame in the temple further demonstrates His authority and compassion, drawing praise even from children. This provokes the ire of the chief priests and scribes, who question Jesus' acceptance of such worship. Jesus' response highlights both His understanding of Scripture and the divine ordination of praise. The narrative concludes with a symbolic act involving a fig tree, which Jesus curses for its barrenness, serving as a prophetic illustration of the judgment awaiting unfruitful Israel. This chapter is rich with themes of kingship, authority, and the call to spiritual fruitfulness, setting the stage for the events leading to Jesus' crucifixion.

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.