Gospel of Matthew
Jesus Predicts His Death: The Plan We Must Not Resist
Matthew 16:21–23 provides the narrative where Jesus predicts His death, marking a pivotal moment in the scripture. Jesus didn’t hide the cost of redemption—He revealed it boldly as part of when Jesus predicts His death. Immediately after Peter’s bold confession, Jesus shifts the conversation to the painful reality of His mission: suffering, death, and resurrection. This is the […]
Peter’s Confession of Christ: The Bold Declaration That Builds the Church
Matthew 16:13–20 is a significant passage, often referred to as Peter’s confession of Christ. There comes a moment when what you believe about Jesus must become personal, just as Peter did in his confession of Christ. This moment in Matthew marks a monumental shift in the Gospel narrative. Peter steps forward with one of the most powerful […]
The Yeast of the Pharisees: A Warning Against Corrupt Influence
Matthew 16:5–12 discusses the yeast of the Pharisees, a metaphor Jesus uses to warn his disciples. A little deception goes a long way if you don’t stay spiritually sharp. The yeast of the Pharisees represents this deception that permeates slowly. In this next interaction, Jesus issues a powerful warning about the unseen but dangerous influence of false […]
Pharisees Demand a Sign: When Religion Misses the Miracle
Matthew 16:1–4 recounts how the Pharisees demand a sign from Jesus to test Him. When your heart is hard, no sign is ever enough. In Matthew 16:1–4, Jesus confronts the religious leaders who demanded proof of His authority while ignoring everything He had already done. Here, the Pharisees felt the need to demand a sign. […]
Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand: When Compassion Multiplies Provision
Matthew 15:32–39 describes the miraculous event where Jesus feeds the four thousand. When people stay hungry for Jesus, He doesn’t send them away empty. In Matthew 15:32–39, we see how Jesus feeds the four thousand demonstrating His unmatched compassion and miraculous provision by feeding a massive crowd that had followed Him for three days. Matthew 15:32–39 (NASB […]
Jesus Honors Great Faith: The Canaanite Woman’s Bold Plea
Matthew 15:21–28 tells the story where Jesus heals the Canaanite woman’s daughter. Sometimes it takes bold, relentless, humble faith to break through what seems like silence, much like when the Canaanite woman’s daughter was healed by Jesus. In Matthew 15:21–28, Jesus has an unforgettable interaction with a Canaanite woman who begs for her daughter to be healed. What […]
Treasure the Kingdom of Heaven: Selling Everything for What Matters Most
Matthew 13:44–46 illustrates the parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price, emphasizing their spiritual significance. These tales reflect the hidden treasure pearl of great price found in the Kingdom of Heaven. Most people search for value in all the wrong places, entirely missing the hidden treasure pearl of great price that […]
Jesus Walks on Water: Stepping Out in Faith
Matthew 14:22–33 recounts the miraculous event where Jesus walks on water, demonstrating his divine power and faith. Fear says stay in the boat. Faith says step into the impossible. When Jesus walks on water, He invites Peter—and us—to trust Him when life is stormy, uncertain, and full of doubt. This moment is not just about miracles, […]
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand: Trusting Him with What You Have
Matthew 14:13–21 describes the miraculous event where Jesus feeds the five thousand. When needs are overwhelming and resources are few, Jesus invites us to bring what we have and trust Him to do what only He can. In the Bible, when Jesus feeds the five thousand, it serves as a profound reminder of His provision […]
When Jesus Was Rejected in His Hometown
Matthew 13:53–58 describes a profound moment when Jesus was rejected in His own hometown, shedding light on the challenges He faced. Rejection hurts—especially when it comes from the people who know you best. Jesus Himself experienced this pain in a profoundly personal way. And it happened in His own hometown. When the people who watched […]
The Parable of the Dragnet: When the Kingdom of Heaven Separates Good from Evil
Matthew 13:47–50 illustrates how the kingdom of heaven separates good from evil in its teachings. We love to hear about grace, mercy, and the open arms of God—and rightly so. But Jesus also warned about a day when the doors would close, the nets would be pulled, and a final separation would take place. In this sobering parable, Jesus […]
The Hidden Treasure and Pearl: Why the Kingdom of Heaven Is Worth Everything
Matthew 13:44–46 reminds us that the kingdom of heaven is worth everything. We chase many things—success, comfort, approval, security. But Jesus gave two short parables that confront our priorities with piercing clarity: the Kingdom of Heaven is worth everything. These back-to-back parables call us to trade temporary gain for eternal treasure. In them, Jesus reveals how […]
Small Starts, Big Impact: How the Kingdom of Heaven Grows
Matthew 13:31–33 It’s easy to feel like your efforts are too small to matter. You pray, you serve, you speak truth—but it seems like nothing changes. Jesus answers that doubt directly in the Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Leaven. He shows us that God delights in starting small and growing big. Matthew 13:31–33 (NASB 2020) 31 He presented […]
The Parable of the Weeds: Trusting God’s Timing in a World of Chaos
Matthew 13:24–30, often referred to as the parable of the weeds, provides profound insights into the coexistence of good and evil. Sometimes it’s hard to tell who’s truly following Jesus. We see hypocrisy in church, evil in society, and injustice that seems to go unchecked. But Jesus assures us—He sees it all, and He’s not done […]
The Parable of the Sower: How Will You Respond to God’s Word?
Jesus didn’t just teach to inform minds—He spoke to transform hearts. One of His most powerful teachings is the Parable of the Sower, which illustrates the importance of how we receive and act on His words. In Matthew 13, Jesus begins teaching in parables. The Parable of the Sower is the first, and it lays the foundation […]