The New Testament is a collection of twenty-seven books. All of the books come from the first followers of Jesus. Some of the books take only a few minutes to read. But before you read the books in the New Testament, it helps to know what each book is about.
When you see a word marked like *this, you will find the word explained in a Word List. You will find the list at the end of this article.
Here are a few words to help you to read the New Testament book of Matthew. Matthew is one of the books we calls the “Gospels.” The word gospel means good news. Almost half of the New Testament consists of the four accounts of the life of Jesus. Each of these four books, or *Gospels, is for a different group of readers. Together, they give us a complete story of Jesus. They tell us about his life and his teachings. A large part of each of these books tells the story of Jesus’ final week on earth. That last week was when Jesus died and rose to life again.
After you read what the Book of Matthew is about, you will find some verses from Matthew that you can read. These verses will help you understand how Matthew wrote and what was important to him.
Matthew
Matthew connects the Old Testament and the New Testament. Matthew wrote to people who were *Jews. Matthew presents Jesus as the *Messiah. In the Old Testament, God promised to send the people a king. Matthew tells us that Jesus was the king. The book shows his authority and power.
Reading Matthew: Verses to Get You Started.
Wise men visit with baby Jesus. Matthew 2:1-12
Jesus feeds 5,000 people. Matthew 14:13-21
Jesus walks on water. Matthew 14:22-33
Jesus tells a story about sheep. Matthew 18:10-14
Jesus dies on a cross. Matthew 27:32-56
Jesus rises from the dead. Matthew 28:1-10
WORD LIST
Gospel: A book about the good news. The message that Jesus came to save us from the results of sin. One of the four books at the beginning of the New Testament.
Jews: People who are born from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and their children. A person of the same big family and country as Jesus.
Messiah: The person whom God sent to save people from their *sin and be their king; a special servant of God; a name for Jesus Christ.
Sin: Evil deeds. When we do things against God and other people. When we do not obey God’s rules.