people places things matthew deep dive

�� People, Places, and Things in the Gospel of Matthew — Deep Dive

Gospel of Matthew presents Jesus as the promised Messiah and King, writing especially to a Jewish audience and emphasizing fulfillment of prophecy and the arrival of the Kingdom of Heaven. Below is a structured deep study of People, Places, and Things, including narrative purpose and theological meaning.

�� PEOPLE IN MATTHEW

�� 1. Jesus Christ

Titles:

• Son of David

• Son of Abraham

• Son of Man

• Son of God

• King of the Jews

• Emmanuel (“God with us”)

Matthew presents Jesus as:

• The New Moses (Sermon on the Mount)

• The Greater David (royal lineage)

• The Suffering Servant

• The Risen King (28:18–20)

Theme: All authority in heaven and earth.

�� �� �� 2. Joseph

• Receives divine dreams.

• Protects Mary and Jesus.

• Obedient and righteous.

Represents covenant faithfulness.

�� 3. Mary

• Virgin mother.

• Fulfills Isaiah 7:14.

• Quiet but pivotal in salvation history.

�� 4. Herod the Great

Herod the Great

• Orders massacre of infants (Matt 2).

• Symbolizes worldly power threatened by divine kingship.

�� 5. The Magi

• Gentile worshipers from the East.

• Bring gold, frankincense, myrrh.

• Recognize the King before Israel’s leaders.

Theme: Kingdom inclusion of Gentiles.

�� 6. John the Baptist

• Prepares the way.

• Calls for repentance.

• Baptizes Jesus.

Bridges Old Covenant prophecy and New Covenant fulfillment.

�� 7. The Twelve Disciples

Key figures:

• Peter (confession of Christ)

• James & John

• Matthew (tax collector)

• Judas Iscariot (betrayer)

They move from confusion → mission → global commission.

�� 8. Religious Leaders

Pharisees

Legalists focused on outward righteousness.

Scribes

Experts in Mosaic Law.

Sadducees

Temple elites denying resurrection.

Caiaphas

Caiaphas

Leads prosecution of Jesus.

Theme: Religious resistance to true righteousness.

�� 9. Political Authorities

Herod Antipas

Herod Antipas

Executes John the Baptist.

Pontius Pilate

Pontius Pilate

Declares Jesus innocent yet orders crucifixion.

�� 10. Women of Faith

• Canaanite woman

• Woman with issue of blood

• Mary Magdalene

Often display stronger faith than male disciples.

�� 11. The Crowds

• Amazed but inconsistent.

• Represent mixed responses to the Kingdom.

�� PLACES IN MATTHEW

�� 1. Bethlehem

Birthplace of Jesus.

Fulfills Micah 5:2.

�� 2. Nazareth

Childhood home of Jesus.

“Can anything good come from Nazareth?” (later echoed in John).

�� 3. Sea of Galilee

Teaching and miracle hub.

Calling of disciples.

�� 4. The Mount (Sermon on the Mount)

Symbolically parallels Sinai.

Jesus authoritatively interprets the Law.

�� 5. The Temple in Jerusalem

Center of Jewish worship.

Cleansed by Jesus (Matt 21).

Location of final confrontations.

�� 6. Jerusalem

City of the Great King.

Place of triumphal entry, crucifixion, resurrection.

�� 7. Wilderness

• Temptation of Jesus.

• Echo of Israel’s 40 years.

�� 8. Caesarea Philippi

Confession of Peter (“You are the Christ.”)

�� THINGS IN MATTHEW

�� 1. The Kingdom of Heaven

Matthew’s preferred phrase (used ~32 times).

Central theme of the book.

�� 2. Fulfillment Formula

“Thus it was fulfilled…”

Links Jesus to Old Testament prophecy.

�� 3. Thirty Pieces of Silver

Price of betrayal.

Fulfills Zechariah imagery.

� 4. The Cross

Instrument of Roman execution.

Becomes symbol of atonement and kingship.

�� 5. The Tomb

Sealed and guarded.

Empty on third day.

�� 6. Baptism

Heavens open.

Spirit descends like a dove.

�� 7. Loaves and Fish

Miracles of multiplication.

Echo manna and Elisha narratives.

�� 8. Fig Tree

Cursed by Jesus.

Symbol of fruitless Israel.

�� 9. Parables

Kingdom teaching method:

• Sower

• Mustard seed

• Wheat and tares

• Talents

Reveal truth to believers; conceal from hardened hearts.

�� Structural Overview

Section Focus

Matthew 1–2 Birth & Kingship

Matthew 3–4 Preparation & Temptation

Matthew 5–7 Kingdom Ethics

Matthew 8–10 Authority & Mission

Matthew 11–13 Rejection & Parables

Matthew 14–20 Identity & Discipleship

Matthew 21–25 Conflict & Judgment

Matthew 26–28 Passion & Resurrection

� Major Theological Threads

1. Jesus as the New Moses

2. True righteousness vs. hypocrisy

3. Kingdom reversal (last → first)

4. Authority over nature, demons, sin, death

5. Global mission (28:19–20)

�� Summary Table

Category Central Emphasis

People Responses to the King

From Bethlehem to

Places

Jerusalem

Things Kingdom, Cross, Fulfillment

If you'd like, I can next provide:

• Chapter-by-chapter people, places, things

• Genealogy deep analysis (Matthew 1)

• A printable teaching outline

• Comparison with Mark and Luke

• A sermon series framework

Just tell me how deep you want to go next.