Biblical Commentary

Matthew 1

  • Matthew 1:18-25

    The birth of Jesus (see also Luke 2:1-7). Now the birth of Jesus Christ was like this; for after his mother, Mary, was engaged to Joseph, before they came together, she was found pregnant by the Holy Spirit.

  • Matthew 2:1-12

    The visit of the Wise Men to Jesus (Epiphany). Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and have come to worship him."

  • Matthew 2:13-23

    When the Wise Men had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, "Arise and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him."

  • Matthew 3:13-17

    Jesus' baptism (See also Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22; John 1:29-34). Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. But John would have hindered him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and you come to me?" But Jesus, answering, said to him, "Allow it now, for this is the fitting way for us to fulfill all righteousness."

  • Matthew 3:1-12

    John the Baptist preaches, "Repent!" (See also Matthew 1:2-8; Luke 3:1-20). In those days, John the Baptizer came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!" For this is he who was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, make ready the way of the Lord. Make his paths straight."

  • Matthew 4:1-11

    The devil tempts Jesus (See also Mark 1:12-23; Luke 4:1-13). Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. When he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry afterward. The tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread."

  • Matthew 4:12-23

    Jesus makes his home in Capernaum and preaches "Repent!" (See also Mark 1:14-15; Luke 4:14-15). Walking by the sea of Galilee, Jesus saw two brothers: Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew, his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. He said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers for men."

  • Matthew 5:1-12

    The Beatitudes (See also Luke 6:20-26). Seeing the multitudes, Jesus went up onto the mountain. When he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He opened his mouth and taught them, saying, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven."

  • Matthew 5:13-20

    You are salt and light (5:13-14; see also Mark 9:50; Luke 14:34-35). Unless your righteousness exceeds... (5:17-20). "You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its flavor, with what will it be salted? You are the light of the world. Let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."

  • Matthew 5:21-37

    Anger (5:21-26; see also Luke 12:57-59). Adultery (5:27-30). Divorce (5:31-32; see also Mark 10:11-12; Luke 16:18). Oaths (5:33-37). "You have heard that it was said to the ancient ones, 'You shall not murder;' and 'Whoever shall murder shall be in danger of the judgment.' But I tell you, that everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment."

  • Matthew 5:38-48

    Turn the other cheek (5:38-42 see also Luke 6:29-31). Love enemies (5:43-48; see also Luke 6:27-36). "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' But I tell you, don't resist him who is evil; but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also."

  • Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

    Almsgiving (6:1-4). Prayer (6:5-6; see also Luke 11:2-4). Fasting (6:16-18). Where your treasure is, there will be your heart also (6:19-21; see also Luke 12:33-34). "Don't do your charitable giving before men, to be seen by them, or else you have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. When you do merciful deeds, don't sound a trumpet before yourself, as the hypocrites do––that they may get glory from men. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you do merciful deeds, don't let your left hand know what your right hand does, so that your merciful deeds may be in secret, then your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly."

  • Matthew 6:24-34

    Worry (see also Luke 12:22-31). "Don't be anxious, saying, 'What will we eat?', 'What will we drink?' or, 'With what will we be clothed?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first God's Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well."

  • Matthew 7:21-29

    I never knew you (7:21-23; see also Luke 6:46; 13:26-26). Foundations of rock and sand (7:24-29; see also Luke 6:47-49). "Everyone who hears my words and does them, will be like a wise man, who built his house on a rock. The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it didn't fall, for it was founded on the rock.

  • Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26

    Jesus calls Matthew (9:9-13; see also Mark 2:13-17; Luke 5:27-32) Little girl dies. Woman with hemorrhage. (9:18-26; see also Mark 5:21-43; Luke 8:40-56). Jesus saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax collection office. He said to him, "Follow me." Matthew got up and followed him. The Pharisees said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"

  • Matthew 9:35 – 10:23

    Plentiful harvest, few laborers (9:35-38 ; see also Luke 10:2-3). The Twelve Apostles and their mission (10:1-23; see also Mark 3:13-19; 6:6-13; Luke 6:12-16; 9:1-6). Jesus went about all the cities and the villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people. When he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd.

  • Matthew 10:24-39

    Disciples and masters (10:24-25). Have no fear (10:26-33; see also Luke 12:2-7). I bring, not peace, but a sword (10:34-39; see also Luke 12:51-53; 14:26-27). "He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me isn't worthy of me. He who doesn't take his cross and follow after me, isn't worthy of me. He who seeks his life will lose it; and he who loses his life for my sake will find it."

  • Matthew 10:40-42

    Welcoming prophets and righteous people (see also Mark 9:41). "Whoever gives one of these little ones just a cup of cold water to drink in the name of a disciple, most certainly I tell you he will in no way lose his reward."

  • Matthew 11:2-11

    Jesus and John the Baptist (see also Luke 7:18-35). The disciples asked Jesus, "Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?" Jesus answered, "Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. Blessed is he who finds no occasion for stumbling in me."

  • Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

    To what will I compare this generation (11:16-19). Jesus gives thanks to his Father (11:25-30; see also Luke 10:21-22). "Come to me, all who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

  • Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

    The parable of the sower (see also Mark 4:1-9; Luke 8:4-15). Jesus spoke many things in parables, saying, "Behold, a farmer went out to sow. As he sowed, some seeds fell by the roadside, and the birds came and devoured them. Others fell on rocky ground, where they didn't have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of earth. Others fell on good soil, and yielded fruit: some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty."

  • Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

    The parable of the weeds (vv. 24-30). The Kingdom of God (vv. 36-43). "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found, and hid. In his joy, he goes and sells all that he has, and buys that field. Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who is a merchant seeking fine pearls, who having found one pearl of great price, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it."

  • Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

    The parable of the mustard seed (13:31-32; see also Mark 4:30-32; Luke 13:18-19). The parable of the yeast (13:33; see also Luke 13:20-21). Three short parables (13:44-50). Old and new treasures (13:51-52). "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field; which indeed is smaller than all seeds. But when it is grown, it is greater than the herbs, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in its branches."

  • Matthew 14:13-21

    The feeding of the five thousand (see also Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-14). When evening had come, Jesus' disciples came to him, saying, "This place is deserted, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves food." But Jesus said to them, "They don't need to go away. You give them something to eat."

  • Matthew 14:22-33

    Jesus walks on water (see also Mark 6:45-52; John 6:15-21). In the fourth watch of the night, Jesus came to them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It's a ghost!" and they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying "Cheer up! It is I! Don't be afraid."

  • Matthew 15:10-28

    That which defiles a person (15:10-20; see also Mark 7:14-23). The Canaanite woman (15:21-28; see also Mark 7:24-30). The Canaanite woman worshiped Jesus, saying, "Lord, help me." But Jesus answered, "It is not appropriate to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." But she said, "Yes, Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters' table." Jesus answered her, "Woman, great is your faith! Be it done to you even as you desire." And her daughter was healed from that hour.

  • Matthew 16:13-20

    Peter's says that Jesus is the Messiah (see also Mark 8:27-30; Luke 9:18-20). Jesus asked, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" They said, "Some say John the Baptizer, some, Elijah, and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets." He said, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

  • Matthew 16:21-28

    Jesus tells of his death and resurrection (16:21-23; see also Mark 8:31-33; Luke 9:21-22). Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me (16:24-28; see also Mark 8:34 - 9:1; Luke 9:23-27). From that time, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up.

  • Matthew 17:1-9

    Jesus' Transfiguration (see also Mark 9:2-13; Luke 9:28-36; 2 Peter 1:16-18). Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John his brother, and brought them up into a high mountain by themselves. He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his garments became as white as the light. Behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them talking with him.

  • Matthew 18:15-20

    "If your brother sins against you, go, show him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained back your brother. But if he doesn't listen, take one or two more with you, that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the assembly."

  • Matthew 18:21-35

    Forgive 70 x 7 (18:21-22). The parable of the unforgiving servant (18:23-35). Peter said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I don't tell you until seven times, but, until seventy times seven."

  • Matthew 20:1-16

    The parable of the laborers in the vineyard. "The master answered, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Didn't you agree with me for a denarius? Take what is yours, and go your way. I desire to give to this last just as much as to you. Isn't it lawful for me to do what I want to with what I own? Or is your eye evil, because I am good?' So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few are chosen."

  • Matthew 20:17-28

    Matthew 20:17-28

  • Matthew 21:1-11

    Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem (see also Mark 11:1-10; Luke 19:28-40; John 12:12-19). Jesus sent two disciples, saying, "Go into the village that is opposite you, and you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them, and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, 'The Lord needs them,' and immediately he will send them."

  • Matthew 21:23-32

    Jesus' authority questioned (21:23-27; see also Mark 11:27-33; Luke 20:1-8). The parable of two sons (21:28-32). The chief priests and the elders came to Jesus as he was teaching, and said, "By what authority do you do these things? Who gave you this authority?" Jesus answered, "I also will ask you one question, which if you tell me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, where was it from? From heaven or from men?"

  • Matthew 21:33-46

    The parable of the wicked tenants (see also Mark 12:1-12; Luke 20:9-19). "Hear another parable. There was a man who was a master of a household, who planted a vineyard, set a hedge about it, dug a winepress in it, built a tower, leased it out to farmers, and went into another country."

  • Matthew 22:1-14

    The parable of the wedding banquet and the man without a robe (see also Luke 14:15-24). "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king, who made a marriage feast for his son, and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the marriage feast, but they would not come."

  • Matthew 22:15-22

    The question of paying taxes to the emperor (see also Mark 12:13-17; Luke 22:20-26). The Pharisees took counsel how they might entrap Jesus. They sent their disciples to him to say, "Teacher, we know that you are honest, and teach the way of God in truth, no matter whom you teach, for you aren't partial to anyone. Tell us therefore, what do you think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?"

  • Matthew 22:34-46

    The greatest and second greatest commandments (22:34-40; see also Mark 12:28-34; Luke 10:25-28). Jesus' question about David's son (22:41-46; see also Mark 12:35-37; Luke 20:41-44). A lawyer asked Jesus a question, testing him. "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?" Jesus said, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. A second likewise is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments."

  • Matthew 23:1-12

    Jesus denounces the Scribes and the Pharisees (see also Mark 12:38-40; Luke 20:45-47). "He who is greatest among you will be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."

  • Matthew 24:36-44

    Watch, because the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour (see also Mark 13:32-37; Luke 17:26-35; 21:34-36). "No one knows of that day and hour, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father only. As the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man."

  • Matthew 25:1-13

    The parable of the bridesmaids. "The Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. Those who were foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps."

  • Matthew 25:14-30

    The parable of the talents (see also Luke 19:11-27). "It is like a man, going into another country, who called his own servants, and entrusted his goods to them. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one; to each according to his own ability. Then he went on his journey."

  • Matthew 25:31-46

    The judgment of the nations. "The righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you; or thirsty, and give you a drink? When did we see you as a stranger, and take you in; or naked, and clothe you? When did we see you sick, or in prison, and come to you?' The King will answer, 'Most certainly I tell you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'"

  • Matthew 27:11-54

    Jesus before Pilate. Barabbas or Jesus? Soldiers mock Jesus. Jesus' crucifixion. Jesus' death (see also Mark 15; Luke 23; John 18-19). Jesus yielded up his spirit. Behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split. The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised;. Now the centurion, and those who were with him watching Jesus, when they saw the earthquake, and the things that were done, feared exceedingly, saying, "Truly this was the Son of God."

  • Matthew 28:1-10

    Jesus' resurrection (see also Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-10). The angel told the women, "Don't be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus, who has been crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, just like he said. Come, see the place where the Lord was lying. Go quickly and tell his disciples, 'He has risen from the dead, and behold, he goes before you into Galilee; there you will see him.' Behold, I have told you."

  • Matthew 28:16-20

    The Great Commission (see also Mark 16:14-18; John 20:21; Acts 1:6-8). "All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."