{
  "id": "dict_003528",
  "term": "Matthew, Gospel of",
  "slug": "matthew-gospel-of",
  "letter": "M",
  "entry_type": "biblical_book",
  "entry_family": "theological_term",
  "depth_profile": "standard",
  "short_definition": "The first canonical Gospel in the New Testament, presenting Jesus Christ as the promised Messiah, authoritative Teacher, Son of David, and risen King.",
  "simple_one_line": "Matthew is the Gospel that highlights Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament promise and the King who teaches and saves.",
  "tooltip_text": "The Gospel of Matthew is the first New Testament Gospel and emphasizes Jesus as Messiah, Teacher, and King.",
  "aliases": [
    "Gospel of Matthew"
  ],
  "scripture_references": [],
  "original_language_terms": [],
  "related_entries": [
    "Jesus Christ",
    "Kingdom of God",
    "Sermon on the Mount",
    "Great Commission",
    "Fulfillment of Prophecy",
    "Synoptic Gospels"
  ],
  "see_also": [
    "Mark, Gospel of",
    "Luke, Gospel of",
    "John, Gospel of",
    "Son of David",
    "Kingdom of Heaven"
  ],
  "lede_intro": "The Gospel of Matthew is the first book of the New Testament and one of the four canonical Gospels. It presents Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of God’s promises to Israel, the Son of David, and the authoritative Teacher who proclaims the kingdom of heaven.",
  "at_a_glance_definition": "A canonical Gospel that records Jesus’ genealogy, birth, ministry, teaching, miracles, death, resurrection, and the Great Commission.",
  "at_a_glance_key_points": [
    "Emphasizes fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy",
    "Presents Jesus as Messiah and King",
    "Includes major teaching sections such as the Sermon on the Mount",
    "Ends with the risen Christ’s commission to make disciples of all nations"
  ],
  "description_academic_short": "The Gospel of Matthew is one of the four canonical Gospels and is placed first in the New Testament. It emphasizes Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament promise, the Son of David, and the One who announces and embodies the kingdom of heaven. The book includes major teaching sections, accounts of Jesus’ miracles, and the passion and resurrection narratives.",
  "description_academic_full": "The Gospel of Matthew is the first of the four canonical Gospels and gives a Spirit-inspired account of the life, teaching, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It especially highlights Jesus as the promised Messiah, the Son of David, and the fulfillment of God’s purposes revealed in the Old Testament. Matthew combines narrative and teaching, including extended discourses such as the Sermon on the Mount, while also showing Jesus’ authority in preaching, healing, confronting sin, and calling disciples. Christians have differed on some historical questions surrounding authorship, date, and original audience, but the church has consistently received this book as Holy Scripture and a faithful witness to Christ. Its central message is that in Jesus, God’s kingdom has drawn near and the risen Lord commissions His disciples to make disciples of all nations.",
  "background_biblical_context": "Matthew opens with a genealogy that connects Jesus to Abraham and David, then traces His birth, ministry in Galilee and Judea, conflict with religious leaders, crucifixion, resurrection, and the commissioning of His disciples. It stands as a bridge between Old Testament promise and New Testament fulfillment.",
  "background_historical_context": "The book was written in the early church era for readers who needed a clear presentation of Jesus’ identity and authority. Its frequent fulfillment citations and ordered teaching sections suggest a setting in which Jewish-Gentile questions, messianic expectation, and discipleship formation were especially important.",
  "background_jewish_ancient_context": "Matthew is deeply shaped by Israel’s Scriptures, covenant hope, messianic expectation, and themes such as kingdom, righteousness, law, and fulfillment. It repeatedly shows Jesus as the true Israelite King and the promised Son of David, while also speaking to a Jewish world that valued Torah, prophecy, and temple-related hopes.",
  "key_texts_primary": [
    "Matt 1:1",
    "5–7",
    "16:13–20",
    "28:18–20"
  ],
  "key_texts_secondary": [
    "Matt 1:22–23",
    "4:17",
    "13",
    "24–25"
  ],
  "original_language_note": "The Gospel title is commonly associated with the Greek phrase rendered “According to Matthew” (Κατὰ Ματθαῖον).",
  "theological_significance": "Matthew strongly presents Jesus as the fulfillment of Scripture, the authoritative interpreter of God’s will, the inaugurator of the kingdom of heaven, and the risen Lord with universal authority. It is foundational for Christian understanding of discipleship, the church, mission, and the continuity between the Testaments.",
  "philosophical_explanation": "Matthew’s structure combines narrative and discourse to show that Jesus is not merely a teacher of moral ideals but the King whose identity, words, and works carry divine authority. The Gospel invites trust, obedience, and allegiance rather than detached observation.",
  "interpretive_cautions": "Readers should avoid treating every fulfillment citation as a simplistic proof-text detached from its Old Testament setting. Matthew’s emphasis on fulfillment must be read with grammatical-historical care and within the whole canon of Scripture.",
  "major_views_note": "Main evangelical discussions concern authorship, date, original audience, and the exact relationship of Matthew to Mark and Luke. These questions affect background details but do not alter the church’s reception of Matthew as canonical Scripture.",
  "doctrinal_boundaries": "Matthew is canonical Scripture and must be received as authoritative testimony to Jesus Christ. Its teaching should be interpreted in harmony with the rest of the Bible, not used to override clearer passages elsewhere.",
  "practical_significance": "Matthew calls believers to repent, believe the gospel, pursue righteousness, pray, forgive, obey Christ’s teaching, and participate in the church’s mission to all nations.",
  "meta_description": "Overview of the Gospel of Matthew, the first New Testament Gospel, emphasizing Jesus as Messiah, Teacher, and King.",
  "public_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/matthew-gospel-of/",
  "json_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/data/dictionary/matthew-gospel-of.json",
  "final_disposition": "PUBLISH_CANONICAL"
}