The Book of Matthew, the first book of the New Testament, presents the life, ministry, and teachings of Jesus Christ. Chapters 1 through 5 in the King James Bible introduce critical events in Jesus’ early life, setting the foundation for His divine mission. These chapters cover Jesus’ genealogy, birth, early ministry, and His foundational teachings in the famous Sermon on the Mount.
Matthew 1: The Genealogy and Birth of Jesus
Matthew 1 opens with the genealogy of Jesus, tracing His lineage from Abraham to King David and ultimately to Joseph, His earthly father (Matthew 1:1-17 KJV). This genealogy emphasizes Jesus’ royal descent, highlighting His fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah coming from the line of David.
The latter part of the chapter focuses on the birth of Jesus. When Mary is found to be with child by the Holy Ghost before her marriage to Joseph, Joseph, being a just man, considers divorcing her privately. However, an angel of the Lord appears to him in a dream, instructing him not to fear taking Mary as his wife because the child she carries is conceived by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:20 KJV). The angel also declares that the child’s name will be Jesus, “for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21 KJV), fulfilling the prophecy of a virgin birth from Isaiah 7:14. Joseph obeys, taking Mary as his wife, and Jesus is born.
Matthew 2: The Visit of the Wise Men and the Flight to Egypt
In Matthew 2, the wise men from the east visit Jerusalem, having seen the star that signified the birth of the King of the Jews (Matthew 2:1-2 KJV). They are directed by King Herod to find the child, as Herod secretly harbors the intention of killing Jesus to eliminate a perceived threat to his throne. The wise men follow the star to Bethlehem, where they find Jesus and offer gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Matthew 2:11 KJV). Being warned in a dream, they do not return to Herod but leave for their own country by another route.
An angel appears again to Joseph, instructing him to flee to Egypt with Mary and Jesus to escape Herod’s wrath (Matthew 2:13 KJV). Herod, furious that the wise men did not return, orders the Massacre of the Innocents, the killing of all male children under the age of two in Bethlehem. After Herod’s death, Joseph is told by an angel to return to Israel, and the family settles in Nazareth (Matthew 2:23 KJV), fulfilling another prophecy that Jesus would be called a Nazarene.
Matthew 3: The Baptism of Jesus
Matthew 3 introduces John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, who preaches repentance and baptism in the wilderness of Judea (Matthew 3:1-2 KJV). He warns of the coming judgment and the need for spiritual cleansing. John’s message draws crowds, including Pharisees and Sadducees, whom he rebukes for their hypocrisy, urging them to produce fruits worthy of repentance (Matthew 3:7-10 KJV).
John also prophesies the coming of someone “mightier than I” who will baptize with the Holy Ghost and with fire (Matthew 3:11 KJV). This prophecy is fulfilled when Jesus arrives at the Jordan River to be baptized by John. Though John initially protests, feeling unworthy to baptize Jesus, he complies at Jesus’ insistence. As Jesus is baptized, the heavens open, and the Spirit of God descends like a dove upon Him. A voice from heaven declares, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17 KJV). This event marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry.
Matthew 4: The Temptation of Jesus and the Start of His Ministry
Matthew 4 begins with the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, where He fasts for forty days and forty nights. During this time, He is tempted by the devil three times. First, the devil challenges Jesus to turn stones into bread, appealing to His physical hunger. Jesus responds by quoting Scripture: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4 KJV).
The second temptation takes place at the pinnacle of the temple, where the devil urges Jesus to throw Himself down, misquoting Psalm 91:11-12 to suggest that angels would protect Him. Jesus again responds with Scripture, saying, “Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God” (Matthew 4:7 KJV). In the third temptation, the devil offers Jesus all the kingdoms of the world if He will worship him. Jesus rejects this temptation, commanding, “Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve” (Matthew 4:10 KJV).
After successfully resisting these temptations, Jesus begins His ministry in Galilee, preaching, “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17 KJV). He calls His first disciples, Simon Peter and Andrew, followed by James and John, instructing them to be “fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19 KJV). Jesus also performs miracles, healing the sick and demon-possessed, which draws great crowds.
Matthew 5: The Sermon on the Mount Begins
Matthew 5 marks the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, one of Jesus’ most famous teachings. He begins with the Beatitudes, a series of blessings for those who embody the values of God’s kingdom, such as the poor in spirit, the meek, and those who hunger for righteousness (Matthew 5:3-12 KJV). These blessings emphasize that true fulfillment and reward come from a life aligned with God’s will, often in contrast to worldly values.
Jesus then addresses the role of His followers, calling them the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world” (Matthew 5:13-16 KJV). As salt preserves and enhances, and light illuminates, Jesus’ followers are meant to influence the world for good and reflect God’s glory.
He moves on to speak about the fulfillment of the law. Jesus clarifies that He has not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17 KJV). He urges His followers to uphold the law’s deeper spiritual intent, going beyond mere outward obedience. For instance, He intensifies the commandments against murder and adultery, teaching that anger and lust are equally sinful (Matthew 5:21-30 KJV). Jesus also emphasizes the importance of integrity in vows and forgiveness, challenging His listeners to love their enemies and strive for perfection as their Father in heaven is perfect (Matthew 5:44-48 KJV).
Conclusion
Matthew 1 to 5 in the King James Bible lays the foundation for Jesus’ life and ministry. From His royal lineage and humble birth to His early teachings in the Sermon on the Mount, these chapters highlight Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and the bringer of a new kingdom based on righteousness, love, and spiritual transformation. Jesus’ baptism, temptation, and call to discipleship set the stage for His public ministry, inviting all who follow Him to live according to the values of God’s kingdom. These chapters offer timeless lessons about faith, obedience, and the call to live a life reflective of God’s love and truth.
