The Chapters of Matthew
The Chapters of Matthew
The Chapters of Matthew
I. THE RECORD OF THE MESSIAH (1:1-17): Matthew traces the genealogy leading to Jesus Christ,
beginning with Abraham and concluding with Joseph, husband of Mary, Jesus' mother.
A. The preview (1:1): The account begins with a reference to two all-important individuals:
1. David, Israel's royal father (1:1a)
2. Abraham, Israel's racial father (1:1b)
B. The overview (1:2-16)
1. From Abraham to David (1:2-6)
2. From Solomon to Jehoiachin (Jeconiah) (1:7-11)
3. From Shealtiel to Jesus (1:12-16)
C. The review (1:17): Each phase of the threefold genealogical account encompasses fourteen
generations.
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2. The worship by the wise men (2:10-11): They present him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and
myrrh.
3. The warning from the Lord (2:12): They are told to bypass Herod en route to their home.
IV. THE ESCAPE ROUTE OF THE MESSIAH (2:13-23): Joseph takes Mary and the young Jesus to
Egypt.
A. The reasons for the trip (2:13-15)
1. To flee the wrath of Herod (2:13-14): Joseph is warned by God in a dream that Herod will try
to kill Jesus.
2. To fulfill the words of Hosea (2:15): This Old Testament prophet foretold the trip to Egypt
(Hos. 11:1).
B. The retaliation during the trip (2:16-18)
1. The purge of Herod (2:16): He kills all the male babies in Bethlehem in an attempt to eliminate
Jesus.
2. The prophecy of Jeremiah (2:17-18): This Old Testament prophet predicted the Bethlehem
massacre (Jer. 31:15).
C. The return from the trip (2:19-23): Joseph receives two more dreams.
1. First dream (2:19-21): Joseph is told that Herod is now dead and that he should depart from
Egypt with his family.
2. Second dream (2:22-23): Joseph is told that he should dwell in Nazareth.
I. JESUS AND THE DEVIL (4:1-11): Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by
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Satan.
A. The attacks (4:1-10)
1. First round (4:1-4)
a. The temptation (4:1-3): "Change these stones into loaves of bread!"
b. The triumph (4:4): "People need more than bread for their life; they must feed on every
word of God."
2. Second round (4:5-7)
a. The temptation (4:5-6): "If you are the Son of God, jump off [the pinnacle of the Temple]!"
b. The triumph (4:7): "Do not test the Lord your God!"
3. Third round (4:8-10)
a. The temptation (4:8-9): "I will give [all the glory of the world] to you if you will only kneel
down and worship me.
b. The triumph (4:10): "Get out of here, Satan. For the Scriptures say, 'You must worship the
Lord your God; serve only him."
B. The angels (4:11): Following the temptations, angels come and care for Jesus.
II. JESUS AND THE DESPERATE (4:12-17, 23-25): He officially begins his ministry to needy people
everywhere!
A. To the spiritually darkened (4:12-17): He preaches to the people, urging them to turn from sin.
B. To the physically disabled (4:23-25): He heals the sick wherever he goes.
III. JESUS AND THE DISCIPLES (4:18-22): He now extends a call to four future apostles.
A. Peter and Andrew (4:18-20)
1. The fishermen (4:18): Jesus meets these brothers by the Galilean Sea.
2. The fishers of men (4:19-20): Jesus promises to make them successful soul winners.
B. James and John (4:21-22)
1. Repairing their nets (4:21): Jesus calls them to leave their work and come with him.
2. Renouncing their nets (4:22): Like Peter and Andrew, these brothers follow Jesus.
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a. The role (5:10a, 11): God blesses those who are persecuted because they live for God.
b. The reward (5:1b, 12): The Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
B. Kingdom actions (5:13-16)
1. To function as the salt of the earth (5:13)
2. To function as the light of the world (5:14-16): Their light and good deeds shine for all.
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B. Elements in prayer (6:9-15): Jesus lists nine aspects of prayer.
1. Faith (6:9a): "Our Father in heaven."
2. Worship (6:9b): "May your name be honored."
3. Expectation (6:10a): "May your kingdom come soon."
4. Submission (6:10b): "May your will be done hereon earth, just as it is in heaven."
5. Petition (6:11): "Give us our food for today."
6. Confession (6:12a): "And forgive us our sins."
7. Compassion (6:12b, see also 14-15): "Just as we have forgiven those who have sinned
against us."
8. Dependence (6:13a): "And don't let us yield to temptation."
9. Acknowledgment (6:13b): "For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
Amen."
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C. The two kinds of disciples (7:21-23)
1. True disciples (7:21a): On judgment day, the true disciples will be separated from the false
ones.
2. False disciples (7:21b-23): On judgment day, the false disciples will be condemned.
a. The wondrous deeds they will say they did (7:22): They will say they prophesied, cast out
demons, and performed miracles in his name.
b. The wicked deeds Christ will say they did (7:21b, 23): They disobeyed the Father, and God
will say he never knew them.
D. The two trees (7:16-20)
1. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit (7:16, 18).
2. A bad tree cannot produce good fruit (7:17, 19-20).
E. The two builders (7:24-27)
1. The structures (7:24, 26)
a. One man built his house on solid rock (7:24).
b. One man built his house on shifting sand (7:26).
2. The storm (7:25, 27)
a. The house on the rock stood firm (7:25).
b. The house on the sand fell flat (7:27).
III. JESUS' DEMONSTRATIONS (7:28-29): Jesus continues to teach, amazing his listeners with his
authority.
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(3) The plea from these demons (8:30-31): They beg Jesus to send them into a herd of
nearby pigs!
(4) The Galilean Messiah, controller of demons (8:32-34)
(a) The release (8:32): He delivers the two men by ordering the demons into the herd of
pigs!
(b) The rejection (8:33-34): The foolish people living in that area plead with Christ to
depart and leave them alone.
B. Calming the sea (8:23-27)
1. The furious storm (8:23-24): A terrible storm threatens to sink the disciples' boat.
2. The fearful sailors (8:25): In desperation they awaken the sleeping Jesus, crying out for him to
save them.
3. The faithful Savior (8:26-27): He quickly stills the waters, to the amazement of the disciples!
II. THE MANDATE OF JESUS (8:18-22): He describes the cost of true discipleship to several would-
be followers.
A. Concerning one's finances (8:18-20): They will have no place to lay their heads.
B. Concerning one's family (8:21-22): They must forsake their families in order to follow Jesus.
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E. A demon-possessed mute (9:32-34)
1. The helpless one (9:32): This desperate man is brought to Jesus.
2. The Holy One (9:33)
a. The miracle (9:33a): Jesus frees him.
b. The marvel (9:33b): The watching crowd is amazed!
3. The hostile ones (9:34): He is blasphemed by the Pharisees!
F. Many sick people throughout Galilee (9:35-38)
1. The Savior's compassion (9:35-36): He travels through all the cities of that area, preaching
and healing the multitudes.
2. The Savior's command (9:37-38)
a. The situation (9:37): The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.
b. The solution (9:38): Pray that God will send forth laborers!
I. TO FORMER DISCIPLES, LIVING IN THE TIME OF CHRIST (10:1-15): Jesus speaks to the
disciples of his day.
A. The individuals (10:2-4): Here Matthew lists the names of the twelve apostles.
B. The instructions (10:1, 5-15)
1. Their mission field (10:5-6): They are to go only to the lost sheep of Israel.
2. Their mission (10:1, 7-15)
a. To preach that God's Kingdom is near (10:7)
b. To heal the sick, raise the dead, and cast out demons (10:1, 8a): They are given authority
to do these things.
c. To give freely (10:8b): They are to give as freely as they have received.
d. To remain unburdened (10:9-10): They are not to take money or extra clothes with them.
e. To bless or curse each town upon leaving (10:11-15): They are to bless worthy towns and
curse unbelieving towns.
II. TO FUTURE DISCIPLES, LIVING DURING THE TIME OF THE GREAT TRIBULATION (10:16-23):
This is assumed, based on Jesus' statement in 10:23.
A. The enemies of God will hate them (10:16-18, 23).
1. Religious persecution (10:16-17): They will be handed over to courts and beaten in
synagogues.
2. Political persecution (10:18): They will be called before governors and kings; this will give
them a chance to witness.
3. Family persecution (10:21): Family members will betray each other.
4. General persecution (10:22-23): Everyone will hate them because of their allegiance to Christ.
B. The Spirit of God will help them (10:19-20): He will give them the right words to say!
III. TO FAITHFUL DISCIPLES, LIVING THROUGHOUT CHURCH HISTORY (10:24-42): Jesus speaks
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of discipleship and persecution.
A. The certainty (10:24-25): Just as he is persecuted, his disciples also will be.
B. The confidence (10:26-31)
1. What people may do (10:26-28): They may kill the body, but they cannot touch the soul.
2. What God will do (10:29-31): He cares for both body and soul.
C. The conflict (10:34-36): Faith in Christ may well turn a person's family against him or her!
D. The conditions (10:37-38)
1. The priority of our love for Christ (10:37): We are to place him even above our families!
2. The proof of our love for Christ (10:38): We are to take up our cross and follow him.
E. The compensation (10:32-33, 39-42): These are the benefits of true discipleship:
1. To be honored by the Son in the presence of the Father (10:32-33)
2. To fully gain one's life (10:39)
3. To be given great rewards (10:40-42)
II. THE REBUKING BY THE SAVIOR (11:20-24): Jesus denounces three Galilean cities.
A. Korazin and Bethsaida (11:20-22)
1. Their privilege (11:20-21a): He did many miracles among them.
2. Their pride (11:21b): They rejected him.
3. Their punishment (11:22): Wicked Tyre and Sidon will be better off on judgment day than they!
B. Capernaum (11:23-24)
1. Its privilege (11:23b): Identical to that of the above cities.
2. Its pride (11:23a): Identical to that of the above cities.
3. Its punishment (11:24): Wicked Sodom will be better off on the judgment day than
Capernaum!
III. THE REJOICING BY THE SAVIOR (11:25-26): Jesus thanks his heavenly Father for revealing
spiritual truth to the childlike and for hiding it from those who think themselves wise.
I. JESUS AND THE PHARISEES (12:1-14, 22-45) On three separate occasions, Jesus is confronted
by these wicked men.
A. The Sabbath conflict (12:1-14): The Pharisees take issue with Jesus when he performs his
miracles.
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1. In regard to eating on the Sabbath (12:1-8): Jesus is criticized by the Pharisees for allowing
his disciples to pluck some heads of grain from a field on the Sabbath. The Savior reports by
pointing out two facts:
a. The purpose of the Sabbath (12:1-7): The Sabbath was made for man, and not the
reverse!
(1) As seen in the life of David (12:3-4): David and his men ate the bread reserved for the
priests.
(2) As seen in the law of Moses (12:5-6): The priests are allowed to serve in the Temple on
the Sabbath.
(3) As seen in the Book of Hosea (12:7): God wants them to be merciful; he doesn't care
that much about their sacrifices.
b. The person of the Sabbath (12:8): The Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath!
2. In regard to healing on the Sabbath (12:9-14): Jesus notices a man with a deformed hand.
a. The accusation (12:9-10): The Pharisees ask Jesus whether it is legal to work by healing
on the Sabbath day.
b. The answer (12:11-12): Jesus replies by asking them if they would rescue a sheep on the
Sabbath. He says, "Of course you would! And how much more valuable is a person than a
sheep!"
c. The action by the Savior (12:13-14): He heals the man's hand.
B. The source conflict (12:22-37): The Pharisees claim that Satan is the source of Jesus' miracles.
On this occasion Jesus has just healed a demon-possessed, blind, mute man.
1. The criticism by the Pharisees (12:22-29)
a. Their accusation (12:22-24): "He gets his power from Satan, the prince of demons."
b. His argument (12:25-29)
(1) "A city or home divided against itself is doomed" (12:25).
(2) "If Satan is casting out Satan, he is fighting against himself" (12:26-29).
2. The condemnation of the Pharisees (12:30-37)
a. Jesus says their sin is terrible (12:30-34).
(1) They are corrupt fruit trees (12:30-33): A tree is known by its fruit.
(2) They are poisonous snakes (12:34): Whatever is in their hearts determines what they
say.
b. Jesus says their sin is terminal (12:35-37): The words they say now will determine their
fate on judgment day.
C. The sign conflict (12:38-45): The Pharisees insist that Jesus do something spectacular just for
them.
1. Jesus refers to Jonah and Nineveh (12:38-41).
a. The illustration from the life of the prophet of God (12:38-40): Jonah's experience in the
belly of the fish depicts Jesus' death and resurrection; this is the only sign he gives them!
b. The indictment from the lips of the people of Nineveh (12:41): The Ninevites will someday
condemn Jesus' generation, for Nineveh repented at the preaching of Jonah, but Jesus is
greater than Jonah.
2. Jesus refers to Solomon and the Queen of Sheba (12:42): She will condemn Jesus'
generation because she had great respect for Solomon, and Jesus is greater than Solomon.
3. Jesus refers to eight evil spirits (12:43-45): Here Jesus likens his generation to a demon-
possessed man.
a. The first state of the man (12:43): The original demon living within him departs.
b. The final state of the man (12:44-45): Unable to find another person to indwell, the spirit
returns to the man, this time bringing seven other spirits more wicked than himself.
II. JESUS AND THE PROPHECIES (12:15-21): Jesus fulfills the prophecies of Isaiah, who predicted
the earthly ministry of the Messiah (Isa. 42:1-4).
A. Jesus' heavenly relationships (12:18a-1 8b)
1. Concerning the Father (12:18a): The Father would love him.
2. Concerning the Spirit (12:18b): The Spirit would fill him.
B. Jesus' earthly actions (12:15-17, 18c-21)
1. Concerning the nations (12:18c, 21): He would proclaim justice to the nations.
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2. Concerning himself (12:19): He would not be quarrelsome or rebellious.
3. Concerning the weak and hopeless (12:20): He would treat them with gentleness and
understanding.
4. Concerning the sick (12:15-17): He would heal the sick.
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2. It permeates every part of the dough (13:33b).
E. The treasure in the field (13:44)
1. The discovery (13:44a): A man finds a precious treasure.
2. The delight (13:44b): He is overjoyed at what he finds.
3. The decision (13:44c): He sells all that he has to buy the field.
F. The merchant and the pearl (13:45-46)
1. He seeks this pearl (13:45).
2. He buys this pearl (13:46).
G. The sorting of fish (13:47-50)
1. The information in this parable (13:47-48): Upon catching a net filled with fish, the fishermen
sort out the good from the bad.
2. The interpretation of this parable (13:49-50): At the end of the world, the angels will likewise
separate the righteous from the wicked.
H. The homeowner and his treasure (13:52): A wise teacher of God's Word can display both old
and new precious truths (Old and New Testament) like a homeowner can show off both old and
new treasures.
Ill. THE REACTION TO HIS PARABLES (13:53-58): The people in Jesus' hometown of Nazareth react
to his parables in a twofold way.
A. First they are amazed (13:53-56).
B. Then they are angered (13:57-58): Jesus does only a few miracles there because of their
unbelief.
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b. The communion (14:23): He then retires to a hill and prays.
c. The crisis (14:24): A violent storm suddenly threatens the disciples' boat.
2. Events during his walk (14:25-33)
a. The approach (14:25): In the middle of the night, Jesus comes to the disciples, walking on
the water.
b. The alarm (14:26): The disciples are terrified, thinking Jesus is a ghost!
c. The assurance (14:27): Jesus tells them who he is.
d. The attempt (14:28-31): Peter tries to walk to Jesus but soon begins to sink and cries out
for help.
e. The awe (14:32-33): At Jesus' command, the wind stops, causing the disciples to worship
him.
3. Events following his walk (14:34-36): Jesus heals many sick people on the eastern side of the
lake.
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A. Their demand (16:1): The Pharisees insist that he prove himself through some great sign from
heaven.
B. His denial (16:2-4)
1. What they would not do (16:2-3): Jesus reminds them of the many previous miracles he has
already performed, which they would not accept!
2. What he will not do (16:4): He will give them no sign except that of Jonah, a reference to his
death and resurrection.
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3. The clarification (17:11-13)
a. His answer (17:11-12)
(1) Elijah will indeed come (17:11).
(2) Elijah has already come (17:12).
b. Their assumption (17:13): By this they understand that he is referring to John the Baptist.
II. THE SOVEREIGNTY OF THE SAVIOR (17:14-21, 24-27): Jesus demonstrates his deity through
two miracles.
A. The boy with a demon (17:14-21)
1. The desperation of the father (17:14-16): He begs Jesus to heal his son.
2. The exorcism by the Lord (17:17-18): Jesus quickly drives the demon from the lad.
3. The frustration of the disciples (17:19-21)
a. They say, "Why couldn't we cast out that demon?" (17:19).
b. He says, "You didn't have enough faith" (17:21).
B. The fish with a coin (17:24-27)
1. The who (17:24b): Some tax collectors approach Peter.
2. The what (17:24c): They demand to know if Jesus will pay the Temple tax.
3. The where (17:24a): This takes place upon Jesus' arrival in Capernaum.
4. The why (17:25-26): Jesus informs Peter of two things.
a. Why he should not have to pay this tax (17:25): Kings tax the conquered, not their own
people.
b. Why he should pay the tax anyway (17:26): Though he is free, he should try not to offend
anyone.
5. The how (17:27): Jesus tells Peter to throw a line in the lake, open the mouth of the first fish
he catches, and use the coin he will find there to pay the tax!
II. HOW TO ESCAPE HELL (18:7-9): In highly metaphorical language, Jesus says:
A. Control what you do (18:7-8): If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off!
B. Control what you see (18:9): If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out!
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B. The promise (18:18-20): The authority of heaven itself will support this kind of church decision.
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II. PART TWO (19:16-30)
A. Jesus speaks concerning riches (19:16-26): Jesus meets with a rich young ruler and is asked
a question by his disciples.
1. Jesus and the ruler (19:16-22)
a. The seeking ruler (19:16-21)
(1) The ruler's confusion (19:16): "What good things must I do to have eternal life?"
(2) The Savior's clarification (19:17): "Keep the commandments!"
(3) The ruler's confirmation (19:18-20): "I've obeyed all these commandments."
(4) The Savior's conclusion (19:21): "If you want to be perfect, go and selI all you have and
give the money to the poor.... Then come, follow me."
b. The sorrowing ruler (19:22): He turns away with sadness, not willing to give up his wealth.
2. Jesus and the disciples (19:23-26)
a. The allegory (19:23-24): Jesus says it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a
needle than for a rich man to enter heaven.
b. The amazement (19:25): The disciples ask who can possibly be saved.
c. The assurance (19:26): Jesus says with God all things are possible.
B. Jesus speaks concerning rewards (19:27-30)
1. What the disciples have renounced for Jesus (19:27): They have given up everything to follow
him.
2. What the disciples will receive from Jesus (19:28-30): They will sit on thrones next to him and
will judge the twelve tribes of Israel.
II. THE PREDICTION (20:17-19): Jesus predicts two events in regard to himself.
A. The grievous event (20:17-19a)
1. His betrayal by Judas (20:17-18a): He will be betrayed to the priests.
2. His condemnation by the Jewish leaders (20:18b): He wiII be sentenced to death.
3. His mockery, whipping, and crucifixion by the Romans (20:19a)
B. The glorious event (20:19b): He will rise again on the third day!
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A. The request (20:20-21): The mother of James and John asks Jesus to allow her two sons to sit
on his right and left side in the Kingdom.
B. The response (20:22-23): Jesus denies this favor on two counts:
1. Their ignorance (20:22) Neither the mother or the sons really understand what they are
asking!
2. His inability (20:23): Seating arrangements in the Kingdom will be assigned by the Father, not
the Son!
C. The resentment (20:24): The other ten disciples are indignant when they hear what James and
John asked.
D. The requirement (20:25-28): Jesus uses this tense situation to set forth the conditions for true
greatness.
1. Greatness as viewed by the Gentiles (20:25): Greatness to them is the powerful lording of
their authority over others.
2. Greatness as viewed by God (20:26-28): It consists of becoming a servant to others!
Ill. THE RESTORATION (21:14): Jesus heals the blind and lame who come to him in the Temple.
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VI. THE CONFRONTATION (21:23-27)
A. The demand by the Pharisees (21:23): They want to know who gives Jesus the right to do the
things he does.
B. The dilemma of the Pharisees (21:24-26): Jesus traps the trappers by asking them the source
of John the Baptist's authority.
C. The defeat of the Pharisees (21:27): When they are unable to answer his question, Jesus
refuses to answer theirs!
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b. The guest who has no reply (22:12): When asked why he has no wedding clothes, the man
cannot respond.
2. The punishment (22:13-14): The guest who insults the king by refusing to wear the robe
required by all in attendance is imprisoned!
II. THE LEADERS OF ISRAEL OPPOSE THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN (22:15-46): The wicked
Pharisees and Sadducees attempt to trap Jesus on four occasions.
A. First occasion (22:15-22): Concerning paying taxes to Caesar
1. Their deceit (22:15-17): "Is it right to pay taxes to the Roman government or not?"
2. Their denunciation (22:18): Jesus calls them a group of hypocrites!
3. Their defeat (22:19-22): The Savior says, "Give to Caesar what is his and to God what is
God's!"
B. Second occasion (22:23-29): Concerning marriage and the resurrection.
1. The confrontation by the Sadducees (22:23-33)
a. Their silly example (22:24-28): They want to know if a woman married seven times on the
earth will have a husband in heaven.
b. Their serious errors (22:23, 29)
(1) Their intolerance concerning the resurrection (22:23): They don't believe in the
resurrection.
(2) Their ignorance concerning the Scriptures (22:29): They don't understand the power of
God.
2. The clarification by the Savior (22:30-33)
a. There will be no marriage in the resurrection (22:30): Why? Because people will be like the
angels in heaven.
b. There will be a resurrection (22:31-33): Why? Because God is not the God of the dead but
of the living.
C. Third occasion: Concerning the greatest commandment (22:34-40): Once again the Jewish
leaders attempt to trick Jesus.
1. Their request (22:34-36): "Which is the greatest commandment in the law?"
2. His response (22:37-40): Jesus gives them both the greatest and second greatest of all the
commandments.
a. The identifying of these two commandments (22:37-39)
(1) The first (22:37-38): "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all
your mind."
(2) The second (22:39): "Love your neighbor as yourself."
b. The importance of these two commandments (22:40): "All the other commandments and
the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments."
D. Fourth occasion: Concerning the Son of David (22:41-46)
1. Christ points out the fact that the Messiah is David's son, thus affirming the Messiah's
humanity (22:41-42).
2. Christ points out the fact that the Messiah is also David's Lord, thus affirming the Messiah's
deity (22:43-46).
I. THE ANGER OF JESUS (23:1-36): His anger is directed toward the wicked Pharisees, whom he
condemns both publicly and personally.
A. Jesus publicly condemns the Pharisees (23:1-12).
1. The wickedness of these men (23:1-7)
a. They do not practice what they preach (23:1-3).
b. They place heavy burdens upon the people (23:4).
c. They do everything for show (23:5, 7).
d. They demand to occupy the place of prominence (23:6).
2. The warning against these men (23:8-12): Jesus warns that whoever exalts himself will be
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humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted!
B. Jesus personally condemns the Pharisees (23:13-36): This he does through seven
judgments.
1. First judgment (23:13): "You won't let others enter the Kingdom of Heaven, and you won't go
in yourselves."
2. Second judgment (23:15): "You cross land and sea to make one convert, and then you turn
him into twice the son of hell as you yourselves are."
3. Third judgment (23:16-22)
a. "Blind guides! ... You say that it means nothing to swear 'by God's Temple'-you can break
that oath. But then you say that it is binding to swear 'by the gold in the Temple"' (23:16-
17).
b. "Blind fools! ... You say that to take an oath 'by the altar' can be broken, but to swear 'by
the gifts on the altar' is binding!" (23:18-22).
4. Fourth judgment (23:23-24)
a. "You are careful to tithe even the tiniest part of your income, but you ignore the important
things of the law-justice, mercy, and faith" (23:23).
b. "You strain your water so you won't accidentally swallow a gnat; then you swallow a
camel!" (23:24).
5. Fifth judgment (23:25-26): "You are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but
inside you are filthy-full of greed and self-indulgence!"
6. Sixth judgment (23:27-28): "You are like whitewashed tombs-beautiful on the outside but filled
on the inside with dead people's bones and all sorts of impurity."
7. Seventh judgment (23:29-36)
a. "You will become guilty of murdering all the godly people from righteous Abel to Zechariah"
(23:29-35).
(1) By their ancestors' hands (23:29-31): They admit that they are descendants of those
who killed the prophets.
(2) By their own hands (23:32-35): They will kill those sent to warn them.
b. "All the accumulated judgment of the centuries will break upon the heads of this very
generation" (23:36).
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C. His remarks concerning the Tribulation destruction (24:15-26, 29): Events of the final three
and a half years-the most severe part of the Great Tribulation.
1. The wickedness against God (24:15-26)
a. What the enemy will do (24:15, 23-26): Construct the sacrilegious object that causes
desecration.
(1) The statue (24:15): Assumed from Revelation 13:14-18.
(2) The subtlety (24:23-26): Many claim to be Christ.
b. What the elect are to do (24:16-22): Run for the mountains!
2. The wrath from God (24:29)
a. The sun will be darkened (24:29a).
b. The moon will not give light (24:29b).
c. The stars will fall from the sky (24:29c).
d. The powers of heaven will be shaken (24:29d).
II. THE CLIMAX OF CHRIST'S SERMON (24:27-28, 30-31, 40-41): The Second Coming.
A. The signal (24:30): The Son of Man will appear in the heavens.
B. The swiftness (24:27): As the lightning flashes across the sky.
C. The summons (24:31): Angels will be sent forth with a mighty trumpet blast to gather the people
of Israel from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.
D. The slaughter (24:28, 40-41): Armageddon!
1. The assembling of the victims (24:40-41): One will be taken, another left.
2. The appearing of the vultures (24:28): To eat the bodies of the slain warriors!
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II. THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS (25:14-30)
A. The responsibility (25:14-15): Jesus likens the Kingdom of Heaven to a man entrusting his
property to three servants before going to another country.
1. The first servant is given five bags of gold (25:14-15a).
2. The second servant is given two bags of gold (25:15b).
3. The third servant is given one bag of gold (25:15c).
B. The reliability (25:16-18)
1. The first servant doubles his money (25:16).
2. The second servant also doubles his money (25:17).
3. The third servant buries his one bag of gold (25:18).
C. The accountability (25:19-30): Upon his return, the man meets with his three servants.
1. The first servant is rewarded for his faithfulness (25:19-21).
2. The second servant is also rewarded for his faithfulness (25:22-23).
3. The third servant is severely rebuked for his unfaithfulness (25:24-30).
Ill. THE PARABLE OF THE SHEEP AND GOATS (25:31-46): Jesus compares the final judgment to a
shepherd's separating sheep from goats.
A. The separator (25:31): The Savior himself will occupy this role.
B. The separation (25:32-33): The goats (lost people) will be placed on his left hand, and the
sheep (saved people) on his right hand.
C. The separated (25:34-46)
1. The sheep (25:34-40): They will be rewarded!
a. The contents (25:34): They will receive the Father's Kingdom, prepared for them from the
foundation of the world.
b. The cause (25:35-36): It is due to their loving ministry in feeding, clothing, caring for, and
even assisting Jesus in prison!
c. The confusion (25:37-39): The saved ask when all this takes place.
d. The clarification (25:40): Jesus says that when they ministered to others, they ministered to
him!
2. The goats (25:41-46): They will be punished!
a. The contents (25:41): Eternal hell!
b. The cause (25:42-43): They did not minister to Jesus!
c. The confusion (25:44): The unsaved ask when it was that they did not minister to Jesus.
d. The clarification (25:45-46): Jesus says because they did not minister to others, they did
not minister to him!
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preached!
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Jesus to death. Jesus dies on the cross, saving the entire world from sin once and for all time.
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c. "He saved others, but he can't save himself!" (27:42).
d. "He trusted God-let God show his approval by delivering him!" (27:43).
G. The cloud covering the cross (27:45): A strange darkness falls on that area from noon till 3
P.M.
H. The cry from the cross (27:46-49)
1. The call (27:46): 'Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" ("My God, my God, why have you forsaken
me?").
2. The confusion (27:47-49): Some mistakenly think he is calling for Elijah to save him.
I. The cessation on the cross (27:50): Jesus cries out once more and gives up his spirit.
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A. The mountain (28:16): They meet on a mountain in Galilee as he had instructed them.
B. The mixed reaction (28:17): Some worship him, while others still doubt.
C. The mandate (28:18-20)
1. Jesus' authority (28:18): He has been given all authority in heaven and on earth.
2. Jesus' assignment (28:19-20a): They are to reach and teach all nations.
3. Jesus' assurance (28:20b): He will always be with them!
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