Jesus' Early Life and Ministry - Matthew in Twelve Weeks
A Bible Study Covering chapters 1-4 of the Gospel of Matthew - Leader Guide and Handout
The opening chapters of Matthew's Gospel lay a profound foundation for understanding Jesus' identity and mission. In these four chapters, Matthew masterfully weaves together genealogy, prophecy fulfillment, and pivotal events to present Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah and the inaugurator of God's kingdom. From the carefully crafted genealogy that traces Jesus' royal lineage, through the miraculous circumstances of His birth, to His baptism and the launch of His public ministry, Matthew paints a vivid picture of Jesus as both fully human and fully divine. These chapters not only establish Jesus' credentials as the promised Savior but also set the stage for His revolutionary teaching and ministry that will unfold in the rest of the Gospel.
The Genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:1-17)
Read Matthew 1:1-17
There are several interesting qualities in Matthew’s genealogy that are quite easy to miss, especially if you get bored while reading it. Matthew’s opening verses are both intentional and impactful, if you know what he’s trying to do. By including certain notes, people, and structures, Matthew is using the human ancestry of Jesus to introduce Jesus to his readers. Let’s take a look.
The genealogy is organized into three groups of fourteen individuals centered around David, who begins the middle group. Abraham and his sons—the patriarchs of Israel—begin the genealogy. Matthew proceeds through the Judaic line, through Boaz and Ruth, the great grandparents of David. The kings of Judah are mostly listed, with a few generations omitted. The third section must omit several names, but it follows a part of the genealogy that is not directly attested to elsewhere in Scripture. On the whole, it is clear that Matthew’s genealogy is structured and deliberate. But why?
Three Groups of Fourteen
Two suggestions relate to the number itself: It may be a meaningful number, as it is twice seven. It may also be a structural nod to David, as the numeric values of the root letters in David’s Hebrew name may be summed to 14. Others have suggested that it may simply be a mnemonic device, providing a structure that is simple to remember.
Inclusion of Women
Matthew's genealogy includes several women, which is atypical for Jewish genealogies. Consider who these four women are: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah (Mary, the mother of Jesus, is also mentioned). What Old Testament stories are these women involved in? Because of their roles, Matthew associates them with Jesus via inclusion in his genealogy.
Gentile Ancestry
Notably, at least Rahab, Tamar, and Ruth are Gentiles. Matthew is not trying to depict a typical Jewish ancestry; quite the opposite, in fact! Indeed, Matthew is highlighting the fact that Gentiles are involved in the line of Jesus, the Messiah.
Highlighted Scandals
Similarly, some of these women, especially Rahab, Tamar, and Bathsheba, are clearly associated with scandals described in the Old Testament. Rahab was a Canaanite prostitute who protected the Israelite spies (Joshua 2). Tamar posed as a prostitute to bear a child by her father-in-law Judah (Genesis 38). Bathsheba was involved in David's most famous moral failing, which led to adultery and murder (2 Samuel 11). Matthew’s inclusion of these individuals likely points to grace and redemption. Certainly, by including these figures, Matthew emphasizes God's grace and His ability to work through flawed human beings and complex situations to bring about His redemptive purposes. This redemption was made fully manifest in Jesus.
Purposeful Omissions
Not every ancestor of Jesus from the Old Testament is listed in Matthew's genealogy. There are intentional omissions, probably made to maintain the groups of fourteen. However, it is also worth noting who was omitted. In the second section, we see three kings missing: Ahaziah, Jehoash, and Amaziah. These three generations were likely left out of the genealogy because of their descendance from Ahab and Jezebel and their association with significant systemic moral failures in Judah. This is a symbolic removal of the lineage of Ahab from Jesus’ line; Matthew wants no association of Jesus with Ahab.
Emphasis on Davidic Language
David is mentioned five times in the genealogy. First, in verse 1, in the very title of Jesus. David is featured prominently in the middle of the genealogy and another two times at the end. Matthew wants to emphasize Jesus’ prophetic descendance from Matthew as a way of pointing to Him being Israel’s Messiah.
Jesus is called the Messiah or Christ
At the beginning and the end, Jesus is called Christos, typically translated Christ, and sometimes rightly understood and translated as Messiah, meaning “anointed one”. While the term may be used in a general sense, Matthew’s use of it is clearly specific; he uses the term to point to the anticipated, prophesied savior of Israel spoken of in passages such as Isaiah 9:6-7 and 11:1-10, Micah 5:2-5, and many others.
The Early Life of Jesus (Matthew 1:18-2:23)
Ask for study participants to read Matthew 1:18-25 and 2:1-12, and discuss the passages after reading each one.
Matthew's account of Jesus' early life is rich with theological significance and the fulfillment of prophecy. His miraculous conception through the Holy Spirit establishes his divine nature, while his human lineage through Joseph connects him to David's royal line. Joseph's faith and obedience in accepting Mary and Jesus, despite the unusual circumstances, exemplify righteous character and trust in God's plan.
The visit of the Magi not only fulfills prophecies about nations coming to worship the Messiah but also foreshadows Jesus' global mission. Their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh symbolize Jesus' royalty, divinity, and sacrificial death. The flight to Egypt and return to Nazareth mirror Israel's history, positioning Jesus as the new Moses who will lead God's people to salvation. Throughout these events, Matthew emphasizes how Jesus' early life fulfills Old Testament prophecies, strengthening the case for His identity as the long-awaited Messiah.
Jesus’ Baptism (Matthew 3)
Ask for study participants to read Matthew 3:1-12 and 3:13-17, and discuss the passages after reading each one.
Jesus' baptism marks the beginning of His public ministry and serves as a pivotal moment in salvation history. John the Baptist, fulfilling his role as the prophesied forerunner, prepares the way through a ministry of repentance. Though sinless, Jesus chooses to be baptized, identifying with sinful humanity and foreshadowing His death and resurrection.
The event culminates in a powerful Trinitarian revelation: as Jesus emerges from the water, the Holy Spirit descends like a dove, and the Father's voice declares, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." This divine affirmation not only confirms Jesus' identity and mission but also provides a model for Christian baptism. It reminds us of our own adoption as God's children and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit in our lives as we follow Christ.
Jesus Begins His Ministry (Matthew 4)
Ask for study participants to read Matthew 4:1-11, 4:18-22, and 4:23-25, and discuss the passages after reading each one.
Jesus' ministry begins with a period of testing in the wilderness, where He faces and overcomes temptations that echo Israel's failures and foreshadow challenges in His own mission. His responses, rooted in Scripture, demonstrate the power of God's word in countering Satan's deceptions and provide a model for believers facing their own spiritual battles.
Following this, Jesus launches His public ministry in Galilee, proclaiming, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." This message sets the tone for His entire ministry, calling people to turn from sin and embrace God's reign. Jesus then calls His first disciples, who respond with immediate obedience, leaving behind their livelihoods to follow Him. This radical commitment challenges our understanding of discipleship and invites us to consider our own response to Jesus' call.
As Jesus travels throughout Galilee, His ministry is characterized by teaching, preaching, and healing. This threefold approach addresses the whole person—mind, spirit, and body—and demonstrates the comprehensive nature of God's kingdom. The rapid spread of Jesus' fame and the diverse crowds that gather around Him indicate the universal appeal and transformative power of His message, setting the stage for the revolutionary impact of His ministry.
Conversation Starters
Time permitting, engage the study group with the following questions, or use them to discuss and review this session in the future.
What stands out to you about Matthew’s Genealogy?
How do the Magi’s gifts foreshadow different aspects of Jesus' identity and mission?
In what ways does Jesus' early life (e.g., the flight to Egypt) parallel Israel's history? What might this suggest about Jesus' role?
How did John the Baptist's ministry prepare the way for Jesus? How might our ministries, especially in sharing the gospel, parallel John’s role?
Reflect on the immediacy of the disciples' response to Jesus' call. What challenges does this pose to our own discipleship?
Throughout these chapters, how does Matthew emphasize the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies? Why might this be important for his original audience?
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