Introduction: A Story Born in the New Testament, Rooted in Ancient Hope

In the New Testament, few books have captured hearts, inspired nations, and shaped history as deeply as the Gospel of Matthew. Yet its story does not begin in Bethlehem, or at the Sea of Galilee, or even in the days when the Roman Empire ruled Israel.

It begins hundreds of years earlier in the ancient expectations, prophecies, and hopes preserved throughout the Old Testament.

The Gospel of Matthew is the bridge between these two worlds:

the Old Testament’s promises,
and the New Testament’s fulfillment.

This article takes you on an immersive, story-like journey through:

The life of Matthew
The true historical setting
Jesus’ life, teachings, and miracles
The Old Testament prophecies He fulfilled
How Matthew crafted his Gospel
Hidden symbolism
The powerful message Matthew delivers to the world

Let’s begin this true, fascinating, and life-changing story.

1. Matthew’s Early Life: The Unlikely Author

Before he became a Gospel writer, Matthew had a life many Jews despised.

1.1 Matthew the Tax Collector

Matthew (also called Levi) worked as a tax collector for the Roman government. Tax collectors were seen as:

greedy
corrupt
traitors to their people
spiritually unclean

He collected money from Jews to give to their enemies, the Romans.

He was, in simple terms, the kind of man people avoided.

1.2 The Moment That Changed Everything

One quiet morning, Matthew sat at his tax booth counting coins. While others looked at him with disgust, one Man stopped in front of him Jesus of Nazareth.

Jesus didn’t lecture him.
Jesus didn’t shame him.

He simply said:

“Follow Me.”

Matthew got up and left everything.

His past.
His wealth.
His reputation.
His profession.

He walked away into a new life that would one day impact millions.

At that moment, Matthew experienced something the Old Testament prophets often described:
God choosing the unlikely.

2. Why Matthew Wrote His Gospel

Matthew’s Gospel is not just a biography it is a message with a mission.

His goal was to prove:

✔ Jesus is the Messiah

✔ Jesus fulfilled ancient prophecies

✔ Jesus is the promised Son of David

✔ Jesus is the Savior the world waited for

But Matthew didn’t write this as a cold historian.

He wrote as someone who had lived this story, who had personally experienced Jesus’ mercy, teaching, miracles, and power.

He wrote as someone saved from a broken past.

This is why Matthew’s Gospel is filled with emotion, detail, and personal insight.

3. The World Into Which Jesus Was Born

To understand Matthew’s Gospel, we must understand its setting.

3.1 Israel Under Roman Control

In Matthew’s time:

Rome ruled the land
Heavy taxes oppressed the people
Soldiers were everywhere
Freedom was restricted
Jewish leaders were divided

The people longed for deliverance.

3.2 A Nation Waiting for a Messiah

For centuries, the Jews held onto Old Testament promises:

a King from David’s line
a Savior to defeat oppression
a Healer to restore the broken
a Teacher greater than Moses
a Light shining in the darkness

Matthew knew these prophecies well.

He wrote his Gospel to show that Jesus was the One they had been waiting for.

4. The Birth of Jesus: Beginning of a New Testament Era

Matthew begins with a powerful statement:

“This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham.”

In those words, he links Jesus to:

Abraham, the father of Israel
David, the greatest king
The Messiah, the promised Savior

4.1 The Virgin Birth

Matthew tells the story of Mary, visited by an angel, overshadowed by the Holy Spirit, fulfilling the prophecy from Isaiah:

“A virgin shall conceive and bear a son.”

4.2 The Visit of the Wise Men

Wise men from the East traveled to worship the newborn King.

Their gifts gold, frankincense, myrrh symbolized:

Kingship
Priesthood
Sacrifice

4.3 The Escape to Egypt

When King Herod tried to kill Jesus, Joseph took Mary and Jesus to Egypt, fulfilling the ancient words:

“Out of Egypt I called My Son.”

This theme repeats throughout Matthew:

Jesus fulfills promises made long before His birth.

5. John the Baptist: Preparing the Way

Before Jesus began His ministry, another figure appeared—a voice crying out in the wilderness.

John the Baptist.

Matthew shows that John fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy:

“Prepare the way of the Lord.”

John’s message was simple:

“Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”

He baptized thousands, preparing hearts for the One coming after him.

6. Jesus’ Baptism: A New Beginning

When Jesus came to the Jordan River, John hesitated.

But Jesus insisted.

As He rose from the water:

The heavens opened
The Spirit descended like a dove
A voice declared:
“This is my beloved Son.”

This moment marks the beginning of Jesus’ New Testament ministry.

7. The Temptation: Jesus Faces the Enemy

Jesus fasted forty days in the wilderness. Satan tempted Him three times, but Jesus resisted using the words of Scripture.

Matthew shows:

Jesus is faithful
Jesus is strong
Jesus is the true Son
Jesus is greater than Adam
Jesus is greater than Israel

This battle proves Jesus can conquer sin and temptation for all humanity.

8. The Calling of the Disciples

Jesus began gathering His followers.

He called fishermen:

Peter
Andrew
James
John

He called a tax collector:

Matthew himself

He called the ordinary, the forgotten, the imperfect just like the Old Testament pattern where God chose shepherds, dreamers, and exiles.

9. The Sermon on the Mount: Jesus Gives the New Law

One day, Jesus climbed a mountain and began teaching.

Matthew describes this moment like a new Moses giving a new covenant.

Jesus taught:

The Beatitudes
The meaning of true righteousness
The heart behind God’s law
Love for enemies
The Lord’s Prayer
Living with faith and humility

The crowds were astonished.

His teachings touched the deepest parts of the heart.

10. The Miracles of Jesus: Heaven Touching Earth

Matthew records many miracles, each with purpose and Old Testament roots.

Jesus healed:

Lepers
The blind
The paralyzed
The demon-possessed

Jesus calmed storms

Jesus multiplied food

Jesus raised the dead

Each miracle demonstrated:

Authority
Compassion
Power
Fulfillment of prophecy

People said:

“We have never seen anything like this.”

11. Jesus as the Good Shepherd

Matthew paints Jesus as the Shepherd promised by prophets like Ezekiel.

Jesus described God’s love through parables of:

Lost sheep
Hidden treasure
Seeds growing into trees
A father welcoming a lost son

These stories carried deep Old Testament symbolism.

12. The Growing Conflict: Religious Leaders vs Jesus

As Jesus’ influence grew, so did opposition.

The Pharisees challenged Him.
The Sadducees plotted against Him.
The teachers of the law envied His authority.

Yet Jesus continued to:

Heal
Teach
Forgive
Love

And fulfill prophecy after prophecy.

13. Peter’s Confession: “You Are the Messiah”

At Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asked His disciples:

“Who do you say I am?”

Peter replied:

“You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus confirmed this truth—He was indeed the promised One.

14. The Triumphal Entry: The King Arrives

Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling Zechariah’s prophecy:

“Your king comes to you, humble and riding on a donkey.”

Crowds shouted:

“Hosanna to the Son of David!”

Matthew shows the world’s long-awaited King had arrived.

15. The Last Supper: A New Covenant

During the Passover meal, Jesus broke bread and shared a cup of wine.

He said:

“This is my body.”
“This is my blood of the new covenant.”

Matthew reveals Jesus as:

The true Passover Lamb
The mediator of a new covenant
The fulfillment of God’s ancient promises

16. The Betrayal, Trial & Crucifixion

Matthew describes these events with heartbreaking detail.

Judas betrayed Jesus
Leaders falsely accused Him
A crowd chose Barabbas
Soldiers mocked Him
Nails pierced His hands

Yet in every moment, prophecy was fulfilled.

Jesus cried out:
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

And He died.

The earth shook.
The curtain in the temple tore.
Tombs opened.

A Roman soldier declared:
“Truly, this was the Son of God.”

17. The Resurrection: The New Testament’s Greatest Moment

On the third day, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to the tomb.

An angel appeared.
The stone was rolled away.
The guards trembled in fear.

The angel said:

“He is not here. He is risen.”

Jesus appeared to His disciples, proving His victory over death.

This moment became the foundation of Christianity.

18. The Great Commission: A Global Mission Begins

Matthew ends his Gospel with Jesus’ command:

“Go and make disciples of all nations…
I am with you always.”

This fulfilled the promise made to Abraham:

Through your seed, all nations will be blessed.

Conclusion: Why the Gospel of Matthew Still Matters Today

The Gospel of Matthew is more than a book.

It is:

a true story
a divine message
a bridge between old promises and new realities
a testimony of God’s love
a record of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection

Matthew shows us:

Jesus is the Messiah
Jesus is the King
Jesus is the Savior
Jesus is God with us
Jesus is the fulfillment of ancient prophecy

This Gospel continues to touch lives, inspire faith, and change hearts all over the world.

The Gospel of Matthew: A Powerful True Story of Jesus, Fulfilled Prophecy & New Testament Truth