-

Time Written:

A.D. 50–70, likely in a location where both Jewish and Gentile Christians were present, such as Antioch in Syria.

Historical Context:

Matthew, a former tax collector turned disciple of Jesus, wrote this Gospel to a Jewish audience to present Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah. It is rich with Old Testament references, designed to connect Jesus' life and ministry to Jewish prophecies about the coming Savior. Matthew likely wrote after the church had grown but before the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in A.D. 70. Its structured, teaching-focused format suggests it was also used for early Christian instruction.

Main Message:

Jesus is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, the rightful King in the line of David, and the Savior for all people. Matthew highlights Jesus’ teachings, including the Sermon on the Mount (chapters 5–7), and emphasizes the Kingdom of Heaven as a spiritual reality available to all who follow Christ.

Fun Fact:
Matthew is the only Gospel to use the phrase "Kingdom of Heaven" (instead of "Kingdom of God") because Jewish readers often avoided directly saying God's name.