Matthew opens with the family tree of Jesus — from Abraham, through King David, to Joseph. The virgin birth fulfils the prophecy: the child is Emmanuel, "God with us."

• The genealogy from Abraham to Jesus — Matthew 1:1–17
• The birth of Jesus — 1:18–25

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Wise men from the east follow a star to worship the child who is the King of the Jews. King Herod, threatened, tries to destroy Him; the family flees to Egypt and later returns to Nazareth.

• The visit of the Magi — Matthew 2:1–12
• The flight to Egypt and the return — 2:13–23

John the Baptist prepares the way. Jesus is baptised; the heavens open and God the Father speaks: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

• John the Baptist — Matthew 3:1–12
• The baptism of Jesus — 3:13–17

Jesus is led into the wilderness and tempted by the devil — He answers with Scripture and does not sin. He begins preaching in Galilee and calls His first disciples: "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."

• The temptation — Matthew 4:1–11
• The beginning of the Galilean ministry — 4:12–25

The Sermon on the Mount begins with the Beatitudes — Jesus' declarations of blessing on the poor in spirit, the mourners, the meek, the merciful, the pure in heart. He calls His people salt and light.

• The Beatitudes — Matthew 5:1–12
• Salt and light — 5:13–16
• The Law fulfilled — 5:17–48

Jesus teaches the secret life of the kingdom: giving, prayer, fasting — done for the Father's eyes, not for men's praise. The Lord's Prayer. Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.

• Giving, prayer, fasting — Matthew 6:1–18
• Treasure in heaven — 6:19–24
• Do not worry — 6:25–34

The Sermon ends: don't judge others; ask and it shall be given; the narrow gate, the tree known by its fruit, and the house built on the rock. The crowds are astonished at His authority.

• Judging and asking — Matthew 7:1–12
• The narrow gate — 7:13–14
• The wise and foolish builders — 7:15–29

Jesus cleanses a leper, heals the centurion's servant, stills the storm, and drives out demons. His authority over sickness, nature, and the spiritual realm is on display.

• The leper and the centurion — Matthew 8:1–13
• Many healed — 8:14–22
• The storm stilled and the demons cast out — 8:23–34

Jesus forgives and heals a paralysed man, calls Matthew the tax collector, and raises a ruler's daughter. "The Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins."

• The paralysed man forgiven — Matthew 9:1–8
• The call of Matthew — 9:9–13
• The ruler's daughter raised — 9:18–26
• Two blind men healed and a mute man speaks — 9:27–34
• The harvest is plentiful — 9:35–38

Jesus sends out His twelve disciples with authority: preach the kingdom, heal the sick, raise the dead. He warns of persecution and promises that those who receive them receive Him.

• The Twelve named and sent — Matthew 10:1–15
• Warnings of persecution — 10:16–33
• The cost and reward — 10:34–42

John the Baptist questions from prison; Jesus answers with His works. Jesus laments the unrepentant cities and invites the weary: "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden."

• John's question and Jesus' answer — Matthew 11:1–19
• Woes to the unrepentant — 11:20–24
• The Father's prayer — 11:25–27
• "Come unto me" — 11:28–30

Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath; He heals on it and is accused by the Pharisees. He warns against blasphemy of the Spirit and teaches that the tree is known by its fruit.

• The Sabbath controversies — Matthew 12:1–21
• Blasphemy against the Spirit — 12:22–37
• The sign of Jonah — 12:38–50

Jesus teaches in parables — stories that teach spiritual truths: the sower, the wheat and the tares, the mustard seed, the leaven, the hidden treasure, the pearl, the dragnet. The kingdom grows secretly and is of surpassing worth.

• The parable of the sower — Matthew 13:1–23
• The parables of the kingdom — 13:24–52
• Rejected at Nazareth — 13:53–58

Herod kills John the Baptist. Jesus feeds five thousand men from five loaves and two fish, and walks on the water to His terrified disciples. Peter steps out, and sinks.

• The death of John the Baptist — Matthew 14:1–12
• The feeding of the five thousand — 14:13–21
• Jesus walks on the water — 14:22–36

Jesus rebukes the traditions of the elders and heals the Canaanite woman's daughter — a sign that His mercy reaches beyond the borders of Israel. Four thousand more are fed.

• Traditions versus commandments — Matthew 15:1–20
• The Canaanite woman's faith — 15:21–28
• The feeding of the four thousand — 15:29–39

Peter confesses: "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus speaks of His coming death and resurrection, and of the cost of following Him.

• The leaven of the Pharisees — Matthew 16:1–12
• Peter's confession — 16:13–20
• The first prediction of the cross — 16:21–28

On the mountaintop, Jesus is transfigured (His appearance is changed, showing something of His glory); Moses and Elijah appear; the Father speaks again. He heals a boy the disciples could not, and predicts His death a second time.

• The transfiguration — Matthew 17:1–13
• The boy with the unclean spirit — 17:14–21
• The temple tax — 17:22–27

Jesus teaches greatness as childlike humility, the shepherd leaving the ninety-nine, church discipline, and forgiveness without limit: seventy times seven.

• The greatest in the kingdom — Matthew 18:1–9
• The lost sheep — 18:10–14
• Church discipline and authority — 18:15–20
• Forgiveness and the unforgiving servant — 18:21–35

Jesus teaches on marriage and divorce, blesses the little children, and speaks to the rich young man: "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle."

• Marriage and divorce — Matthew 19:1–12
• The little children — 19:13–15
• The rich young man — 19:16–30

The parable of the vineyard workers; Jesus predicts His death a third time; James and John seek greatness and are taught that the Son of man came to serve and to give His life a ransom for many. Two blind men receive their sight.

• The vineyard workers — Matthew 20:1–16
• The third prediction of the cross — 20:17–19
• The request of James and John — 20:20–28
• Two blind men healed — 20:29–34

Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey as the crowds cry "Hosanna" ("save, we pray", a cry that becomes praise as well as a plea); He cleanses the temple, curses the barren fig tree, and answers the chief priests about His authority with the parable of the wicked tenants.

• The triumphal entry — Matthew 21:1–11
• The cleansing of the temple — 21:12–17
• The fig tree and the tenants — 21:18–46

The parable of the wedding feast; the questions about tribute, the resurrection, and the great commandment. Jesus asks the Pharisees whose Son the Christ is — and they are silenced.

• The wedding feast — Matthew 22:1–14
• Tribute to Caesar — 22:15–22
• The Sadducees and the resurrection — 22:23–33
• The great commandment — 22:34–40
• Whose Son is Christ — 22:41–46

Jesus denounces the scribes and Pharisees: seven woes against hypocrisy. "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!" — a terrible declaration of the trouble to come — and His longing over Jerusalem.

• The hypocrisy of the Pharisees — Matthew 23:1–36
• The lament over Jerusalem — 23:37–39

From the Mount of Olives Jesus speaks of the end: wars, famines, persecution, the abomination of desolation, the coming of the Son of man, and the call to watch.

• The beginning of sorrows — Matthew 24:1–14
• The great tribulation — 24:15–31
• Watch, for you do not know the hour — 24:32–51

Three parables of readiness and coming judgment: the ten virgins, the talents, and the sheep and the goats. "Come, ye blessed of my Father" and "Depart from me" — the separation at the King's return.

• The ten virgins — Matthew 25:1–13
• The talents — 25:14–30
• The sheep and the goats — 25:31–46

The plot against Jesus; the woman anoints Him at Bethany; the Last Supper; Gethsemane, a garden just outside Jerusalem; the betrayal of Judas; the arrest. "Not as I will, but as thou wilt."

• The anointing at Bethany — Matthew 26:1–16
• The Last Supper — 26:17–35
• Gethsemane and the arrest — 26:36–56
• Jesus before Caiaphas — 26:57–75

Judas, one of the Twelve who had betrayed Him, hangs himself; Jesus stands before Pilate and is condemned. He is mocked, scourged, and crucified. The earth darkens, the veil of the temple tears, and He cries out and dies. He is buried in a borrowed tomb.

• Jesus before Pilate — Matthew 27:1–31
• The crucifixion — 27:32–50
• The earthquake and the centurion — 27:51–56
• The burial — 27:57–61
• The guard at the tomb — 27:62–66

The tomb is empty. Jesus meets some female followers, then the disciples on the mountain in Galilee: "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations." The Great Commission.

• The resurrection — Matthew 28:1–10
• The guards and the plot — 28:11–15
• The Great Commission — 28:16–20