Matthew
Jesus as the king Israel was waiting for, told for readers who knew Israel's Scriptures well.
Who wrote it
The book doesn't name its author. Church tradition from the second century credits Matthew, the tax collector who became one of the twelve. Many scholars question this.
Who it was for
Most likely a community of Jewish believers, perhaps in Syria (Antioch is often suggested), working out where they stood with the synagogue.
When it happens
Herod the Great, then his sons, ruled for Rome. Judea later came under a Roman governor. Hopes for a coming king ran high.
How to read it
An ancient biography with a purpose. Watch the five long teaching sections and the many "this was to fulfill" quotations.
Map: Bethlehem to Galilee
Open mapThe story starts in Bethlehem, detours to Egypt, settles in Galilee around the lake, then turns south to Jerusalem.
Timeline
Open timelineIn order, not to scale.
Jesus is the king Israel was waiting for, and his kingdom (basileia) is arriving in ways no one expected.
- Kingdom of heaven
- Fulfillment
- Righteousness
- Discipleship
- God with us
Who’s who
Jesus
From Nazareth in Galilee. Matthew presents him as the Messiah from David's line, and as "God with us."
- Parents: Joseph, Mary
- Siblings: James, Joses, Jude, Simon
- Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28
Mary
Engaged to Joseph when she is found to be pregnant. Matthew tells the birth story from Joseph's side.
- Parents: Heli
- Married to: Joseph
- Children: Jude, Jesus, Simon, Joses, James
- Chapters: 1, 2, 13
Joseph
Mary's husband, from David's line. Guided by dreams, he protects the child and his mother.
- Parents: Jacob
- Married to: Mary
- Children: Jude, Jesus, Simon, Joses, James
- Chapters: 1, 2
Herod the Great
Rome's client king over Judea. A great builder, and ruthless toward anyone who threatened his throne.
- Children: Philip, Archelaus, Philip, Herod Antipas
- Chapters: 2
John the Baptist
A prophet in the wilderness who calls people to repent and baptizes them in the Jordan.
- Parents: Zacharias, Elisabeth
- Chapters: 3, 4, 9, 11, 14, 16, 17, 21
Simon Peter
A fisherman from Galilee, the first disciple called and the most prominent of the twelve.
- Parents: Jonas
- Siblings: Andrew
- Chapters: 4, 8, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 26
Family links and chapters: Theographic Bible Metadata, CC BY-SA 4.0. About our sources