1 THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO SAINT MATTHEW St. Matthew - Chapter 1 THE GENEALOGY OF CHRIST ABRAHAM TO DAVID 1 This is the genealogical table of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham: 2 Abraham begot Isaac; Isaac begot Jacob; Jacob begot Judah and his brothers. 3 Judah begot Phares and Zara by Thamar; Phares begot Esrom; Esrom begot Aram. 4 Aram begot Aminadab; Aminadab begot Naasson ; Naasson begot Salmon. 5 Salmon begot Booz by Rachab; Booz begot Obed by Ruth; Obed begot Jesse. 6 Jesse begot David the king. DAVID TO THE BABYLONIAN EXILE David the king begot Solomon by the widow of Uriah. 7 Solomon begot Roboam; Roboam begot Abijah; Abijah begot Asa. 8 Asa begot Josaphat; Josaphat begot Joram; Joram begot Oziah. 9 Oziah begot Joatham; Joatham begot Achaz; Achaz begot Hezekiah. 10 Hezekiah begot Manasseh; Manasseh begot Amon; Amon begot Josiah. 11 Josiah begot Jechoniah and his brothers during the Babylonian exile. BABYLONIAN EXILE TO CHRIST 12 After the Babylonian exile Jechoniah begot Salathiel; Salathiel begot Zorobabel. 13 Zorobabel begot Abiud; Abiud begot Eliakim; Eliakim begot Azor. 14 Azor begot Sadok; Sadok begot Achim; Achim begot Eliud. 15 Eliud begot Eleazar; Eleazar begot Matthan; Matthan begot Jacob. 16 Jacob begot Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. 17 So altogether there were fourteen generations from Abraham to David; and fourteen generations from David to the Babylonian exile; and fourteen generations from the Babylonian exile to Christ. BIRTH OF CHRIST 18 The birth of Jesus Christ took place in this manner: Mary his mother was engaged to Joseph. But before they were married, she was found to be pregnant from the Holy Spirit. 19 Her husband Joseph was a kindly man and did not want to disgrace her. So he decided to break off the engagement privately. 20 While he was considering this solution, an Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said to him: "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For she has conceived her child from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a Son whom you will call Jesus. For he will save the people from their sins." 22 Thus the prediction of the Lord through the Prophet was fulfilled: 23 "Listen, a virgin will conceive and bear a Son, and his name will be called Emmanuel!" which means, God with us. 2 24 When Joseph awoke from his sleep, he did as the Angel of the Lord had ordered him. He took his wife to his home. 25 But he did not live with her until she had borne her Son whom he named Jesus. St. Matthew - Chapter 2 THE WISE MEN 1 Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea during the reign of Herod the king. Thereupon, Wise Men from the East arrived in Jerusalem. 2 They kept asking: "Where is the newly born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East and have come to worship him." 3 Herod the king was troubled when he heard this report, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 So he assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people and asked them where Christ was to be born. 5 They answered him: "In Bethlehem of Judea. For this is what the Prophet has written about this matter: 6 'You, O Bethlehem, you are certainly one of the principal cities of Judea. For from you will arise a leader who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'" 7 Thereupon Herod summoned the Wise Men secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 Then he sent them to Bethlehem and told them: "Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word. For I want to go and worship him also." 9 They obeyed the king and proceeded on their journey. Thereupon the star, which they had seen in the East, led them on until they reached the place where the child lay and stopped over it. 10 When they saw the star, the Wise Men rejoiced exceedingly. 11 They went into the house and saw the Child with Mary his Mother. Thereupon they fell down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts, gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 But they were warned in a dream not to return to Herod. So they went back to their own country by another way. FLIGHT INTO EGYPT 13 When the Wise Men had departed, suddenly an Angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said to him: "Arise, take the Child and his Mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. For Herod is going to look for the Child and put him to death." 14 So Joseph arose, took the Child and his Mother and left for Egypt. 15 He remained there until the death of Herod. Thus the prediction of the Lord through the Prophet was fulfilled: "I have called my Son out of Egypt." THE MASSACRE OF BETHLEHEM 16 When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the Wise Men, he was furious. So he sent his henchmen and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that neighborhood, who were two years old or less from the time he had found out from the Wise Men. 17 Thus the prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled: 18 "An outburst of weeping and lamentation was heard in Ramah. It was Rachel weeping for her children. She 3 refused to be comforted. For they were all gone." THE RETURN TO NAZARETH 19 When Herod was dead, an Angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt. 20 He told him: "Arise, take the Child and his Mother, and return to the land of Israel. For Herod who wanted to kill the Child is dead." 21 So Joseph arose, took the Child and his Mother, and went back to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus had succeeded his father Herod as king, he was afraid to go there. So, as he was advised in a dream, he took refuge in the region of Galilee. 23 Finally, he went and settled in a city called Nazareth. Thus the prediction of the Prophets was fulfilled: "He will be called a Nazarene." St. Matthew - Chapter 3 JOHN THE BAPTIST 1 In those days, John the Baptist appeared in the desert. 2 He preached: "Repent. For the Kingdom of Heaven is drawing near." 3 He was the man of whom Isaiah the Prophet spoke, saying: "Listen, a Prophet is preaching in the desert. Prepare the way of the Lord. Straighten out his paths." 4 John wore a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey. 5 The inhabitants of Jerusalem, of Judea, and of all the region round about Jordan went out to him. 6 They confessed their sins and were baptized by him in the river Jordan. 7 Many Pharisees and Sadducees also came to him for baptism. When he saw them, he said: "You, brood of vipers! The Lord himself warned you to escape his coming retribution. 8 Therefore perform deeds consistent with your professed repentance. 9 Do not suppose that you can get away by claiming Abraham as your forefather. For I tell you, God is able to raise up descendants for Abraham out of these stones. 10 "Remember, the ax is laid at the root of the trees. Every tree which does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. 11 "I baptize you for repentance with water. But the Messiah who comes after me is so much mightier than I that I am not worthy to carry his shoes. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 12 "He holds his winnowing fork in his hand. He will clean up his threshing floor. He will store his wheat in his barn. Then he will burn the chaff in the unquenchable fire." THE BAPTISM OF JESUS 13 At that time Jesus came from Galilee to the river Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to dissuade him, saying: "I need to be baptized by you. You do not need to come to me." 15 Jesus answered: "Go ahead now. For we must fulfill every requirement." Then John consented. 16 So Jesus was baptized. When he came out of the water, heaven was opened immediately, and he saw the Holy Spirit of God who came down in the form of a dove and rested upon him. 17 Thereupon a voice from heaven said: "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased." 4 St. Matthew - Chapter 4 THE TEMPTATIONS OF JESUS 1 At that time, Jesus was conducted by the Holy Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. 2 He fasted forty days and forty nights. So he felt hungry afterwards. 3 Thereupon the tempter approached and said to him: "If you are the Son of God, order these stones to become loaves of bread." 4 Jesus answered: "It is written in the Scriptures: 'Man must not live on bread alone, but also on all the commandments which proceed from the mouth of God.'" 5 Again the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple. 6 Then he said to him: "If you are the Son of God, cast yourself down. For it is written in the Scriptures: 'God will order his angels to lift you up with their hands. So you will not dash your feet on any stone.'" 7 Jesus answered him: "Yes, but it is also written in the Scriptures 'You must not challenge the Lord your God.'" 8 Again the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the earth and their glories. 9 Then he said to him: "I will give you all these kingdoms, if you fall down and worship me." 10 Jesus answered him: "Go away from me, Satan. For it is written in the Scriptures: 'You must adore and worship only the Lord your God.'" 11 Then the devil left him alone. Thereupon angels came and ministered to him. JESUS IN GALILEE 12 When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he returned to Galilee. 13 Later on, he left Nazareth and settled down in Capernaum on the sea-shore in the region of Zabulon and Nephthalim. 14 Thus the prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled: 15 "Land of Zabulon and land of Nephthalim on the sea-shore beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, 16 the people who dwelt in darkness saw a great light. Indeed, light has dawned for those who lived in that region under the shadow of death." 17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to proclaim: "Repent. For the Kingdom of Heaven is drawing near." THE FIRST DISCIPLES 18 As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the Sea. For they were fishermen. 19 He said to them: "Follow me. I will make you fishers of men." 20 Immediately, they dropped their nets and followed him. 21 As he was going further on, he saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were repairing their nets in a boat with their father Zebedee. Jesus called them. 22 They left their boat and their father immediately, and followed him. PREACHING AND HEALING 23 Then Jesus went all over Galilee. He preached in the synagogues and proclaimed the Gospel of the Kingdom. He healed every disease and every infirmity of the people. 5 24 His fame spread throughout Syria. So they brought him all the sick who were afflicted with various illnesses and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, and paralytics. He healed them all. 25 Great crowds followed him from Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and the region beyond the Jordan. St. Matthew - Chapter 5 SERMON ON THE MOUNT BEATITUDES 1 When he saw the people, Jesus went up on the mountain and sat down. His Disciples followed him. 2 Then he began his sermon and said: 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit. For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. 4 "Blessed are those who mourn. For they will be comforted. 5 "Blessed are the meek. For they will inherit the earth. 6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. For they will be filled. 7 "Blessed are the merciful. For they will obtain mercy. 8 "Blessed are the pure in heart. For they will see God. 9 "Blessed are the peace-makers. For they will be called the children of God. 10 "Blessed are those who endure persecution. For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when men revile you, persecute you, and slander you for my sake. 12 "Be glad and rejoice. For you will be richly rewarded in heaven. For so were all the prophets persecuted before you." SALT OF THE EARTH 13 "You are the salt of the earth. Now, if the salt has been spoiled, it cannot be restored. It is no longer good for anything. So it is thrown away and it is trodden underfoot by men." LIGHT OF THE WORLD 14 "You are the light of the world. A city, built upon a hill; cannot be hidden. 15 Men do not light a lamp and put it under a bushel. They put it upon the lampstand. Then it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 "Thus let your light shine before men. Then they will see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." OLD LAW AND NEW LAW 17 "Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law and the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to perfect them. 18 Well, I tell you, so long as heaven and earth exist, the Law will not lose a single iota nor a single dot, until everything has been fulfilled. 19 "Therefore everyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches men accordingly will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But everyone who observes them and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. 6 20 "For I tell you that unless your righteousness is far superior to that of the Scribes and the Pharisees, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven." THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT 21 "You have heard that Moses told our forefathers: 'Do not kill; and everyone who kills will be liable to the Lower Council.' 22 But I tell you that everyone who is angry at his brother without cause will be liable to the Lower Council. Everyone who insults his brother will be liable to the Upper Council. Everyone who curses his brother will be liable to the fire of Hades. 23 "Therefore if when you offer your gift at the altar, you remember that your brother has a grievance against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar. Go and be reconciled with your brother first. Then come back and offer your gift. 25 Come to terms with your opponent quickly, while you are on the way to court with him. Otherwise, he may hand you over to the judge. The judge may hand you over to the officer. The officer may throw you into prison. 26 Well, I tell you that you will not get out of it until you have paid your last penny." THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT 27 "You have heard that Moses told our forefathers: 'Do not commit adultery.' 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his mind. 29 "Now, if your right eye leads you astray, pluck it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your organs than have your whole body thrown into Hades. 30 And if your right hand leads you astray, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your limbs than have your whole body thrown into Hades." DIVORCE 31 "You have heard that Moses said: 'Whoever divorces his wife let him give her a certificate of separation.' 32 But I tell you that everyone who divorces his wife on any ground except unfaithfulness makes her commit adultery. Moreover, everyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery also." THE NINTH COMMANDMENT 33 "You have heard that Moses told our forefathers: 'Do not swear falsely, and you must fulfill your oaths to the Lord.' 34 But I tell you: Do not swear at all. Do not swear by heaven. For it is the throne of God. 35 Do not swear by the earth. For it is his footstool. Do not swear by Jerusalem. For it is the city of the great king. 36 Do not swear by your head either. For you cannot make one single hair white or black. 37 Say simply Yes for Yes and No for No. Anything beyond that proceeds from the devil." RETALIATION 38 "You have heard that Moses told our forefathers: 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' 39 But I tell you: Do not resist evil. On the contrary, if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other cheek also. 40 If anyone wants to sue you for your shirt, let him have your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go two miles with him. 42 Give to anyone who begs from you, and do not turn 7 away anyone who wants to borrow from you." LOVE OF NEIGHBOR 43 "You have heard that Moses told our forefathers: 'Love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.' 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies. Bless those who curse you. Do good to those who hate you. Pray for those who persecute you and insult you. 45 "Show yourselves true sons of your Father in heaven. For he makes the sun rise on the good and the bad. He makes the rain fall on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 "If you love only those who love you, there is no reward for you. For even the publicans do as much. 47 If you greet only your friends, you are doing no more than others. For even the publicans do as much. 48 Therefore be perfect, as your Father in heaven is perfect." St. Matthew - Chapter 6 CHARITY 1 "Beware of giving alms before men in order to be seen by them. Otherwise, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2. Therefore when you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you. For the hypocrites do it in the synagogues and in the streets to make people praise them. Well, I tell you, they have already received their reward. 3 "On the contrary, when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. 4 Let your alms be in secret. Then your Father who sees you in secret will reward you openly." PRAYER 5 "When you pray, do not act like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the streets, to let people see them. Well, I tell you, they have already received their reward. 6 "On the contrary, when you pray, go into your private chamber, shut the door, and pray to your Father in secret. Then your Father who sees you in secret will reward you openly. 7 "When you pray, do not use vain repetitions, as the pagans do. For they think that they will be heard, if they talk a great deal. 8 Do not be like them. For your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 "Therefore pray in this manner: 'Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. 13 And let us not fall into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.' 14 "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will forgive you also. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, your Father will not forgive your trespasses either." FASTING 16 "When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. For they distort their 8 faces, to advertise their fasting to the people. Well, I tell you, they have already received their reward. 17 "On the contrary, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face. 18 Do not let anyone see that you are fasting, except your Father in heaven. Then your Father who sees you in secret will reward you openly." TREASURES IN HEAVEN 19 "Do not pile up your treasure on earth, where moth and rust can ruin them and where thieves can break in and steal them. 20 But pile up your treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust can ruin them and where thieves cannot break in and steal them. 21 For your heart will be wherever you store up your treasures. 22 "The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is sound, your entire body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is blind, your entire body will be full of darkness. Therefore, if your light is darkness, how deep the darkness will be! 24 "No one can serve two masters. For either he will hate one and love the other, or he will support one and oppose the other. You cannot serve both God and mammon." WORLDLY WORRIES 25 "Therefore I tell you: Do not worry about what you will eat and what you will drink to sustain your life, nor about what you will wear to protect your body. By worrying you ruin your life which is more important than food, and you ruin your body which is more important than clothing." DIVINE PROVIDENCE 26 "Look at the birds of the sky. They do not sow, or reap, or store their food in barns. Yet your heavenly Father feeds them. You are certainly more important than the birds. 27 Moreover, no one of you can add a single cubit to his span of life by worrying about it. 28 "Why do you worry about clothing? See how the lilies of the field are flourishing. They do not toil or spin. 29 Yet I tell you: Even Solomon in all his glory was never dressed like one of them. 30 Now, if God so clothes the wild flowers, which bloom today and are thrown into the furnace tomorrow, then he will much more clothe you, a men of little faith." KINGDOM OF GOD FIRST 31 "Therefore do not worry and do not ask what we shall eat, or what we shall drink, or what we shall wear. 32 For the pagans are looking for all these comforts. Remember, your Father in heaven knows that you need them. 33 But seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness. For then you will have all these other comforts besides. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow. For tomorrow will take care of itself. The daily worry is sufficient for each day." Next >