Matthew was working as a tax collector in Carpenaum when he was invited by Jesus to become a disciple. Later after the Passover of 31 c.e, he was also chosen as one of the twelve (12) apostles. Matthew personally witnessed most of Jesus’ three and a half year ministry. In around the year of 41 c.e, he was the first to write an account about Jesus’ life and teachings. His account would eventually become one of the four bible books, along with Mark, Luke and John as the Gospels. The book of Matthew focuses on the time period between 2 b.c.e and 33 c.e. It includes events just before Jesus’ birth and ends with Jesus’ command to go, make disciples.

Although Matthew is the first book of the Christian Greek scriptures, there’s evidence that it was originally written in Hebrew. Sometimes later, Matthew himself might have translated his Gospel to Greek.

The book has been divided into 28 chapters. In the first 18 chapters, much of the content is arranged by subject, focussing on the teachings found in Jesus’ public discourses. Starting in Chapter 19 however, Matthew turns his attention to the last days of Jesus’ ministry and generally relates the events in the order that they happened.

About 40% of Matthew’s gospel is unique, describing events and details not found in the other three (3) gospels.
It begins with Abraham and lists the family line of Jesus through his adoptive father Joseph, proving that Jesus is the legal heir of David.
It provides a thorough account of Jesus’ sermon of the mount and it also includes many of Jesus’ illustrations, such as the wheat and the weeds, the pearl of high value and the dragnet.

Matthew’s account greatly emphasis that the theme of Jesus’ teaching was the Kingdom of the heavens. To help readers identify Jesus as the promised Messiah, this book includes numerous direct quotes and references from the Hebrew Scriptures. No wonder Matthew has been described as a bridge between the Hebrew and the Christian Greek scriptures.

Note how the gospel establishes Jesus’ legal right to David’s throne. Emphasising Christ’s teachings and highlights God’s kingdom.