Matthew 26 contains 75 verses, the second largest in the New Testament.
Matthew belongs to the fourth of the Bible's seven major divisions. This division includes the other gospels by Mark, Luke and John as well as the book of Acts. The remaining New Testament divisions are the general epistles (7 writings), the epistles of Apostle Paul (14 books) and Revelation.
[Who Were the First Disciples?]
Date Written, Location
The book of Matthew was written in Israel in 35 A.D., making it not only the earliest recorded gospel but also the earliest New Testament book! It was penned only five years after Jesus' resurrection in 30 A.D.
The Author
Matthew was a tax collector (also called a publican, Matthew 9:9) who lived either in or near Capernaum when he was called. He was the seventh disciple chosen by Jesus.
Time Period
Matthew's gospel covers the time period just prior to Jesus birth in 5 B.C. to his resurrection and meeting his disciples in Galilee in 30 A.D.
Matthew Chapter Outline
Chpt. 1: Matthew starts his gospel with Jesus' legal genealogy from Abraham through King David to his stepfather Joseph.
Chpt. 2: Wise men (Magi) arrive in Jerusalem to search for the King of the Jews. They then travel to Bethlehem where they find baby Jesus and Mary in a house. Mary, Joseph and Jesus flee to Egypt to avoid Herod the Great's murder of Bethlehem males that are 2 years old or less. After Herod's death the family travels to Nazareth.
[Jesus' Conception and Birth Timeline]
[Joseph and Mary's Prophetic Detour!]
Chpt. 3: John the Baptist preaches repentance in Judea's wilderness. Jesus gets baptized by John.
Chpt. 4: Jesus travels to a wilderness area where he fasts for 40 days. During his fasting the devil tempts him to sin.
Jesus, after John the Baptist is put in prison, moves to Capernaum. He then calls several disciples to follow him. The Lord preaches the gospel throughout Galilee.
Chpt. 5: Jesus begins his Sermon on the Mount with the Beatitudes. He teaches God's law has not been abolished but rather believers must obey its full spiritual intent. Warnings about lust, divorce and oaths are given, with the goal to be spiritually perfect like the Father. Parables on being the salt of the earth and a light to the world are given to illustrate his teachings.
[Sermon on the Mount Timeline]
Chpt. 6: The Sermon on the Mount continues. The need for humility and righteous prayer is stressed as well as dedicated service to God. We are also commended to trust God for all our needs.
Chpt. 7: The Sermon on the Mount, which underpins the New Covenant, continues. Jesus teaches to not condemn others, be persistent in prayer, and how to spot false prophets. It is also stressed that only those who hear AND obey will enter God's kingdom.
[How Are We the Salt of the Earth?]
[How Do We Become the World's Light?]
Chpt. 8: Jesus heals a leper, a Roman centurion's servant and Peter's mother-in law. While on a boat He stills a turbulent sea. While casting demons out of two men he allows the spirits to possess a herd of pigs which are immediately killed!
Chpt. 9: Jesus heals a paralyzed man and a woman with an issue of blood. Matthew is called to follow Christ. The Pharisees learn why the Lord's disciples do not fast. The parables of a new cloth on an old garment and the old wineskins are given.
[Who Has Been Resurrected from the Dead?]
Jesus raises Jairus' daughter from the dead, heals two blind men, and casts out a demon from a man unable to speak. The Lord continues his travels where he preaches the gospel and heals everyone.
Chpt. 10: Jesus sends out the twelve apostles on an evangelistic training mission. He gives them the power to heal, raise the dead and cast out demons. He also teaches that those who follow him must be willing to obey and love him above all else.
[Why Did the Disciples Preach in Pairs?]
Chpt. 11: John the Baptist sends disciples to question Jesus. The cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum are condemned for not repenting in spite of the many miracles performed in them. The Lord reveals that God the Father hides spiritual understanding from those the world thinks are wise.
Chpt. 12: Jesus declares to the Pharisees that he is the Lord of the Sabbath day. Later the same day he demonstrates this authority by healing a withered hand.
The Lord, after he is accused of casting out demons by the power of Satan, argues such an argument makes no sense. He then warns about the unpardonable sin and offers only "the sign of Jonah" as proof he is the Messiah.
When Jesus' physical family comes to speak to him, he uses it as an opportunity to teach those who do God's will are his real family.
Chpt. 13: Jesus gives seven parables is this chapter! They are the sower and the seed, the tares among wheat, the mustard seed, leaven in flour, hidden treasure, the pearl of great price and the dragnet.
The Lord also explains the full spiritual meaning of his parables can only be understood by those whose minds have been opened by God.
Jesus, after teaching in Nazareth, is rejected by those who have known him for many years.
Chpt. 14: Herod's arrest of John the Baptist leads to his beheading on Herod's birthday. Jesus miraculously feeds 5,000 men (and countless women and children).
The Lord, in the middle of the night during a storm, walks on water to the disciples' boat. He then allows Peter to do so until his faith fails him.
Chpt. 15: Jesus sternly rebukes Jewish religious leaders for following their own traditions instead of obeying God's laws.
[Are the Commandments Still Relevant?]
The Lord heals a Canaanite woman's daughter after her persistence to have her made well. He then miraculously feeds 4,000 men and an untold number of women and children.
Chpt. 16: Jesus rebukes foolish religious leaders who try to tempt him. He then warns the disciples about their vain doctrines. God reveals to Peter Jesus' true identity. The Lord then teaches he will build his church upon himself (and not any man).
Peter, acting in his usually impulsive manner, chides Christ for stating he will soon suffer and die in Jerusalem. Jesus, in return, rebukes Peter for his carnal view about his purpose and mission.
Jesus teaches those who follow him must deny themselves and be willing to bear life's trials and troubles as they do so.
Chpt. 17: Jesus takes Peter, James and John up a high mountain (Matthew 17:1 - 9). He then, in a vision, shows them his spiritual glory as a member of the Godhead (2Peter 1:16 - 17)!
Jesus casts a demon out of a young boy then explains why his disciples couldn't cast it out. The Lord miraculously produces a coin in a fish's mouth in order to pay his and Peter's tribute money paid to Jerusalem's temple (Exodus 30:12 - 14).
Chpt. 18: Jesus teaches Christians must ultimately become as humble, teachable and obedient as a little child.
The Lord gives the lost sheep parable then discusses how to solve problems between believers. Peter offers to forgive someone 7 times in a day but Christ informs him it should be unlimited! This point is further enforced by the teaching our sins wont be forgiven by God if we dont forgive each other.
Chpt. 19: The Lord teaches about divorce then blesses little children.
Jesus asserts only God, at that time he spoke, is sealed sinless and good. His offer to a rich young ruler to follow him is rejected. The parable of a camel going through the eye of a needle is given. It is revealed to the disciples what part of their reward will be in the resurrection as well as the reward for anyone who gives up all to follow the truth.
[Camel through Eye of a Needle Meaning]
Chpt. 20: The parable of the laborers in the vineyard is given. The mother of James and John petitions Christ to have her two sons sit next to him in his kingdom. Jesus condemns the concept that being "great" means ruling over others by stating the greatest in his kingdom are those who selflessly serve others.
Two blind men, sitting next to a Jericho road, are healed of their blindness.
Chpt. 21: Two disciples are sent into Bethphage to get a colt which Jesus will use to make his triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Upon entering Jerusalem he purifies the temple but throwing out the moneychangers.
Back in Jerusalem the next day, Jesus curses a fig tree. He then responds to a questioning of his authority by asking where John the Baptist's ministry was inspired by God or not.
Jesus gives the parables of the two sons and a homeowner expecting to receive fruit from his vineyard. He then condemns Jewish religious leaders for rejecting the true cornerstone of God's kingdom.
Chpt. 22: Jesus gives the parable of the marriage feast. Jewish religious leaders, who reject him, continue to conspire to entrap him in his words. The Pharisees send their disciples and the Herodians to ask him about paying taxes to Caesar. After his answer silences them, the Sadducees launch their attempt by asking which of seven men a woman had married would be her husband in the resurrection. Jesus' answer to the Sadducees' question silences them as well.
The Pharisees then launch their direct assault on trying to trip up Christ in his words. After Jesus correctly answers their question concerning the greatest commandment, he asks them a question about David's Lord and Son that baffles them. This finally stops the attempts of the Pharisees to entrap Christ!
[How Is David's Lord Also His Son?]
Chpt. 23: Jesus warns the multitudes at Jerusalem's temple that Jewish religious leaders do not practice what Scripture teaches and warns of their vanity. The Lord then begins a scathing rebuke of the leaders by labeling them hypocrites and listing several of their sinful practices.
[Where Was the Temple Located?]
Jesus closes his criticisms by bemoaning Jerusalem's willingness to kill the righteous people sent to them by God.
Chpt. 24: The disciples ask Jesus what will be the signs that will herald the end time and his return to earth. Jesus then launches into his Olivet prophecies where he lists several things that will occur before his Second Coming.
Christ, at the end of his discourse, warns Christians that they should always be faithfully serving God.
Chpt. 25: Jesus gives the parables of the ten virgins and the talents to symbolize different aspects of the Kingdom of God. He then offers the parable of the sheep and goats.
Chpt. 26: The Lord informs his disciples that he will die on Passover. While he is staying at a house in Bethany a woman anoints his head with expensive ointment. Judas Iscariot arranges to be paid thirty pieces of silver to betray Christ.
Jesus, after preparations for the Passover are completed, partakes of one last ceremony with his twelve disciples. During the meal the Lord institutes the washing of feet, as well as the taking of unleavened bread and wine, as a memorial to be carried out yearly in remembrance of his sacrifice. The bread and wine also symbolize the New Covenant between God and man.
During his final meal he signals who will betray him by giving him the "sop" or choice bread dipped in sauce given by the meal's host.
[Seating at the Last Passover]
Jesus and the disciples leave for the Mount of Olives where they wait for the Lord to be arrested. Peter's denial of Christ is predicted. During Jesus' arrest the disciples flee for their lives.
The Lord is taken to the house of the High Priest where the Sanhedrin is also gathered to question him. Several false witnesses testify against Christ. Jesus then admits he is the Son of God after the High Priest adjures him to tell the truth. The gathered leaders agree that he should be put to death. Peter denies the Lord three times as was predicted.
Chpt. 27: Jesus is delivered by the religious leaders to Pontius Pilate. Judas commits suicide. Pilate interrogates the Lord then offers to release Barabbas or him. Barabbas is freed while Jesus is tortured, mocked and taken to Golgotha to die.
[What Does Golgotha Look Like?]
[Did Anyone Think Jesus Was Innocent?]
[What Does the Temple Veil Torn Symbolize?]
Christ, while being crucified, is mocked. He makes one last cry to God then dies. The temple veil then miraculously splits in two. In the evening the Lord's body is wrapped in cloth and placed in a new tomb. The next day (Thursday), the religious leaders get permission from Pilate to secure the tomb.
Chpt. 28: Late on the Sabbath day (late Saturday before sunset) two women check on Jesus' tomb. Early the next morning it is discover the Lord had already been resurrected
Those who guarded the tomb report back to Jewish religious leaders and tell them what happened. The leaders decide to bribe the guards so that they tell everyone the lie that Jesus' body was stolen during the night!
Jesus eventually meets with his disciples in Galilee. The disciples are commissioned to preach the gopsel to the world.