fr_bc/41-mat/intro.md

# Introduction to Matthew

## Overview 

Matthew wrote  certain things about Jesus in his gospel. These things helped people to know about Jesus. They helped them to know that Jesus was the Messiah even though he did not free the Jews from the Roman Empire. 


See: [Gospel](../articles/gospel.md); [Messiah (Christ)](../articles/messiahchrist.md)



### Who wrote this gospel? 

The book does not give the name of the author. However, since early Christian times scholars have thought that the apostle Matthew wrote this gospel. 


See: [Apostle](../articles/apostle.md); [Gospel](../articles/gospel.md)



### To whom did Matthew write?

Matthew wrote to Christians and non-Christians. Scholars think he was thinking more about the Jews when he wrote than the Gentiles.

See: [Gentile](../articles/gentile.md)

### What did Mattew write about in this gospel?

The Gospel of Matthew is one of four books in the New Testament that describe some of Jesus’ life. The authors of the gospels wrote in different ways about who Jesus was and what he did. Matthew showed that Jesus is the Messiah and that God would save Israel through him. Matthew often explained that Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies about the messiah. 

See: [Messiah (Christ)](../articles/messiahchrist.md); [Gospel](../articles/gospel.md); Israel;[Fulfill (Fulfillment)](../articles/fulfill.md); [Old Testament (Law and Prophets)](../articles/oldtestament.md)

### Why did Matthew write this gospel?

Matthew wanted his readers to know that Jesus is the messiah. He was different than the messiah they were expecting, but he is still their king. He wanted people to know why the Jews rejected him and the plans God has for Israel in the future. 
Outline of Matthew
1. The birth of Jesus Christ and when he began to serve God in a certain way (1:1-4:25)
2. Jesus’ teaching on the side of the mountain (5:1-7:28)
3. Jesus illustrates the kingdom of God by healing people (8:1-9:34)
4. Jesus’s teaching about his the things God wanted him to do and the kingdom of God (9:35-10:42)
5. Jesus’ teaching about the gospel of the kingdom of God. The beginning of opposition to
Jesus (11:1-12:50)
6. Jesus’ parables about the kingdom of God (13:1-52)
7. Further opposition to Jesus and misunderstanding of the kingdom of God (13:53-17:57)
8. Jesus’ teaching about life in the kingdom of God (18:1-35)
9. Jesus’ serving God in Jerusalem (19:1-23:39)
10. Jesus’ teaching on the end of the age (24:1-25:46)
11. The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus (26:1-28:15)
12. The final instruction of Jesus to his disciples (28:16-20)

See: Kingdom of God; Parable; Crucify (Crucifixion); Resurrect (Resurrection); Disciple