The Witness of Matthew

The following passages compile red-letter teachings on conduct found uniquely or in distinctive form within the Gospel of Matthew.

On Giving to the Needy

Chapter 6

1 “Take heed that ye do not your righteousness before men, to be seen of them: else ye have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.

2 “When therefore thou doest alms, sound not a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have received their reward. 3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: 4 that thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret shall recompense thee."

On Private Devotion

Chapter 6

5 “And when ye pray, ye shall not be as the hypocrites: for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have received their reward. 6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thine inner chamber, and having shut thy door, pray to thy Father who is in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret shall recompense thee. 7 And in praying use not vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8 Be not therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him."

On Discerning Teachers

Chapter 7

12 "All things therefore whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do ye also unto them: for this is the law and the prophets."

15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves. 16 By their fruits ye shall know them. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but the corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit."

On Gentle Correction

Chapter 18

15 “And if thy brother sin against thee, go, show him his fault between thee and him alone: if he hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he hear thee not, take with thee one or two more, that at the mouth of two witnesses or three every word may be established. 17 And if he refuse to hear them, tell it unto the assembly: and if he refuse to hear the assembly also, let him be unto thee as the Gentile and the publican. 18 Verily I say unto you, What things soever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and what things soever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father who is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."

21 “Then came Peter and said to him, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? until seven times? 22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times; but, Until seventy times seven."

On Options and Obligations

Chapter 19

10 The disciples say unto him, "If this [marriage being so binding] is so between a man and his wife, it is not expedient to marry."

11 But he said unto them, "Not all men can receive this saying, but they to whom it is given. 12 For there are eunuchs, that were so born from their mother’s womb: and there are eunuchs, that were made eunuchs by men: and there are eunuchs, that made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it."

13 Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should lay his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But Jesus said, "Suffer the little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for to such belongeth the kingdom of heaven." 15 And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.

On Humble Service

Chapter 20

25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, "Ye know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 Not so shall it be among you: but whosoever would become great among you must serve others; 27 and whosoever would be first among you shall be a servant to all: 28 even as the Son of man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many."

On Seeing All as Siblings

Chapter 23

1 Then spake Jesus to the multitudes and to his disciples, 2 saying, "The theologians and clergy sit in the seat of authority. 3 Therefore pay attention to what they teach, but do not imitate their works; for they say and do not do. 4 Yea, they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with their finger. 5 But all their works they do to be seen of men: for they wear conspicuous symbols and elaborate robes, 6 and love the places of honor at feasts, and the seats of honor in the assembly, 7 and the salutations in the marketplaces, and to be called of men, 'Teacher'.

8 But be not ye called 'Teacher': for one is your teacher, and all ye are siblings. 9 And call no man your father on the earth: for one is your Father, even he who is in heaven. 10 Neither be ye called leaders: for one is your leader, even the Christ. 11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled; and whosoever shall humble himself shall be exalted.

On Being Shepherded

Chapter 25

31 “But when the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the angels with him, then shall he sit on the throne of his glory: 32 and before him shall be gathered all the nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as the shepherd separateth the sheep from the goats; 33 and he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

34 "Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, 'Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 for I was hungry, and ye gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in; 36 naked, and ye clothed me; I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came unto me.'

37 "Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, 'Lord, when saw we thee hungry, and fed thee? or athirst, and gave thee drink? 38 And when saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 And when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?'

40 “And the King shall answer and say unto them, 'Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of these my brethren, even these least, ye did it unto me.'"

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Scripture quotations are adapted from the American Standard Version (ASV). This compilation is provisional and intended solely for study and reflection.