An Introduction to Matthew’s gospel: chapters 1-4

On Advent Sunday 2025, I was kindly invited to give an introduction to Matthew’s gospel by the Rev’d Sheila Swarbrick, the Rector of the Central Parish, which now comprises of the historic churches of Exeter’s city centre, dedicated to St Stephen, St Olave, St Petrock, St Pancras, and St Mary Arches. The website for the Central Parish contains many interesting photographs and other details.

Matthew’s gospel is the set gospel for the liturgical year A, providing all the main readings in our services from Advent Sunday 2025 to the end of November 2026 – hence Sheila’s desire that I might introduce Matthew’s gospel to her congregation. In addition, the opening chapters of Matthew – including the genealogy, the birth of Jesus, the visit of the magi, the slaughter of the baby boys in Bethlehem, the flight into Egypt and the return of the holy family to go to live in Nazareth, with Jesus’ baptism and temptation – are read in our services during Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany, so this was a way to prepare for that.

In recent years, I have greatly enjoyed leading courses on the different gospels, and this year I am leading an eight week course on Matthew’s gospel. This sermon and the accompanying pdf of notes (download it from the link at the top of this page) is a brief digest of the first three sessions on the opening four chapters of Matthew’s gospel – and an attempt to summarise six hours of lectures in 15 minutes! I hope you enjoy it – and that it proves interesting and helpful.

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