Matthew Explained: A Bible Study

The God who MADE YOU wants to be WITH YOU.

That's what the word 'Emmanuel' means - 'God with us.'

The pagan gods didn't work that way. These (false) deities kept the people at arm's length.

But our God wants to be close.

He walked with Adam in the garden. He dwelt in the tabernacle and temple.

And He came to earth in the form of a babe.

Join us for Part 2 of our study in the Book of Matthew.

Questions That We'll Answer:

A) What is ...

If baptism is for SINNERS, then why was JESUS baptized?

In Matthew 3, Jesus asked John to baptize him. That blew John's mind. And so, John told Him that it was the other way around - that Christ needed to baptize him!

John knew that Jesus had no sins that He needed to repent of, and no need to be 'washed clean.'

So why did Jesus insist on being baptized? That will be today's focus.

Questions That We'll Answer:

A) What sort of bapti...

Does the devil think that he can win?

In Matthew 4, Jesus is led out into the wilderness, where He was tempted for forty days by the devil.

What did the devil think he was going to accomplish?

And what was the Father's purpose in allowing His Son to undergo this?

Other Questions That We'll Answer:

A) What was the object of each of the three temptations?

B) Why did Jesus refer to Scripture at each opportunity?

C) How was Christ's te...

The Pharisees hated Jesus.

But the Roman Centurion did not.

Throughout the New Testament, the Pharisees antagonized our Savior.

They accused and berated Him at every turn.

Conversely, there are seven Roman Centurions in the New Testament - and each is portrayed in a more positive light. How can this be?

Questions That We'll Answer:

A) Why did Jesus 'marvel' at the faith of the Centurion?

B) What stood out about the Centurion's requ...

Who were the 12 Apostles?

Well, they're not the sort of men you would expect.

They weren't the sort of men that anyone would expect. Fishermen, a tax collector, a Judas - from an earthly perspective, this was an unlikely bunch. And yet, Christ chose them to be His friends and ambassadors.

What can we learn from their service?

Questions That We'll Answer:

A) What is the difference between a 'disciple' and an 'apostle?'

B) What ...

It is the most famous sermon ever preached - the 'sermon on the mount.'

In Matthew 5, Jesus starts this sermon with a series of blessings (or beatitudes).

What were these blessings all about?

And how were they received by hurting people who were used to the legalism of the Pharisees?

Questions That We'll Answer:

A) How do the blessings of Matthew 5 contrast to the woes of Matthew 23?

B) Who was Christ's audience for this particular...

This was a very wicked region.

In the time of Christ, Caesarea Phillipi was the 'red light district.'

It was filled with pagan people doing pagan things.

And yet, this is where Jesus took His disciples in Matthew 16.

Why? That will be the focus of today's study.

Questions That We'll Answer:

A) Why did Jesus travel to the region known as Hell's gates?

B) What did He teach His disciples when they got there?

C) Why did Jesus say "on t...

Jesus, Moses, and Elijah met on the mountaintop.

One's face radiated with light. The others did not.

Moses and Elijah were no slouches - these were titans of Jewish history, the embodiment of the law and the prophets.

And yet, when standing next to Jesus, they paled.

It was Christ alone that the Father referred to, saying "This is my Son, listen to Him" in Matthew 17.

Questions That We'll Answer:

A) What was the 'transfiguration,' ...

In Matthew 21, Jesus was angry.

Now, how could this be?

What could possibly make gentle, loving, patient Jesus so upset?

What could cause Him to flip tables and to make a scene?

In today's study, we'll consider both the circumstances and reasons for Christ's anger.

Questions That We'll Answer:

A) Who were the money-changers in the temple? What were they doing?

B) How does this event relate to the time Jesus cursed a fig tree?

C) Wh...

Jesus was walking into a trap. Several traps, actually.

When Jesus entered the Temple in Matthew 21, the Pharisees, Sadducees and others planned to ask Him questions that might trap or make our Lord look bad before others.

They wanted to destroy or hurt His credibility.

In today's study, we'll see how Jesus responded.

Questions That We'll Answer:

A) What was the irony about the questions that Jesus was facing?

B) What was the point...

In Matthew 26, Jesus sat down.

His betrayer joined Him.

In today's study, Jesus sat down for what we call the 'Last Supper,' with His betrayer seated just a few feet away. Our Lord had come to celebrate the Passover with His disciples, knowing this would be their last opportunity to do so.

But He also knew the heart (and pending actions) of a man named Judas Iscariot. 

In today’s study, we’ll consider the high stak...

Darkness. An earthquake. A shock in the temple.

And a cry - 'My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?'

What really happened on the cross?

What do we make of all the supernatural events that transpired?

And what do we make of Christ's final words?

In today's study, we will consider our Savior's final moments on Calvary.

Questions That We'll Answer:

A) Why did the sky grow dark at 12PM? What did the darkness signify?

B) Did the Fat...

Victory is at hand - your story ends well!

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not only the capstone of the entire Gospel, but it secures your great future. You see, if the grave didn't hold Him, then it won't hold you.

And if death can be defeated, then so can all the other hardships that you're undergoing right now.

Today may be difficult, but take heart - your story ends well!

Questions That We'll Answer In Today's Study:

1) Wha...