How to Read Matthew

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Anybody who has looked over an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) form knows what tax col- lectors like: neat, orderly rows of figures, with all expenses and income classified by type and source. Fittingly, the Gospel attributed to former tax collector Matthew reflects system- atic, ledger-sheet thinking. He doesn't tell Jesus'story chronologically; he groups facts topically.

Matthew collects Jesus' sayings in five main places. First comes the famous Sermon on the Mount in chapters 5-7. Chapter 10 records Jesus' instructions to his disciples about their mission; chapter 13, a series of parables on the kingdom; chapter 18, Christ's words on the church as a community; and chapters 23-25, Jesus' thoughts on religious hypocrisy and his predictions of the future. Sandwiched in among these five great discourses you'll findconnected scenes of Jesus in action. 

The skillful blending of Jesus' action and teaching has helped earn this Gospel an esteemed place in literature. Artists are often drawn to it as a capsule summary of Jesus ministry: witness J.S.Bach's greatest choral work, Saint Matthews Passion, the joyous play Godspell, and Italian film maker Pasolini's film The Gospel according to Saint Matthew. The French skeptic Renan praised Matthew as "the most important book of Christendom - the most important book that has ever been written." 

Two approaches will help in a detailed study of Matthew. First, consider how it differs from the other three Gospels; this will give you some idea of Matthew's distinctive purpose. Then, you will find it enlightening to look up many of Matthew's references to the Old Testament. Most are cited in the NIV footnotes. 

PEOPLE YOU'LL MEET IN MATTHEW

JOSEPH 
JOHN THE BAPTIST 
THE HERODS

3-TRACK READING PLAN

TRACK 1:
Two-Week Courses on the BibleThe Track 1 reading program on the Life and Teachings of Jesus includes four chapters from Matthew.

An Overview of Matthew in 7 Days

TRACK 2:
□ Day 1.Read the Introduction to Matthew. Then turn to Matthew 5 and begin the Sermon on the Mount.

□ Day 2. Read chapter 6, a continuation of Jesus longest single speech, perhaps the most familiar passage in the entire Bible.

□ Day 3. Matthew 13 records some of Jesus' parables - concise stories with a
powerful meaning behind them. Read these parables about the "kingdom of
heaven," referring to "What Should a Leader Look Like?"

□ Day 4. As a former tax collector, Matthew was especially sensitive to what Jesus had to say about money. Read his comments on this and other topics in Chapter 19.

□ Day 5. The last three chapters of Matthew give a complete, factual account of Jesus death. Read chapter 26, the story of the arrest and trial.

□ Day 6.Continue the crucifixion story with chapter 27.

□ Day 7. Read chapter 28, which tells of Jesus'resurrection.

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