Background

The Gospel of Matthew is one of the four gospels in the New Testament, traditionally attributed to Matthew, a former tax collector and one of Jesus’ twelve apostles. In the Old Testament, the Kingdom had been promised and prophesied. The gospels are about the beginning of the fulfilment of this promise, though in some unexpected ways. The first three gospels are called the ‘synoptic’ gospels (from a word meaning ‘seeing together’) because they deal with very similar material from comparable points of view. Written primarily for a Jewish audience, Matthew emphasises how Jesus fulfils the Old Testament prophecies, presenting him as the Messiah. The gospel was likely composed in the late 1st century, possibly between 70 and 90 AD, in a context where the early Christian community was navigating relations with both Jewish traditions and the expanding Gentile audience.

Key Themes

Kingdom and Covenant: all the gospels focus on the coming of the Kingdom, but this theme is particularly emphasized in Matthew, where Jesus is presented as the King. Written primarily for a Jewish audience, Matthew introduces Jesus as both the son of Abraham, linking him to God’s covenant promise, and the son of David, highlighting the theme of the Kingdom of God. Throughout the gospel, Matthew frequently notes instances where events occur ‘to fulfil what was prophesied’ and so highlights that Jesus is the fulfilment of the promise. While the text is directed mainly at Jews, it also hints at the expansion of the Kingdom to encompass other nations, exemplified by the account of the Roman centurion, for example.

Rethinking Law: this gospel also recounts how Jesus challenges his listeners’ perception of the Law and reinterprets their understanding of God’s moral demands on people. Jesus does not abolish the Law but rather fulfils it. There is some uncertainty about what the full implications of this fulfilment are, but it is clear from what he says in the Sermon on the Mount that God is not just looking for some outward observance of a list of rules. He is looking for a change of heart, of the inner person. We also see here the beginnings of the fulfilment of that new covenant that Jeremiah had prophesied about the law being written on our hearts (Jeremiah 31:33).

The Sermon on the Mount is the first of five main bodies of teaching that form the basis for the structure of Matthew:

• Sermon on the Mount (5-7)
• Commissioning of the Twelve (10)
• Parables of the Kingdom (13)
• The Church and Forgiveness (18)
• Judgment and the End of the Age (23-25)

Fulfilling God’s Plan: in between these teaching sections, Jesus demonstrates the power of the Kingdom through healing the sick, driving our demons and performing miracles. By doing this, and by some of the things he claims and teaches, Jesus is constantly challenging and upsetting the religious teachers and leaders of his day. It is they who plot to have him killed, but in doing so they are made to serve God’s ultimate purpose and plan. His death and resurrection are followed by the great commission to his followers to go and make disciples of all nations. God’s plan to bless the world and have a people who are like him filling the earth is going to be fulfilled through the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The message for today

For Christians today, the Gospel of Matthew issues a powerful call to live as true disciples of Jesus, embodying the values of the Kingdom of Heaven in a world often driven by self-interest, division, and materialism. Jesus’ teachings in the Sermon on the Mount challenge believers to pursue a righteousness that goes beyond mere rule-keeping, calling them to live with integrity, mercy, and radical love, even love for their enemies (Matthew 5:44). The gospel also reassures Christians that God is faithful to his promises, just as he fulfilled his covenant with Israel through Jesus the Messiah. In an age of uncertainty, Matthew’s emphasis on God’s presence – from the prophecy of ‘Emmanuel’ (Matthew 1:23) to Jesus’ promise, ‘I am with you always‘ (Matthew 28:20) – offers deep comfort and assurance. Furthermore, the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19–20) reminds Christians of their calling to share the good news, making disciples of all nations and extending God’s love beyond cultural and national boundaries. In a world where people still long for justice, peace, and purpose, Matthew’s gospel presents Jesus as the true King, whose kingdom is marked not by power or dominance but by humility, service, and sacrificial love.

the different kingdom lens

The Gospel of Matthew challenges worldly expectations and calls for a radical reorientation of life. Unlike earthly kingdoms built on power, wealth, and status, Jesus presents a kingdom of humility, service, and sacrifice. The Sermon on the Mount overturns conventional wisdom, teaching that the poor in spirit, the meek, and the persecuted are truly blessed, not the powerful or self-sufficient. This vision of the kingdom directly confronts cultural values that prize success, self-preservation, and domination, calling instead for radical forgiveness, enemy love, and trust in God’s provision.

At the heart of Matthew’s gospel is a cross-centered message, the idea that Jesus’ kingship is inseparable from his suffering and self-giving love. Unlike the expected military Messiah, Jesus is the servant-king, who enters Jerusalem not on a warhorse but on a donkey (Matthew 21:5), fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy of the suffering servant. His victory comes not through conquest but through the cross, where he lays down his life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28). This upside-down vision of the kingdom challenges Christians to follow the different kingdom path, embracing lives of self-denial, servant-heartedness, and courageous faith.

Going Deeper:

There are excellent video overviews of the gospel of Matthew here and here at BibleProject.