Ep. 1. Background for the Gospel of Matthew: What Was the World Like When Jesus Was Born?

About this episode

Sam and Will introduce the Gospel of Matthew by exploring the historical and cultural context of the world when Jesus was born.

*Trigger warning: this episode contains brief discussion of sexual anarchy in Ancient Roman culture. Viewer discretion is advised. Want to partner with us and help make more content like this possible? Donate Here: https://secure.ncfgiving.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0UVx000009MGYoMAO In this episode of The Bible Show, Sam and Will begin their first long-form walk through a New Testament book by introducing the Gospel of Matthew. They explain the difference between the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) and how John focuses on Jesus’ identity as God the Son. Before starting Matthew 1 and the genealogy, they give a beginner-friendly background to the world Jesus was born into, including foreign rule, pressure to “earn” God’s favor through obedience, and the rise of groups like Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, and Zealots. They also unpack why many first-century Jews expected a political or military Messiah, and why Jesus’ message of mercy, loving enemies, and faith was so confusing and offensive to many leaders. The episode closes by pointing forward to Matthew 1, highlighting the grace and beauty found in Jesus’ genealogy, and ending with a prayer for readers as they enter the…

People in this episode

Hosts: Sam, Will

Topics covered

• Gospel of Matthew
• Historical context of Jesus
• First-century Judaism
• Synoptic Gospels
• Messianic expectations
• Cultural background

Keywords

• Gospel of Matthew
• Jesus
• Pharisees
• Sadducees
• Essenes
• Zealots
• first-century Jews
• Messiah
• Christianity
• New Testament

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Gospel of Matthew, Synoptic Gospels

Places: Ancient Rome

More episodes of The Bible Show

• Ep. 6. Matthew 5 - What Do the Beatitudes Actually Mean? · June 11, 2026 · 1h 13m
• Ep. 103. Exodus 32-33 - Why Did the Israelites Build the Golden Calf? · June 9, 2026 · 1h 29m
• Ep. 5. Matthew 4 - How Did Jesus Resist Temptation in the Wilderness? · June 4, 2026 · 1h 25m
• Ep. 102. Exodus 28-31 - What Is a Mediator in the Bible, and Why Do We Need One? · June 2, 2026 · 1h 18m
• Ep. 4. Matthew 3 - Who Was John the Baptist, and Why Did He Baptize Jesus? · May 28, 2026 · 1h 26m
• Ep. 101. Exodus 25-27 & 31 - What Is the Tabernacle, and How Does It Point to Jesus? · May 26, 2026 · 1h 9m