GETTING READY: Outline of the Gospel of Matthew

One highly effective way to learn a new book, is to create an outline showing its structure. This allows you to view the book at a high level, and understand how it is put together. The outline of the gospel of Matthew could be a powerful study tool for you, as you prepare to quiz on this amazing book!

I. The Incarnation and Preparation of the King (1:1–4:11)67

• A. The Incarnation of the King (1:1–2:23)
• 1. The Genealogy of the King (1:1-17)
  2. The Birth of the King (1:18-25)
• a. The Betrothal to the Virgin (1:18-19)
  b. The Angelic Visit to Joseph (1:20-21)
  c. The Fulfillment of Prophecy (1:22-23)
  d. The Birth of Jesus (1:24-25)
• 3. The Childhood of the King: Foreshadowing Events to Come (2:1-23)
• a. The Worship of the Magi: Foreshadowing of Gentile Worship (2:1-12)
• 1) Magi Coming to Jerusalem (2:1-5)
  2) The Fulfillment of Prophecy (2:6)
  3) Magi Worshipping the King (2:7-12)
• b. The Escape to Egypt: Foreshadowing of Jesus’ Withdrawals (2:13-15)
• 1) The Escape to Egypt (2:13-14)
  2) The Fulfillment of Prophecy (2:15)
• c. The Slaughter of the Innocent Ones: Foreshadowing of Death of Christ (2:16-18)
• 1) Herod’s Slaughter of the Babes (2:16)
  2) The Fulfillment of Prophecy (2:17-18)
• d. The Return to Nazareth: Foreshadowing of Jewish Rejection of Jesus (2:19-23)
• 1) The Return to Nazareth (2:19-22)
  2) The Fulfillment of Prophecy (2:23)
• B. The Preparation of the King (3:1–4:11)
• 1. The Preparation for the Kingdom by John the Baptist’s Preaching (3:1-12)
  2. The Inauguration of Ministry by John’s Baptism of Jesus (3:13-17)
  3. The Demonstration of Worthiness by the Devil’s Temptation of Jesus (4:1-11)

II. The Declaration of the Principles of the King (4:12–7:29)

• A. The King’s Ministry Begun (4:12-25)
• 1. The Occasion: John’s Imprisonment (4:12-16)
  2. The Message: The Nearness of the Kingdom (4:17)
  3. The Calling of the First Disciples (4:18-22)
  4. Summary of the King’s Ministry (4:23-25)
• a. Proclamation (4:23a)
  b. Proof (4:23b-25)
• B. The King’s Message Declared (5:1–7:29)
• 1. The Setting (5:1-2)
  2. The Subjects of the Kingdom (5:3-16)
• a. Blessings by God (5:3-12)
  b. Responsibilities before Men (5:13-16)
• 3. The Truth about the Kingdom (5:17–7:12)
• a. Exposition of the Intent of the Law (5:17-48)
• 1) The Law’s Principles Affirmed (5:17-20)
  2) The Law’s Intentions Explained (5:21-48)
• a) Regarding Hatred and Murder (5:21-26)
  b) Regarding Lust and Adultery (5:27-30)
  c) Regarding Commitment and Divorce (5:31-32)
  d) Regarding Honesty and Oaths (5:33-37)
  e) Regarding Rights and Retaliation (5:38-42)
  f) Regarding Love and Hatred (5:43-48)
• b. Exhortation toward Internal Righteousness (6:1-18)
• 1) Summary: External Vs. Internal Righteousness (6:1)
  2) Specifics: The Rewards of External and Internal Righteousness (6:2-18)
• a) The Rewards for Almsgiving (6:2-4)
  b) The Rewards for Praying (6:5-15)
  c) The Rewards for Fasting (6:16-18)
• c. Examination of the Intentions of the Heart (6:19–7:11)
• 1) Regarding Investments (6:19-24)
  2) Regarding Worry (6:25-34)
  3) Regarding a Critical Spirit toward Believers (7:1-5)
  4) Regarding Discernment toward Unbelievers (7:6)
  5) Regarding Petitions toward God (7:7-11)
• d. Summary on the Intent of the Law (7:12)
• 4. The Way to Enter the Kingdom (7:13-27)
• a. The Two Gates (7:13-14)
  b. The Two Trees (7:15-23)
  c. The Two Houses (7:24-27)
• 5. Conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount: Response of the Multitudes (7:28-29)

III. The Commission of the Messengers of the King (8:1–11:1)

• A. The Power of the King Demonstrated (8:1–9:34)
• 1. Compassionate Miracles (8:1-17)
• a. Leprosy (8:1-4)
  b. Paralysis (8:5-13)
  c. Fever and Demons (8:14-17)
• 2. The Cost of Discipleship (8:18-22)
  3. Authoritative Miracles (8:23–9:8)
• a. In the Realm of Nature (8:23-27)
  b. In the Realm of the Supernatural (8:28-34)
  c. In the Realm of the Spiritual (9:1-8)
• 4. The Nature of Discipleship (9:9-17)
• a. The Calling of Matthew (9:9-13)
  b. The Question about Fasting (9:14-17)
• 5. Courageous Miracles (9:18-34)
• a. Life (9:18-26)
  b. Sight (9:27-31)
  c. Speech (9:32-34)
• B. The Proclamation of the King Delegated (9:35–11:1)
• 1. The Compassion of Jesus (9:35-38)
  2. The Commission of the Twelve (10:1-42)
• a. The Delegation of Authority (10:1-4)
• 1) The Nature of the Authority (10:1)
  2) The Names of the Apostles (10:2-4)
• b. The Directions to the Apostles (10:5-42)
• 1) The Sphere and Nature of their Work (10:5-8)
  2) The Provisions for their Work (10:9-15)
  3) Their Perseverance in the Work (10:16-31)
• a) In Spite of Persecution (10:16-23)
  b) In Light of the Rejection of their Master (10:24-25)
  c) In Response to God’s Sovereignty (10:26-31)
  d) In the Hope of Heavenly Acknowledgment (10:32-33)
  e) In Recognition of the Claims Jesus Makes on them (10:34-39)
• 4) The Reward for Hospitality (10:40-42)
• 3. Conclusion of Commission, Continuation of Ministry (11:1)

IV. The Opposition to the King (11:2–13:53)

• A. The Antagonism of the Jews (11:2–12:50)
• 1. Commendation of John in spite of his Doubts (11:2-19)
• a. The Doubts by John (11:2-6)
  b. The Commendation by Jesus (11:7-15)
  c. The Capriciousness of the Multitudes (11:16-19)
• 2. Condemnation of the Cities because of their Unbelief (11:20-24)
  3. Invitation to the Weary to Find Rest (11:25-30)
  4. Confrontation with the Pharisees in Light of their Mounting Hostility (12:1-45)
• a. Concerning Jesus’ Authority over the Sabbath (12:1-21)
• 1) Plucking Grain (12:1-8)
  2) Doing Good (12:9-14)
  3) Foreshadowing: Prediction of Gentile Reception (12:15-21)
• b. Concerning Jesus’ Power over the Supernatural (12:22-37)
  c. Concerning Jesus’ Proof of Spiritual Source (12:38-45)
• 5. Invitation to the Willing to Become God’s Children (12:46-50)
• B. The Parables of Jesus (13:1-53)
• 1. The Setting (13:1-2)
  2. The Responsibility of those who Hear (13:3-23)
• a. The Parable of the Sower (13:3-9)
  b. The Purpose of the Parables (13:10-17)
  c. The Parable of the Sower Explained (13:18-23)
• 3. The Parables of the Kingdom (13:24-50)
• a. The Parable of the Wheat and Weeds (13:24-30)
  b. The Parable of the Mustard Seed (13:31-32)
  c. The Parable of the Leaven (13:33)
  d. Fulfillment of Prophecy (13:34-35)
  e. The Parable of the Wheat and Weeds Explained (13:36-43)
  f. The Parable of the Hidden Treasure (13:44)
  g. The Parable of the Pearl (13:45)
  h. The Parable of the Net (13:46-50)
• 4. The Responsibility of those who Understand the Parable of the Householder (13:51-52)
  5. Conclusion to the Parables, Continuation of Ministry (13:53)

V. The Reaction of the King (13:54–19:2)

• A. The Withdrawals from the Antagonists because of Rejection (13:54–16:20)
• 1. The Catalyst (13:54–14:12)
• a. Unbelief in Hometown of Nazareth (13:54-58)
  b. Beheading of John by Herod (14:1-12)
• 2. The Withdrawals (14:13–16:20)
• a. To a Deserted Place (14:13–15:20)
• 1) Miracles Performed (14:13-36)
• a) Feeding of the Five Thousand (14:13-21)
  b) Walking on the Water (14:22-33)
  c) Healings at Gennesaret (14:34-36)
• 2) Pharisees Confronted: Clean Vs. Unclean (15:1-20)
• a) Confrontation with the Pharisees (15:1-9)
  b) Declaration to the Crowd (15:10-11)
  c) Instruction of the Disciples (15:12-20)
• b. To the Region of Phoenicia: The Healing of the Canaanite Woman’s Daughter (15:21-28)
  c. To the Sea of Galilee: The Feeding of the Four Thousand (15:29-38)
  d. To Magadan (15:39–16:12)
• 1) The Withdrawal to Magadan (15:39)
  2) The Pharisees’ and Sadducees’ Demand for a Sign (16:1-4)
  3) The Pharisees’ and Sadducees’ Teaching Warned Against (16:5-12)
• e. To Caesarea Philippi: The Revelation of Jesus’ Person (16:13-20)
• B. The Return to Judea in spite of Rejection (16:21–19:2)
• 1. The Catalyst: The Prediction of Jesus’ Death and Resurrection (16:21-28)
  2. The Comfort: The Transfiguration (17:1-13)
  3. The Instruction of the Disciples in Galilee (17:14–18:35)
• a. Concerning Faith (17:14-21)
• 1) The Healing of a Demon-Possessed Boy (17:14-18)
  2) The Challenge to the Disciples (17:19-21)
• b. Concerning His Death and Resurrection: Second Mention (17:22-23)
  c. Concerning Tribute (17:24-27)
  d. Concerning Humility (18:1-4)
  e. Concerning Salvation (18:5-14)
• 1) Warning against Stumbling Blocks (18:5-9)
  2) Searching for Lost Sheep (18:10-14)
• f. Concerning Discipline (18:15-20)
  g. Concerning Forgiveness (18:21-35)
• 4. Conclusion of Instruction, Continuation of Journey (19:1-2)

VI. The Presentation and Rejection of the King (19:3–26:1)

• A. The Instruction of the Disciples in Judea (19:3–20:34)
• 1. Concerning Divorce, Marriage, and the Kingdom (19:3-12)
• a. Confrontation about Divorce (19:3-9)
  b. Celibacy and the Kingdom (19:10-12)
• 2. Concerning Childlikeness and the Kingdom (19:13-15)
  3. Concerning Wealth and the Kingdom (19:16–20:16)
• a. The Rich Young Man: Security in Riches (19:16-26)
  b. The Disciples: Security in Christ (19:27-30)
  c. The Parable of the Vineyard: Rewards in the Kingdom (20:1-16)
• 4. Concerning His Death and Resurrection: Third Mention (20:17-19)
  5. Concerning Servant-Leadership and the Kingdom (20:20-34)
• a. John’s and James’ Request (20:20-23)
  b. Jesus’ Response (20:24-28)
  c. Jesus’ Example: Healing of Two Blind Men (20:29-34)
• B. The Presentation of the King (21:1-17)
• 1. The Preparation for the King’s Coming (21:1-7)
  2. The Entrance into Jerusalem (21:8-11)
  3. The Entrance into the Temple (21:12-17)
• C. The Rejection of the King by the Nation (21:18–22:46)
• 1. The Withering Fig Tree: Foreshadowing of the Judgment of the Nation (21:18-22)
  2. Jesus’ Authority Questioned: Foreshadowing of Conflict (21:23-27)
  3. Three Parables: Stimulus for Confrontation (21:28–22:14)
• a. The Parable of the Two Sons (21:28-32)
  b. The Parable of the Wicked Tenants (21:33-46)
  c. The Parable of the Wedding Banquet (22:1-14)
• 4. Four Confrontations: Evidence of Rejection (22:15-46)
• a. By the Pharisees and Herodians: Paying Taxes to Caesar (22:15-22)
  b. By the Sadducees: Marriage at the Resurrection (22:23-33)
  c. By the Pharisees: The Great Commandment (22:34-40)
  d. Against the Pharisees: Whose Son is the Christ? (22:41-46)
• D. The Rejection of the Nation by the King (23:1-39)
• 1. Instructions to the Crowd and Disciples concerning the Pharisees (23:1-12)
  2. Warnings to the Pharisees concerning Themselves: The Seven Woes (23:13-36)
• a. First Woe: Shut out of the Kingdom (23:13-14)
  b. Second Woe: Swearing (23:15-22)
  c. Third Woe: Straining out a Gnat (23:23-24)
  d. Fourth Woe: Cleaning the Cup (23:25-26)
  e. Fifth Woe: Whitewashed Tombs (23:27-28)
  f. Sixth Woe: Murdering the Prophets (23:29-32)
  g. Seventh Woe: Pronouncement of Judgment (23:33-36)
• 3. Lamentation over Jerusalem (23:37-39)
• E. The Predictions of the King concerning the Judgment of the Nation and the Consummation of the Kingdom (24:1–26:1)
• 1. The Setting in the Temple (24:1-2)
  2. The Discourse on the Mount of Olives (24:3–25:46)
• a. Signs of the End of the Age (24:3-35)
  b. The Day and Hour Unknown (24:36-51)
  c. The Parable of the Ten Virgins (25:1-13)
  d. The Parable of the Talents (25:14-30)
  e. The Sheep and the Goats (25:31-46)
• 3. The Conclusion of the Olivet Discourse (26:1)

VII. The Crucifixion and Resurrection of the King (26:2–28:20)

• A. The Crucifixion of the King (26:2–27:66)
• 1. The Prediction of His Death: Fourth Mention (26:2)
  2. The Plot to Kill Jesus (26:3-5)
  3. The Preparation for His Death (26:6-46)
• a. The Anointing at Bethany (26:6-13)
  b. Judas’ Agreement to Betrayal (26:14-16)
  c. The Last Passover (26:17-30)
  d. The Prediction of Peter’s Denials (26:31-35)
  e. Gethsemane (26:36-46)
• 4. The Arrest of Jesus (26:47-56)
  5. The Trials of Jesus (26:57–27:26)
• a. The Trial Before the Sanhedrin (26:57-67)
  b. Two Disciples’ Responses (26:68–27:10)
• 1) Peter Denies Jesus (26:68-75)
  2) Judas Hangs Himself (27:1-10)
• c. The Trial Before Pilate (27:11-26)
• 6. The Crucifixion of Jesus (27:27-56)
• a. The Mocking of the Soldiers (27:27-31)
  b. The Actual Crucifixion of Jesus (27:32-44)
  c. The Death of Jesus (27:45-56)
• 7. The Burial of Jesus (27:57-66)
• a. Joseph’s Tomb (27:57-61)
  b. Pilate’s Guard (27:62-66)
• B. The Resurrection of the King (28:1-20)
• 1. The Empty Tomb (28:1-10)
  2. The Guards’ Report (28:11-15)
  3. The Great Commission (28:16-20)