{{ Introduction to the Good News
The first four books of the New Testament are traditionally called the gospels, a word which means ‘good news.’ These are four biographies about Christ Jesus, written to share the good news about His life, death, and resurrection. Each of these four gospels was written to a different audience, and so each one has a slightly different approach—but they are all accurate biographies of Christ Jesus. Matthew wrote his good news to a Jewish audience, and so he included several quotations from the Old Testament, showing that Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah they had been waiting to come. Mark wrote to a Roman audience, which liked their reading to be more action-oriented, so his account focuses more on the actions of Jesus. Most scholars believe that Mark is written in chronological order. Luke wrote to a more detail-oriented audience, and his account is filled with historical and geographical details that were not included by the other writers. John wrote to a general audience, guiding them to faith in Jesus as the Son of God. John wrote his account much later than the others, so he concentrates more on aspects of Jesus’ life not mentioned previously. It makes a great supplement to Matthew, Mark and Luke. All who lived during the time covered by these books were still under the Law of Moses, Galatians 4:4, 4BC - 30AD. Jesus’ teachings during this time were to introduce the Jews to the covenant promised to Abraham, completed by Jesus’ death, Hebrews 9:16-17.}}
{{ Introduction to Matthew 45-52 AD
The book of Matthew is better called ‘The Good News According to Matthew.’ The writer is traditionally thought to be Matthew (Levi), a tax collector whom Jesus called to be an apostle (Matthew 9:9-13; 10:3). This biography of Jesus the Christ was written primarily for Jews, to convince the Jews that Jesus is the prophesied Messiah which is why Matthew spent so much time showing how Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecies — things that would have been less relevant to a non-Jewish audience. A key verse in Matthew is 5:17 where Jesus states He came to fulfill the law. Matthew presents the teachings of Jesus in large sections and discusses the works of Jesus (emphasizing His power). Jesus’ speech to the Jews in what is commonly called the ‘Sermon on the Mount’ is a contrast between the Law of Moses vs. the New Testament Law, outward vs. inward actions. Matthew 7:1 ‘Do not judge...’, is the most misquoted verse in the Bible by non-Christians. But Christians have read John 5:30 and 7:24 and have seen many examples of Jesus and the inspired writers judging (or condemning) others or their practices. Beginning with the birth of Jesus, Matthew recounts how Jesus lived a perfect life under the Law of Moses (Gal 4:4), and how His death would set the stage for a New Testament (Covenant) under which men could be saved. The final instructions given by Jesus after His resurrection, in this biography, are on how disciples are made: by teaching and immersing them into the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:18-20). After the list of apostles in Acts 1:13, Matthew disappears from the pages of the New Testament record.}}
{NOTES: If your plans are to read the entire N.T., start in Mark. Please read the ‘Definitions’ Section and other non-bible sections. In this translation Old Testament names will be in their Old Testament form.}1:1 The book of lineage of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham: 1:2 Abraham fathered Isaac; and Isaac fathered Jacob; and Jacob fathered Judah and his brethren; 1:3 and Judah fathered Perez and Zerah from Tamar; and Perez fathered Hezron; and Hezron fathered Ram; 1:4 and Ram fathered Amminadab; and Amminadab fathered Nahshon; and Nahshon fathered Salmon; 1:5 and Salmon fathered Boaz from Rahab; and Boaz fathered Obed from Ruth; and Obed fathered Jesse; 1:6 and Jesse fathered David, the king.
And David, the king, fathered Solomon from the wife of Uriah; 1:7 and Solomon fathered Rehoboam; and Rehoboam fathered Abijah; and Abijah fathered Asa; 1:8 and Asa fathered Jehoshaphat; and Jehoshaphat fathered Jehoram; and Jehoram fathered Uzziah; 1:9 and Uzziah fathered Jotham; and Jotham fathered Ahaz; and Ahaz fathered Hezekiah; 1:10 and Hezekiah fathered Manasseh; and Manasseh fathered Amon; and Amon fathered Josiah; 1:11 and Josiah fathered Jechoniah and his brethren, at the time of the exile of Babylon.
1:12 And after the exile of Babylon, Jechoniah fathered Shealtiel; and Shealtiel fathered Zerubbabel; 1:13 and Zerubbabel fathered Abiud; and Abiud fathered Eliakim; and Eliakim fathered Azor; 1:14 and Azor fathered Sadoc; and Sadoc fathered Achim; and Achim fathered Eliud; 1:15 and Eliud fathered Eleazar; and Eleazar fathered Matthan; and Matthan fathered Jacob; 1:16 and Jacob fathered Joseph, the husband of Mary, out-of whom was born Jesus, who is called* the Christ.
{Mat 1:1-17 & Luk 3:23-28 Mary’s Genealogy.}
1:17 Therefore, all the generations from Abraham until David were fourteen generations; and from David until the exile of Babylon, were fourteen generations; and from the exile of Babylon until the Christ, were fourteen generations.
{Mat 1:18-25 Nazareth 5 BC; no parallel.}
{‘release/dismiss’ is the technical term for Jewish divorce proceedings. The MLV does not follow Jewish traditions so the Modern English word is ‘divorce’. Sorry if you have been misled by your religious leader(s) or a different translation.}
1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was thus: for* his mother Mary was engaged to Joseph, before they came together, she was found holding a child in her womb {i.e., pregnant} from the Holy Spirit. 1:19 Now Joseph, her husband, being a righteous man and not willing to disgrace her, planned to divorce her secretly. 1:20 But when he had contemplated these things, behold, a messenger of the Lord appeared to him according-to a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife. For* what was born {Or: conceived} in her is from the Holy Spirit. 1:21 Now she will be bearing a son, and you will call his name Jesus, for* he himself will be saving his people from their sins. 1:22 Now this whole thing has happened in-order-that what was said by the Lord through the prophet might be fulfilled, saying, 1:23 ‘Behold, the virgin will be holding a child in her womb {i.e., pregnant}, and will be bearing a son, and they will call his name Immanuel’; which is, after being translated, ‘God with us.’ {Isa 7:14, 8:8, 10} 1:24 Now Joseph was awakened from his sleep and did* as the messenger of the Lord commanded him and took his wife to him; 1:25 and was not knowing her intimately until which time she gave-birth to her firstborn son, and he called his name Jesus.