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The Gospel of Matthew
Gospels are books of the Bible about Jesus's life, death, and resurrection.
The first Gospel written was the Gospel of Mark. But the Gospel of Matthew
is felt to be the most important.
Matthew (also called Levi) was one of the 12 apostles of Jesus Christ.
He wrote this book of the Bible in about 60 - 65 A.D.
Matthew was a tax collector. At that time, tax collectors were looked down on.
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Matthew 1
The genealogy of Jesus
Jesus Christ was a descendant of David and Abraham.
Abraham was the father of Isaac. Isaac was the father of Jacob.
Jacob was the father of Judas and his brothers.
Judas was the father of Phares and Zara of Thamar. Phares was the father
of Esrom. Esrom was the father of Aram.
Aram was the father of Aminadab. Aminadab was the father of Nasson.
Nasson was the father of Salmon.
[2] Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;
[3] And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;
[4] And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon;
Salmon was the father of Boaz who was from Rachab. Boaz was the father of Obed (Obed's mother was Ruth). Obed was the father of Jesse.
Jesse was the father of David the king. David was the father of Solomon (Solomon's mother was Bathsheba who had been married to Uriah).
[5] And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;
[6] And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;
Solomon was the father of Roboam. Roboam was the father of Abia. Abia was the father of Asa.
Asa was the father of Josaphat. Josaphat was the father of Joram. Joram was the father of Ozias.
[7] And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa;
[8] And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias;
Ozias was the father of Joatham. Joatham was the father of Achaz. Achas was the father of Ezekias.
Ezekias was the father of Manasses. Manasses was the father of Amon. Amon was the father of Josias.
Josias was the father of Jechoniaa and his brothers. This was the time when the Jews were taken away to Babylon.
[9] And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias;
[10] And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias;
[11] And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon:
After they got to Babylon, Jechonias became the father of Salatheil. Salathiel was the father of Zorobabel.
Zorobabel was the father of Abiud. Abiud was the father of Eliakim. Eliakim was the father of Azor.
Azor was the father of Sadoc. Sadoc was the father of Achim. Achim was the father of Eliud.
[12] And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel;
[13] And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor;
[14] And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud;
Eliud was the father of Eleazar. Eleazar was the father of Matthan. Matthan was the father of Jacob.
Jacob was the father of Joseph. His wife was Mary. She was the mother of Jesus Christ.
[15] And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob;
[16] And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
There were 14 generations from Abraham to David. From David until the Jews were taken to Babylon, there were 14 generations. From the time the Jews were taken to Babylon until Jesus Christ was born, there were 14 generations.
[17] So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.
Mary becomes pregnant.
This is how Jesus Christ was born.
His mother, Mary, was engaged to Joseph. They
did not have sexual relations, but she became pregnant. She was pregnant
with the child of the Holy Spirit. Joseph was a good man. He did not want
people to look down on Mary because she was pregnant. He planned to
quietly break up with her.
[18] Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was
espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the
Holy Ghost.
[19] Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a
publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
While Joseph was thinking about this, he saw the
angel of the Lord in a dream. The angel told him that he should not be
afraid. He should get married to Mary. Her baby is by the Holy
Spirit.
[20] But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord
appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to
take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy
Ghost.
The angel told Joseph that Mary will have a son.
They should name him Jesus. He will save people from their sins. This is
all being done to fulfill a prophecy. In the past, the prophets said that
a virgin will get pregnant. She will have a son. Her son will be
called Emmanuel. Emmanuel means "God with us".
[21] And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he
shall save his people from their sins.
[22] Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the
Lord by the prophet, saying,
[23] Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they
shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
After Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord
told him to do. He married Mary. He did not have sexual relations with her until
after she had the baby. The baby was named Jesus.
[24] Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden
him, and took unto him his wife:
[25] And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he
called his name JESUS.
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The Wise Men follow the star From LaVista Church of Christ |
Matthew 2
Wise Men look for the baby Jesus.
Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem in the area of Judaea. At that time, the king was Herod. When Jesus was born, wise men came from the east to Jerusalem. They asked where the King of the Jews was born. They said they had seen His star in the eastern sky, and they came to worship Him.
[1] Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
[2] Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
King Herod heard about this. He was upset and worried. All of Jerusalem was worried, too.
[3] When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
Herod brought the chief priests and scribes together. He demanded that they tell him where Christ would be born. They said that it was Bethlehem in Judea. The prophets had written that a long time ago. This is what the prophets had written: "Bethlehem in the area of Judea, you are important to the leaders of Judah. There will be someone who comes from you. He will be the leader, and he will rule God's people, Israel."
[4] And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
[5] And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
[6] And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
Herod called the wise men to come to him privately. He asked them repeatedly what time they had seen the star. He sent them to Bethlehem. He told them to search hard for the young child. When they find Him, they should send him a message. He said he will go worship the child with them.
[7] Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
[8] And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
They heard the king, and then they left. The same star that they saw in the east was in front of them. It moved with them until it stopped over where the young child was.
[9] When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
When they saw the star, they were very happy and rejoiced.
[10] When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
Frankincense is a resin from a tree. It
smells very good, and it is used in perfume. For more than 5,000
years, people in the Middle East have valued frankincense, and they
use it to trade.
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Myrrh is also resin from a tree that smells very good. It is also
used in salves to help wounds heal.
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They went into the house and saw the young child with
His mother, Mary. They fell down on their knees and worshiped Jesus.
They opened the gifts they brought and gave them to Jesus. The gifts were
gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
[11] And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary
his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their
treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
God warned the Wise Men. In a dream, He told them they
should not go back to Herod. So they left to go back to their own country.
They went a different way to avoid Herod.
[12] And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod,
they departed into their own country another way.
After the Wise Men left, the angel of the Lord told Joseph what to do. The angel
appeared to Joseph in a dream. He told Joseph to get up and take Jesus and
Mary to Egypt. That is because Herod will try to find Jesus and kill Him.
They should stay in Egypt until the angel tells them to leave.
[13] And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to
Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and
flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek
the young child to destroy him.
Joseph got up and took Mary and Jesus to Egypt while it
was still dark.
[14] When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and
departed into Egypt:
They stayed in Egypt until Herod died. That
fulfilled the prophecy that said, "Out of Egypt I have called my son." (That was
in Hosea 11:1)
[15] And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which
was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my
son.
Herod was mad about the Wise Men. He felt they mocked
him by not coming back. He was very angry. He made an order to kill all children
in Bethlehem who were 2 years old and younger.
[16] Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding
wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in
all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time
which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.
This fulfilled another prophecy. This prophecy was from
Jeremiah. (Jeremiah 31:15). This prophecy said, " In Rama was there a
voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for
her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not."
[17] Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,
[18] In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great
mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because
they are not.
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Jesus, Mary,
and Joseph travel to Egypt |
After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared to
Joseph in a dream. Joseph was still in Egypt. The angel told Joseph to get
up and take Jesus and Mary back to Israel. The angel said
that the one who wanted Jesus dead is now dead.
[19] But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream
to Joseph in Egypt,
[20] Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the
land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life.
Joseph got up and took Jesus and Mary back to Israel.
[21] And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the
land of Israel.
Joseph heard that Herod's son, Archelaus, was now the
king. He was afraid to go to the area of Judaea. He had another dream, and
God warned him. So, he went to the area of Galilee. They went to live in
the a city called Nazareth. That fulfilled another prophecy that said, "He
shall be called a Nazarene."
[22] But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his
father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God
in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:
[23] And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled
which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.
Matthew 3
John the Baptist baptizes Jesus.
At that time, John the Baptist was preaching in the wilderness in the area of Judaea. He told the people they should repent because the kingdom of heaven is coming soon.
[1] In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
[2] And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
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John baptized
people in the Jordan River |
John was the person that the prophet Isaiah talked
about. In Isaiah (Isaiah 40:3), he said, "The voice of one crying in the
wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths straight."
[3] For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice
of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths
straight.
John wore clothes made with camel's hair. He wore
a leather strap around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey.
[4] And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle
about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
Many people from Jerusalem and Judaea went out to see
John. They confessed their sins, and he baptized them in the Jordan River.
[5] Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round
about Jordan,
[6] And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
John saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to
his baptisms. He told them they were like snakes. He asked them who
warned them to run away from the trouble that's coming.
He told them they should sincerely repent of their sins.
[7] But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he
said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the
wrath to come?
[8] Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
John told the Pharisees and Sadducees that they should
not say, "Our father is Abraham." He said that God could even make the rocks
into children of Abraham. An ax can cut the root of trees. Any tree that does
not produce good fruit is thrown into the fire.
[9] And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I
say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto
Abraham.
[10] And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every
tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
John says he baptizes people with water when they
repent of their sins. But the One who will come after him, is stronger than him.
John sais he is not worthy to carry His shoes. He will baptize with the
Holy Ghost and fire. He will hold a wheat threshing tool. He will separate the
good wheat from the worthless chaff. The chaff will be burned in the fire.
[11] I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after
me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you
with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
[12] Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather
his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
Then Jesus came from Galilee. He came to the
Jordan River so that John could baptize Him.
[13] Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
John said no. He said that Jesus should baptize him
instead. He asked Jesus why He came to him.
[14] But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest
thou to me?
Jesus said he should baptize Him because it is the
right thing to do for now. So, John baptized Jesus.
[15] And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it
becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
John baptized Jesus. When Jesus came up out of
the water, the heavens opened. He saw the Spirit of God coming down
like a dove and landing on Him. A voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved
Son. I am very pleased with Him."
[16] And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and,
lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending
like a dove, and lighting upon him:
[17] And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am
well pleased.
Matthew 4
The devil tempts Jesus in the wilderness.
The Holy Spirit led Jesus to the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
[1] Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
Jesus fasted and did not eat for 40 days and 40 nights. After that, He was hungry.
[2] And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
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Jesus refuses
to turn the rocks into bread. |
The devil tempted Jesus. He said, "If you are the
Son of God, say a command for these rocks to become bread."
[3] And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God,
command that these stones be made bread.
Jesus answered. He said, "Man does not live by just
eating bread. Man also needs every word that comes out of God's mouth."
[4] But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Then, the devil took Him up to Jerusalem. He set
Him on the very top of the temple. He said, "If you are the Son of God,
throw yourself down on the ground. The scriptures say that God's angels
will take care of you and their hands will hold you. You won't even hit your
foot on a rock."
[5] Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a
pinnacle of the temple,
[6] And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is
written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands
they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Jesus said, "The scriptures also say that you should not tempt the Lord your
God."
[7] Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy
God.
The devil tempted Him again. He took Him up to a very high mountain. He
showed Him all of the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them. The
devil said he will give all of these to Jesus if Jesus will fall down and
worship him.
[8] Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth
him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
[9] And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall
down and worship me.
Jesus told the devil to get behind Him and leave Him.
He said the scriptures say, "You should worship the Lord God only, and He is the
only one you should serve."
[10] Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou
shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Then the devil left Him. Angels came and helped
Jesus.
[11] Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto
him.
Jesus calls apostles Simon Peter, Andrew,
James, and John.
Jesus heard that John was put into prison.
Then He left for Galilee.
[12] Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into
Galilee;
He left Nazareth and stayed in Capernaum. Capernaum is
by the coast of the sea. It is on the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim.
This fulfills a prophecy by Isaiah. (Isaiah 9:1). The prophecy said, "The land
of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, but the way of the sea, beyond Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentiles. The people that had been in darkness saw a great light.
The people in that area who live in the shadow of death will see light."
[13] And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea
coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:
[14] That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,
[15] The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea,
beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;
[16] The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in
the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.
Jesus started to preach at that time. He told
people to repent of their sins because the kingdom of heaven is close.
[17] From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom
of heaven is at hand.
Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee. He saw
two brothers. One brother was named Simon (he was also called Peter). The
other brother was Andrew. They were fishermen. They were throwing their
nets into the sea to catch fish.
[18] And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called
Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were
fishers.
Jesus told them to follow Him. He said He will make
them catch men instead of fish.
[19] And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
They immediately left their nets and followed Jesus.
[20] And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.
As they went on, Jesus saw 2 more brothers.
They were James (his father's name was Zebedee) and his brother, John.
They were with their father fixing fishing nets. Jesus called them, and
they immediately left the ship and their father and followed Jesus.
[21] And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of
Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending
their nets; and he called them.
[22] And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.
Jesus traveled through all of Galilee. He taught in the
synagogues. He preached the gospel of God's kingdom. He healed all
kinds of sicknesses and diseases that people had.
[23] And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and
preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all
manner of disease among the people.
He became famous through all of Syria. People
brought sick people to Him. They had all different kinds of diseases and
problems. Some were possessed with evil spirits , and some had mental
illnesses. Jesus healed them.
[24] And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick
people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were
possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the
palsy; and he healed them.
Big crowds followed Him. They followed Him from the
areas of Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and from the other side of the
Jordan River.
[25] And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from
Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.
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