Bible Summary Matthew

Outline: Click Here

Chapter 1

• Genealogy of Jesus
• Birth of Jesus

The Gospel of Matthew opens with a list of people’s names, the genealogy of Jesus. Don’t skip it. Matthew is proving to the people of his time (the Jews) that Jesus is the Messiah, who must come from the line of David, the line of Judah, the line of Abraham. If he does not, a responsible Jew would ignore the claim.

• Matthew proves Jesus’ ancestry in the line of David and gets their attention.

Read through it to see if you recognize any of the names. If you are reading through the 14 books of the narrative approach, you may recognize some that you have been reading about. It is alright if you don’t recognize them all. Over time more names may look familiar.

Matthew then speaks about Jesus, who is born from a woman and the Holy Spirit, not from Mary and Joseph, It is a true miracle from God.

The birth of Jesus fulfills Gen 3:15 where God promised there would be a battle between the Devil and the woman & her offspring. Mary is the woman and Jesus is the offspring who will ultimately crush the head of the devil; sin and death.

Matthew is only concerned with the Virgin birth of Jesus at this time, explaining there was no possibility that Jesus was conceived by Joseph or any other man.

• The genealogy is real people in history that God made a promise with and His promise is about to be fulfilled in Jesus the Messiah.

Chapter 2

• Visit of the Magi
• Flight to Egypt
• Massacre of the Infants
• Return from Egypt

Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the location foretold by the prophet Isaiah. When the Magi came to Jerusalem inquiring about a newborn king of the Jews, King Herod became troubled and found out the Messiah would come from Bethlehem.

Herod’s secret plan was to send the Magi to Bethlehem and once they found Jesus, Herod could come to kill him. The Lord was aware of Herod’s thoughts and warned Joseph in a dream to escape from Egypt.

The Magi worshiped Jesus and were also warned by the Lord in a dream and did not return to Herod.

When Herod learned that the Magi were gone, he had all the male children under 2 years of age killed. Theses children are the first Christian martyrs, now in heaven, given a day of remembrance each year as the Holy Innocents.

• The slaughter of the children in Bethlehem can be compared to the slaughter of the male children in Egypt. Moses, the future deliverer of the Israelites, escaped. Jesus the deliverer of us all, escaped.
  
• The Holy Family’s flight to Egypt can be compared to Israel fleeing to Egypt to avoid death.

Chapter 3

• Preaching of John the Baptist
• Baptism of Jesus

John the Baptist was a prophet foretold by Isaiah. John prophesied about the Messiah coming after him. He prepared the people with Baptism of water and repentance, but He also speaks of something more, Baptism of Fire from the Holy Spirit, which some today refer to as Confirmation.

There is some question as to why Jesus was Baptized? He was the son of God, without sin, so He did not need it for repentance or to clear any original sin for Himself. But in doing so, He fortified what John the Baptist was preaching, that we all need repentance and Baptism.

If Jesus was Baptized, and God is pleased with Jesus, His son, then there is no question we need to be Baptized too.

This passage gives us a moment to see the Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, all acting as one. The Word ‘Trinity’ is not in the Bible, yet the concept is. God in three person is shown to us in the Baptism of Jesus.

• We may also be reminded of the beginning of Genesis, where God says, let ‘us’ make man in ‘our’ image. This plural usage in Genesis makes sense when we understand the Trinity of 1 God in 3 persons.

Chapter 4

• Temptation of Jesus
• Beginning of Jesus’ Ministry
• The First Disciples
• Ministering to a Multitude

Have you ever been so hungry that all you could think about was food? Were you ever on a high place like a mountain, a tower, or a building, where you had a fear of heights? Were you ever asked to do something that you could do, but nothing good would come of it if you did?

Jesus was like us. He had the same feelings, emotions, and was challenged by others just as we are. He gives us hope that we can overcome our fears and temptations, not to give in to evil temptation, but to trust in the Lord.

Jesus moved to Capernaum in Galilee and begins to preach repentance there, carrying on from where John the Baptist left off.

Imagine if someone walked by you at the beach and asked you to follow them. For some, they could detect the trust in Jesus’ words, for others they needed a little help. Luke gives us some details of Jesus healing Simon’s mother-in-law and helping them find a large catch of fish. It was enough to attract Peter, Andrew, James and John to follow, but they did not yet know Jesus was the Messiah, the son of God.

Soon after, Jesus taught and healed the sick. If you saw someone curing various diseases, possessions, lunatics, and paralysis that had no known cures, wouldn’t it make you wonder who this person is? The Apostles must have been astonished at these events, not knowing how this could happen.

Chapter 5

• The Sermon on the Mount
• The Beatitudes
• Similes of Salt and Light
• Teaching About the Law
• Teaching About Anger
• Teaching About Adultery
• Teaching About Divorce
• Teaching About Oaths
• Teaching About Retaliation
• Love of Enemies

Not only were the miracles astounding, but so were Jesus’ words of truth. He spoke about how we should reach out to others, to be merciful, to be respectful in mourning, to be willing to speak up for him, even if it meant persecution, for an eternal reward in heaven. At that time many did not even realize they could make it to heaven.

Jesus goes on to explain how important each one of us is. We have a unique mission that no one else can achieve. We are like good salt that we don’t want to lose its taste; We are like a light that should not be hidden; we need to share our faith and talents with others.

Jesus is a fulfillment of the Old Testament, not merely a replacement. He says the commandments are still necessary. It matters what we do, not just what we believe. When we follow the commandments and Jesus, we exceed what the law required.

Jesus warns about festering anger, not to let it remain or let it come to court, where you may be judged. He warns us about how lust begins, to be custodians of our eyes.

Jesus reaffirms marriage between a man and woman. Once they have been joined together lawfully with God’s blessing, they cannot get divorced and remarried to another (as Moses had permitted due to the hardness of their hearts). He mentions some marriages were unlawful or invalid and would not be treated the same.

Directly after Jesus warns about taking false oaths, perhaps He was warning those who were trying to manipulate divorce, but that we should all be true to our words.

Jesus’s teachings about retaliation and love of enemies would have been astounding. No longer exacting justice with an eye for an eye, but showing mercy and compassion. If Jesus lived strictly by the law, exacting equal justice, we would all be condemned by our sins. Jesus introduces mercy with justice.

Chapter 6

• Teaching About Almsgiving
• Teaching About Prayer
• The Lord’s Prayer
• Teaching About Fasting
• Treasure in Heaven
• God and Money
• Dependence on God

Jesus teaches about doing good works such as alms giving, but not in public for others to see, but to help our relationship with our Father in heaven. He says the same about prayer, to make sure we are doing it for the Lord, not to look good in front of others.

Most people thought of God as being so far above us that we should cower in fear and awe. Jesus uses the word Father (Daddy) to explain God is like our father and we are like His children, in a close family. We can have a close relationship with him.

Jesus also challenges us; To forgive others; to fast with joy; not to store up earthly treasures; be careful what we watch with our eyes; not to let money be our god; Not to worry, but trust in the Lord.

He says to seek first the kingdom of God. Do not worry about what you need. Let today’s worries be enough for today.

Chapter 7

• Judging Others
• Pearls Before Swine
• The Answer to Prayers
• The Golden Rule
• The Narrow Gate
• False Prophets
• True Disciples
• Two Foundations

Jesus warns us not to judge others. If God judged us based upon our sins, we would be in severe trouble, so we should be careful how we judge others and look to work on our own problems.

• Jesus also asks us to speak the truth. We can point out sins to try and help people, not judge them.

We should treat Holy things that come from God or remind us of God with awe and respect, that includes our bodies. As we are Holy Temples, made in the image of God, and like children, we can ask Him for what we need. it shows we trust Him, even of sometimes the answer may be ‘No’ for our eternal good.

Treat others as we would have them treat ourselves so that we can enter the gate of heaven.

Beware of immediately trusting false teachers who can look like the shepherd. They can be tested by their good fruits or bad fruits. He warns us that only saying we believe is not enough, that we must do the will of the father.

Chapter 8

• Cleansing of a Leper
• Healing of a Centurion’s Servant
• Cure of Peter’s Mother-in-Law
• Other Healings
• Conditional Followers of Jesus
• Calming of the Storm at Sea
• Healing of the Gadarene Demoniacs

In Galilee, Jesus performs several miraculous healings that a normal teacher cannot do. At this point the Apostles might be comparing him to one of the Old Testament prophets, like Elijah, or Elisha, who could perform miracles, but Jesus’ miracles start to exceed what they could do.

Jesus heals a leper. The leper does not have to go to the Jordan River like Elisha requested Naaman do in the Old Testament, he is cleansed on the spot.

Jesus heals the Centurian’s servant. Jesus does not have to be there physically like Elijah and Elisha, but by the Centurian’s faith and Jesus’ word, the servant is healed.

Jesus heals Peter’s mother-in-law, drove out demons by His word, and healed the sick, yet not all were ready to immediately follow him.

During a storm at sea, the disciples lack faith. When Jesus calms the storm, He chastises them a bit for their lack of faith after all they had witnessed. The disciples continue to wonder what sort of man is this? Not even the prophets of old could do all that Jesus was doing.

The Gadarene Demons are the fist to recognize Jesus as the son of God before they are cast out into a herd of swine to drown.

The disciples who witnessed the miracles, began to report them. It may seem that they are weak in faith, but this is a step in their journey, to be able to voice what Jesus did.

Chapter 9

• Healing of a Paralytic
• Call of Matthew
• Question About Fasting
• Official’s Daughter
• Woman with a Hemorrhage
• Healing of Two Blind Men
• Healing of a Mute Person
• Compassion of Jesus

Jesus expands their faith even more. He forgives someone’s sins and backs this up with the healing of the paralytic. He is beginning to reveal to them His mission in addressing sin with mercy.

In His mercy, Jesus addresses tax collectors and sinners. While others do not associate with sinners that could have a bad influence on them, Jesus is not afraid, and like a doctor, is there for the sick. Matthew, a tax collector, follows Jesus.

We start to see the issue with legalism. Some are quoting the law so stringently that they complain when a greater good is done. As some are questioning Jesus about fasting, he heals a woman who has a hemorrhage, raises a child from the dead, heals 2 blind men, and drives out a demon. The people were amazed and spread the news.

The Pharisees were too strictly attached to the law, were blind to the good, perhaps jealous, and accused Jesus of evil, being the prince of demons.

As Jesus continued teaching and healing every kind of illness, he felt pity for the people, as they were like sheep without a shepherd. He indicates that His disciples will be needed to help shepherd the people.

Chapter 10

• Mission of the Twelve
• Commissioning of the Twelve
• Coming Persecutions
• Courage Under Persecution
• Jesus: A Cause of Division
• Conditions of Discipleship
• Rewards

Jesus sees the need to have Apostles to shepherd the people, Jesus sends out his 12 Apostles, giving them authority to drive out demons and cure diseases and illnesses. The Apostles’ faith is still in its infancy so they are not yet ready to go out to pagans or Samaritans, but it is remarkable they can do what Jesus was doing.

Jesus gives them instruction, indicates future persecutions, and tells them to trust in the Spirit and the Father. As in the Beatitudes, their persecution and endurance will be rewarded at the end and they will be saved.

Jesus uses the term ‘Son of Man’, a term for the Messiah. He mentions they will not finish before the Son of Man comes. He is already there, giving them clues as to who He is. Whoever acknowledged Him before others, He will acknowledge before His heavenly Father.

It will not be easy, but it will be worth it.

Chapter 11

• Messengers from John the Baptist
• Jesus’ Testimony to John
• Unrepentant Towns
• The Praise of the Father
• Gentle Mastery of Christ

John the Baptist already knows Jesus is the Messiah. Since he is in prison and his mission is meant to diminish as Jesus’s grows, his followers will eventually need to follow Jesus, so he sends them to Jesus to ask questions. Jesus answers them and compliments John the Baptist as the finest among men, but indicates heaven makes everyone even better.

Jesus chastised the towns that had seen all the miracles, but had not repented for even Sodom would have repented. Not all will listen.

Jesus gives a beautiful prayer of thanks to His Father and all that has been given to Him by His Father, calling all who are burdened.

Chapter 12

• Picking Grain on the Sabbath
• Man with a Withered Hand
• Chosen Servant
• Jesus and Beelzebul
• A Tree and Its Fruits
• Demand for a Sign
• Return of the Unclean Spirit
• True Family of Jesus

More legalism. The Pharisees are quick to respond when Jesus disciples pick food to eat on the Sabbath, as it is considered work under the law. Jesus reminds them of David and priests in the Temple. He reminds them they are missing the point; The Temple, laws, and sacrifice, came as a result of sin. He will replace them as the Son of Man, with mercy.

He backs up his words by curing a man with a withered hand on the sabbath. The Pharisees who have spent their lives attached to the Temple and the laws, begin to plan how they will put Jesus to death.

Some people begin to compare Jesus with the ‘Son of David’ another term for the Messiah, who would come from the lineage of David. The Pharisees repeated their earlier claim of Jesus being a demon, but he rebuked them and warns them instead, to be careful of all that they say.

The Pharisee ask for a sign on the spot, (even though they just saw the man with the withered hand cured), reminiscent of the Devil demanding for a miracle on his terms.

Jesus gives them a sign that further reinforces his glory while rebuking the Pharisees at the same time. He refers to his future death for 3 days and even hope for Ninevah, where the 10 lost tribes of Israel had been exiled.

When Jesus’ relatives arrive, he seamlessly incorporates that into his words, that whoever does the will of his heavenly father will be like family.

Chapter 13

• Parable of the Sower
• Purpose of Parables
• Privilege of Discipleship
• Explanation of the Parable of the Sower
• Parable of the Weeds Among Wheat
• Parable of the Mustard Seed
• Parable of the Yeast
• Use of Parables
• More Parables
• Treasures New and Old
• Rejection at Nazareth

Matthew writes about several parables of Jesus, another reminder of God in their midst. Psalm 78 speaks of parables unfolding the puzzling events of the past. Jesus uses parables of everyday events to reveal spiritual truths.

The first set of parables deal with seeds of various types and the spiritual growth of different people.

In the parable of the sower, some people hear the word of God, but aren’t listening enough and the devil takes them away. Others are joyful when they first hear it, but lack endurance and give up when it becomes difficult. Others lose faith by allowing worldly priorities to take over. Others listen, grow in faith, and bear good fruit.

It is a privilege to be presented the word of God. Instead of halfheartedly hearing words and then forgetting them, we need to listen, mediate on them, and be willing to learn so we can understand better.

In the parable of the wheat and weeds, the bad people will make it difficult for the good ones. They evil ones will not be removed right now, but at the end. justice will catch up and be served, separating the good from evil

In the parable of the mustard seed, the word of the Lord can start small and sometimes be unnoticeable, but it can easily grow by 1000 times in a season if we are open to it, like a batch of flour growing.

Jesus also uses parables to help us understand how beneficial heaven will be for us, like a buried treasure found, like fine pearls, like a net that collects every kind of fish.

When Jesus visits his home town, Matthew is showing us people who do not believe in Jesus as the Messiah or God, and would have difficulty understanding parables unless they had a change of heart.

Chapter 14

• Herod’s Opinion of Jesus
• Death of John the Baptist
• Feeding the Five Thousand
• Walking on the Water
• Healings at Gennesaret

Herod the Tetrarch otherwise know as Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great, was ruler of the Galilee region. He put John the Baptist to death in prison and saw Jesus as another like John, raised from the dead.

Meanwhile, Jesus in a boat on the Sea of Galilee, with crowds gathered around, out of pity, cured their sick. It was a deserted place without food, and getting late so the disciples reminded Jesus to dismiss the people, but he told them the feed the people. At least 5,000 were fed, starting with only 5 loaves and 2 fish. This was greater than the miracle of Elisha.

While in the same boat, Jesus and the Apostles crossed the sea where he disembarked and they stayed floating in the sea. Later, as the wind picked up, he approached, walking on the water.

Peter often gets mocked for his lack of faith here, but how many of us would have thought we could even walk on water for a moment? Peter’s faith, while still far from perfect, is showing signs of growing.

The Apostles were astonished. Perhaps they were growing accustomed to the other miracles Jesus was performing, or doubters were trying to explain everything away, but Jesus keeps showing them new miracles that only God could do. For the moment they give him homage as the Son of God.

When they reached the other side at Gennesaret, Jesus continued healing the sick. Some people needed to touch Jesus to believe, but they had enough faith to be healed.

Chapter 15

• Tradition of the Elders
• Canaanite Woman’s Faith
• Healing of Many People
• Feeding of the Four Thousand

The Pharisees return, previously intent on killing Jesus, now looking for ways to trap him with legal teachings. They quote the requirement of washing of hands before a meal, but he shows their interpretations contradict the commandments.

Jesus further mentions that what a person says can defile them, not what they eat, or unwashed hands, This threatens additional laws they had on food restrictions. Jesus rebukes them for trying to turn mad-made laws into doctrines.

• What we say comes from the heart, which can defile someone spiritually.

The Canaanites in Tyre and Sidon worshiped other gods and were separate from the Jews. However, Jesus still heals the Canaanite woman’s daughter because of her faith. This gives an initial hint that God’s Covenant will not forever be restricted to Jews.

Jesus returns to Galilee and gives more miracles for the people, feeding another 4,000, this time with 7 loaves and a few fish, perhaps for the doubters who thought the first time was an exaggeration.

Jesus broke the bread and gave it to his disciples, prefiguring an even greater miracle to come at the Last Supper.

Chapter 16

• Demand for a Sign
• Leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees
• Peter’s Confession About Jesus
• First Prediction of the Passion
• Conditions of Discipleship

The Pharisees and Sadducees are back again, repeating their request for a sign again. He gives them a sailor’s sign for weather, but not for their benefit, but to rebuke them as they cannot recognized He is the Messiah, the Son of God. He repeats the sign of Jonah from chapter 12 and leaves them.

He tells the Apostles to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees; beware of their teachings.

They went north to the region of Caesarea Philippi where Jesus finally asks his Apostles who people say that he is. The Apostles compare him to other great prophets, like Elijah, John the Baptist, and Jeremiah.

When he asked them directly who they think He is, Peter is the first to say He is the Messiah, the Son of the living God. in return, Jesus makes 4 remarkable statements to Peter.

• You are Peter(rock) and upon this rock I will build my church
• The gates of the netherworld will never prevail against the Church
• Jesus gives Peter the keys to the kingdom (Prime Minister of the King)
• The power to bind and loose on earth as is in heaven.

The implication of these words is remarkable and astonishing. No man-made Church could know or promise this except Jesus, as God.

Peter is still imperfect and a sinner. He does not yet understand Jesus will need to die for our sins. When he tries to prevent Jesus from going to Jerusalem, he is temporarily rebuked as thinking like as man does, not as God does.

Jesus reminds them of coming persecutions, but that they will be saved by Him with his angels and in His Fathers’s glory.

Chapter 17

• Transfiguration of Jesus
• Coming of Elijah
• Healing of a Boy with a Demon
• 2nd Prediction of the Passion
• Temple Taxes

To help reinforce their faith, Jesus allows Peter, James, and John a glimpse of the supernatural as he is transfigured before them in in bright light, speaking with Moses and Elijah. God, the Father appears in a cloud, reminiscent of the cloud of God in Exodus and the voice of God at Jesus’ Baptism.

When they come down, Jesus tells them not to tell anyone and that He will be raised from the dead.

John the Baptist is in the same spirit as Elijah, possibly under the Nazarite vow like Elijah, Elisha, Samuel, Samson, and Paul, but not literally the same person as Elijah as clarified by John 1:21, where John the Baptist says he is not Elijah.

When Jesus returns, the other disciples failed to repel a demon and Jesus chastised them for their lack of faith, saying all they needed was faith the size of a small mustard seed to make impossible wonders possible.

This time Jesus isn’t giving hints, but tells them outright He will be handed over to men and will be killed, and will be raised on the third day. It seems they did not yet understand the part about rising as they were grieved at the news. It further reveals Jesus is God, being able to predict His own death and Resurrection.

Jesus includes Peter in a dialogue in figuring out tax authority, explaining the worldly contradiction of the Jewish Temple tax, but compromises to pay it instead of offending them. Later, Paul, a Jewish-Christian. keeps the Jewish Temple practices for himself (as a Jew), but does not hold non-Jewish gentiles to it.

Chapter 18

• Greatest in the Kingdom
• Temptations to Sin
• Parable of the Lost Sheep
• A Brother Who Sins
• Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

We are to be like children in terms of being humble and also receiving children as we would receive Jesus.

Jesus sternly warns about causing children to sin or being the cause of any sin. He is not literally talking about cutting off our body parts, but spiritually doing whatever we can to cut off sin

Do not despise the little ones. if someone is lost we should help find them and rejoice, as a shepherd would do for 1 sheep missing out of 100. God the Father does not want any of them to be lost.

Jesus then gives directions for how to approach a sinner who is at fault, privately, then with another, then with the Church. The Church can bind and loose and request prayers.

where 2 or 3 are gathered in God’s name, there He will be in the midst of them.

If someone does not listen and keeps on sinning against you, Jesus says to keep on forgiving. He is not speaking as a literal 7 x 70 times, but as often as needed because God forgives us over and over and over, more than 7 x 70 times.

Chapter 19

• Marriage and Divorce
• Blessing of the Children
• The Rich Young Man

Jesus leaves Galilee to enter the district of Judea where he continued curing.

The Pharisees are back again, trying to trap Jesus in words about Divorce. He brings them back to Genesis to explain the bond between a man and woman in the presence of God is meant to be permanent. The Pharisees try to put Jesus against Moses, but Jesus explains Moses only allowed Divorce because of the hardness of their hearts. If a marriage was unlawful or invalid from the beginning then it would not be the same as one that was blessed by God.

There is mention of some that will not marry, including those that do so for the sake of the kingdom. Religious life of celibacy is supported here.

Jesus blesses the children. It is no coincidence that being open and welcoming of children is mentioned on both sides of the question of marriage.

What is required to enter the kingdom? The Commandments are part of it, yes. For the young man, wealth and riches was the stumbling block. For parents with young children, selling everything may not be the answer. It may be something different for each of us.

• We all need God’s help to overcome our limitations.

For some who are rich, Jesus says it would be easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for them to reach heaven. Note: In Jerusalem, the eye of the needle was a small opening in the wall that a camel would have great difficulty passing through.

Peter and the other Apostles had given up everything to follow Jesus. Peter seems a bit worried after the rich man leaves. Jesus re-assures him that the Apostles will sit on 12 thrones when He is seated on His throne in heaven. Anyone who has given up family to follow Jesus, will receive 100 x more and inherit eternal life.

Chapter 20

• Workers in the Vineyard
• 3rd Prediction of the Passion
• Request of James and John
• Healing of Two Blind Men

The Workers in the vineyard does not always appeal to our sense of justice and fairness. As we reflect on our sins and how we were not always faithful to the Lord each day (not putting in a full wage) hopefully we can better understand God’s mercy working here. None of us deserve it, yet God is willing to give grace to those who come to Him, some later than others.

Jesus, who is in the region of Judea, now approaching Jerusalem, once again foretells the Apostles that He will be handed over to be killed, and rise on the third day. He is specific in saying He will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, and be crucified.

The mother of the sons of Zebedee asks an unreasonable request for her 2 sons to get the closest thrones to Jesus in heaven. The others become upset at the two brothers. Jesus turns the negative situation around by telling them that the first will need to be the servant and mentions He will do so by giving his life as a ransom for everyone’s sin.

On the way to Jerusalem, he heals two blind men who followed him, like the later workers in the vineyard.

Chapter 21

• Entry into Jerusalem
• Cleansing of the Temple
• Cursing of the Fig Tree
• Authority of Jesus Questioned
• Parable of the 2 Sons
• Parable of the Tenants

Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey. This is a connection to the Old Testament. Solomon was anointed king on a donkey. A warhorse was used by kings in conquest, a donkey by the king in peace. The crowds welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem like a king, laying out palm branches and calling Him the Son of David, the blessed one, hosanna in the highest.

Once Jesus entered the city they called him a prophet, from Galilee.

When He reached the Temple, he cleansed it of the unclean and the thieves, reminiscent of the cleansing of the Temple by the Maccabees. The chief priests and scribes were indignant that He should be called the Son of David, a term reserved for the Messiah.

Between the 2 encounters with the priests and scribes, Jesus curses the fig tree symbolizing what will happen to those who have no faith.

When He comes back to the Temple, the chief priest and elders challenge where He gets his authority. He will only answer if they can answer his question about whether John’s Baptism was of heavenly or human origin. They avoid an answer, and thus Jesus does not answer their request.

He asks them a question about 2 sons. Jesus’ answer may be confusing as one son eventually goes to the vineyard. Jesus rebukes the priests and scribes because they were worse than both sons, not listening to John in the beginning or after.

Jesus continues with the parable of the Vineyard owner who temporarily leased it to some tenants. They beat, killed, and toned the servants He sent to obtain His produce, even killing His son. Jesus was referring to the Temple of Jerusalem which was never requested by God and was only a temporary measure.

The prophets were rejected and the Son of God will be killed, but the Lord will reject those killed Him, and continue the everlasting blessing through His Son.

The Chief Priests and Pharisees were not listening, but looking for a way to arrest Jesus, but they were fearful of the crowds.

Chapter 22

• Parable of the Wedding Feast
• Paying Taxes to the Emperor
• Question About the Resurrection
• The Greatest Commandment
• Question About David’s Son

Following the parable of the tenants, Jesus continues speaking (seemingly still in the presence of the Pharisees) about a wedding feast. Some are invited and refused. When invited again they ignored it, with some killing the king’s messengers. As a result others were invited in their place. This parable signifies those who Jesus invited but refused. It also is another hint of the future invitation to the gentiles. The man who came without wedding attire, indicates someone who does not have a change of heart and mind for entrance into the kingdom of God.

The Pharisees bring Jesus a question designed as a trap where either a yes or no answer will cause him a serious problem with His followers or with Caeser. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caeser? Jesus, as God, is wiser than they are and answers in an unexpected way. Caesar’s image in on the coin, but even Caesar is made in the image and likeness of God, so pay to Caesar what is his, and to God what is His. They were amazed at the answer and left.

Later that day, the Sadducees approached Jesus. They did not believe in the Resurrection and brought to him a question designed as a trap about a wife who had 7 husbands on earth. Jesus answered that marriage is for now, but heaven will be even greater where it is no longer needed.

Jesus says God is the God of the living, not the dead, so Resurrection makes sense,

The Pharisees come back at Jesus with another question about the greatest commandment. Jesus boils it down to loving the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, and soul, but adds to love your neighbor as yourself.

Jesus in turn asked them about the Messiah and explains the Messiah cannot have been the literal son of David, Solomon. The passage about ‘the Lord said to my Lord’ would only make sense in context of the Messiah being God.

With that, they did not dare to ask Jesus any more questions.

Chapter 23

• Denunciation of the Scribes and Pharisees
• The Lament over Jerusalem

Jesus no longer speaks in parables, but outright denounces the scribes and Pharisees as poor examples to follow. They create heavy burdens, perform works for all to see, and like honor at banquets. Do not put them above God as Father or as Master above the Messiah. Be humble and a servant to others. The scribes and Pharisee are too legalistic, making it impossible for anyone to enter heaven under their regulations.

Jesus makes it every clear the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees. condemning their focus on the lesser parts of the law, while ignoring the greater parts; judgement, mercy, and fidelity.

Jesus prophesies the abandonment of the Temple, but also leaves a simple invitation to any who want to change their minds to follow Him.

Chapter 24

• Destruction of the Temple Foretold
• Coming Persecutions
• The Great Tribulation
• Coming of the Son of Man
• Lesson of the Fig Tree
• Unknown Day and Hour
• Faithful or the Unfaithful Servant

Jesus not only speaks of the abandonment of the Temple of Jerusalem but its destruction (which later occurred in 70 A.D.)

Jesus speaks of wars and coming persecutions, false prophets, and evil, but the one who perseveres will be saved. The gospel will be preached to all nations, through trials and tribulations, with the Messiah, the Son of Man, Jesus, returning in glory.

But of all the tribulations and the end, no one knows the day or the hour.

• We should not try to predict the end as Jesus says no one knows except the Father.

Do not be caught unprepared. Stay awake, be alert, be prepared, avoid sin, trust in the Lord like the prudent servant.

Chapter 25

• Parable of the 10 Virgins
• Parable of the Talents
• Judgment of the Nations

Jesus gives another parable about staying vigilant with the parable of the virgins. They were good in staying virgins before marriage, but some were foolish and lazy, not vigilant. Likewise, we can not become complacent and lukewarm, or else we may find ourselves on the outside.

One way to stay vigilant and ready is to use our talents wisely. The parable of the Talents speaks about money. Jesus is speaking about the gifts that we have been given to be shared with others.

Jesus gives us other ways to be prepared by helping the needy; the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the sick, the imprisoned.

There is an eternal heaven and an eternal punishment.

Chapter 26

• Conspiracy Against Jesus
• Anointing at Bethany
• Betrayal by Judas
• Preparations for Passover
• The Lord’s Supper
• Peter’s Denial Foretold
• Agony in the Garden
• Arrest of Jesus
• Jesus Before the Sanhedrin
• Peter’s Denial of Jesus

Jesus again foretells his crucifixion. Although the chief priest and Pharisees could not trap Jesus by words, they continue to plan his capture when there are no crowds.

When the woman comes to anoint Jesus’ feet with perfumed oil, He again foretells of his coming death, as she is preparing Him for burial. She is including in the writings of the Gospels as Jesus said she would be remembered.

Judas agrees to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. This is prophesied by Jeremiah the prophet.

At the Passover meal, Jesus predicts that one of the Apostles will betray him and he knows who it is, indicating the one who dips his hand into the same dish, Judas.

The Last Supper
when Jesus breaks the bread and says it is His body, and the wine saying it is His blood, He is fulfilling the Old Testament Covenant in a variety of ways

• Gen 3:15 is being fulfilled as Jesus begins to defeat sin by His sacrifice.
• Abraham did not have to sacrifice his only son, Isaac.
  But God sacrifices His only Son, Jesus, for us.
• The lamb was the Passover sacrifice to help the Israelites escape captivity as slaves in Egypt.
  Jesus becomes the sacrificial Lamb for people to escape the captivity of sin.
• Animal sacrifices for reparation of sin are no longer needed.
  Jesus is the sacrifice for our sin.
• Jesus is the living Temple. The Temple in Jerusalem, which God never requested, is no longer needed.
• All the Covenants of the Old Testament lead to this new and everlasting Covenant that will be for everyone, everywhere.
• In other Gospels and Paul, Jesus says to continue the Last Supper.

Peter’s faith has been growing, but like us, He is still a sinner and at times weak. He wants to be faithful to Jesus, but is not yet prepared to stand up to the fear that is coming. Jesus predicts that Peter will deny him 3 times.

Jesus and the Apostles go to the garden of Olives across from Jerusalem. There Jesus prays and like us, can feel real fear and pain. He overcomes it with prayer. If the Apostles had been praying perhaps they would have been stronger, but they were caught off-guard when Judas came to betray Jesus.

Despite a short confrontation by the Apostles that resulted in cutting off one of the guard’s ears, Jesus told them to stop. He was allowing it to happen as He could easily call upon twelve legions of angels to stop it. the disciples fled.

Peter followed the guards and Jesus to the high priest’s courtyard. While we tend to focus on Peter’s failure, he dared to venture closer into danger than the others. When he was recognized, under the shocking fear. he denied Jesus 3 times as Jesus had predicted.

The assembly had difficulty in proving fault with Jesus. When He says that he is the Son of Man who will come on clouds of heaven, they accused Him of Blasphemy, punishable by death. They mocked Him and tempted him to prophesy for them as the Devil had done in the desert.

Chapter 27

• Jesus Before Pilate
• Death of Judas
• Jesus Questioned by Pilate
• Jesus Condemned to Death
• Jesus Mocked by the Soldiers
• The Way of the Cross
• The Crucifixion
• Death of Jesus
• Burial of Jesus
• Guard at the Tomb

The Jews did not have authority to execute criminals under Roman rule, so they had to send Jesus to the closest Roman authority, Pontius Pilate.

Judas and Peter are similar in that they both betrayed Jesus, although Judas’ crime was more severe. The difference after was that Judas lost hope while Peter had hope, eventually recovered, and grew stronger. It is difficult to tell what Judas was thinking, as he shows some signs of remorse here, but then kills himself.

Pilate questioned Jesus, but could not find fault. Pilate thought an easy way out was the tradition to release one prisoner, surely they would want Jesus released over the notorious prisoner Barabbas. The crowd chose to free Barabbas instead. Pilate saw no evil in Jesus, but caved into the pressure of the crowd by having Jesus scourged and crucified.

The Soldiers gave Jesus a crown of thorns to mock him as king of the Jews. They spat upon Him and kept striking his head with a reed. Then they led him out to be crucified. Simon of Cyrene is pressed to help Him.

At Golgotha, Jesus was crucified. They cast lots for his clothes as prophesied and mocked him further, including one who was crucified next to him. Darkness came over the land and Jesus gave his last words.

If we read the entirety of Psalm 22 where Jesus is quoting from when he says. ‘My God, My God, Why Have you abandoned me?’, it is not the words of hopelessness, but the words of someone under intense persecution. As the Psalm progresses, it shows great trust in the Lord and is remarkable how it resembles the crucifixion.

Jesus dies
When Jesus dies, bodies are raised from the dead, reminiscent to Ezekiel with the valley of the dry bones, the Temple Veil was torn, and one of the Centurions converts believing Jesus was truly the Son of God. Several woman remained, Mary, Mary Madeline, and Mary the mother of James and John. John the Apostle was also there (by other Gospel accounts).

Joseph of Arimathea gets permission to bury Jesus. The chief priests and Pharisees get permission from Pilate to secure the tomb by seal and guard so that no one can steal the body.

Chapter 28

• The Resurrection of Jesus
• Report of the Guard
• Commissioning of the Disciples

The woman go to the tomb first and witness an angel scaring the guards and rolling back the stone. They see Jesus on the way and report the Resurrection to the Apostles.

The scared guards returned to the city where the chief priests and elders paid them to tell a lie, that they were asleep. (Sleeping on duty was punishable by death and Jesus’s disciples would be no match for trained Roman soldiers), but this was the only lie they could think of quickly.

The eleven Apostles went to Galilee as instructed and saw Jesus at a distance and still had some doubts. Jesus comes closer and gives them instruction and power to go out to preach to all nations, Baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

He tells them He will be with them until the end of the age.

Summary

The other Gospels and the beginning of Acts of the Apostles can add some more detail about Jesus’ Resurrection.

We are reading this today because the Apostles went out, preached to all nations, so that we could hear, and be open to the words of Jesus, so that we are not conquered by sin, but can be saved from sin, to reach eternal life, through Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Son of Man, the Son of God, conqueror of sin by his sacrifice, and conqueror of death by His Resurrection.

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Scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.