Why Literal Interpretation Matters: Starting Matthew in a Skeptical Age - Matthew 1

March 30th, 2026
by Richie Cancel

Introduction: How Do You Read Someone Else’s Words?

If you have your Bible, go ahead and turn to Matthew.
Every time we open the Bible, whether we realize it or not, we’re asking a very important question: How do I understand the meaning of someone else’s words? That’s not just a Bible question—that’s life. You do this every time you read a text message.

Think about it:

Who sent the text?
When did they send it?
What did they say before this?
What’s my history with this person?

If someone texts you, “Do you have time for a quick conversation?” you interpret that very differently depending on who sent it. With some people you know, there is no such thing as “quick.” With others, when they say “quick,” they truly mean two minutes and done.

You also know timing matters. If you read that text three days later, you don’t respond, “Sure, right now?” They weren’t talking about three days from now—they meant back then.
We intuitively use context, relationship, and history to interpret texts on our phones… but often ignore those same tools when we open God’s Word.

The way we answer that question—How do I understand someone else’s words?—is exactly what this series through Matthew is about.

— Matthew 1:1 (NKJV)

“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” 

What Is Hermeneutics?
[Hermeneutics and You]

How Are Christians Supposed to Read the Bible?

In Bible study, the term for this whole process of understanding meaning is hermeneutics.
Hermeneutics is:
A science – there are rules and principles.
An art – because we apply those rules differently depending on the type of writing.

Scripture isn’t one flat kind of literature. Inside the Bible you have:

Historical narratives
Poetry
Prophecy
Wisdom literature
Parables
Letters

We don’t read poetry the same way we read a news report, and we shouldn’t read a parable the same way we read a genealogy. Hermeneutics is simply learning how to read each kind of biblical writing the way God intended.

Exegesis vs. Eisegesis
[Pulling Truth Out of Scripture]

What’s the Difference Between Exegesis and Eisegesis?

That brings up two important words:
Exegesis – “to lead out of.” This is when we pull out of the text what is already there—its intended meaning.
Eisegesis – “to lead into.” This is when we read into the text what we want it to say, or what we already think.
Exegesis asks: What did God say? What did the author mean? What did the original hearers understand? Eisegesis says: I feel like this means… and forces the Bible to match our opinion or experience.
Our goal, as we study Matthew, is exegesis—to let the text speak and let God define His own words.

From What the Bible Says to How We Live
[Biblical, Systematic, and Practical Theology]

How Do We Get From Scripture to Real-Life Faith?

When we read the Bible carefully, we end up forming different “kinds” of theology that actually work together:
Biblical Theology – following the story of God’s revelation from Genesis to Revelation. What did God reveal and when? How does the story develop?
Systematic Theology – gathering everything the Bible says on a topic (angels, salvation, marriage, etc.) and organizing it. What does the whole Bible say about this subject?
Practical Theology – how all of that actually shapes our lives today. What does this mean for my decisions, my relationships, my city, my church, my neighborhood in Brooklyn?
Matthew’s Gospel is a gift here because it really helps with all three.

Why Matthew Is a “Teaching Gospel”
[Why Study Matthew?]

What Makes the Gospel of Matthew Unique?

As you read Matthew, you’ll notice something: he tends to group Jesus’ teachings together and Jesus’ works together.

In Luke, Jesus’ sayings and miracles are often more spread out.
In Matthew, you get big blocks of teaching—like the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7)—followed by sections loaded with miracles.

Roughly 60% of Matthew is teaching:

Parables
Prophecies
Metaphors
Direct instruction to disciples

So Matthew is especially helpful if you want to know: What did Jesus actually teach? What did He expect from His followers?

Matthew also constantly ties Jesus back to the Old Testament, showing:

Jesus is the promised Messiah.
Jesus is the fulfillment of specific prophecies.
God is keeping His ancient covenants through Jesus.

So when we study Matthew, we’re doing:
Biblical theology – seeing the story from Abraham and David forward.
Systematic theology – seeing themes like kingdom, discipleship, and fulfillment woven together.

Literal, Figurative, and Symbolic Reading
[How Literally Should We Read the Bible?]

Do Christians Take the Bible Too Literally?

There are three main forms of interpretation we use:

Literal – We read the text in its plain, normal sense, recognizing grammar, history, and context.
Figurative – We recognize metaphors, similes, and parables. Jesus is literally not a door, but when He says, “I am the door” (John 10:9), that’s a picture.
Symbolic – Often in prophecy and apocalyptic literature (think Revelation, parts of Daniel), where images represent deeper realities.

When I say we interpret Scripture literally, I don’t mean woodenly or foolishly. I mean:
We take events as real history when Scripture presents them as history.

Jesus treated Jonah and Sodom and Gomorrah as historical realities, so we do too (see Matthew 12:39–41; Luke 17:28–29).

We also recognize when God tells us a passage is symbolic—like John the Baptist coming “in the spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke 1:17).

We follow Scripture’s own cues.
Why does this matter?

Because Jesus Himself is the literal fulfillment of literal promises. If we turn everything into vague symbolism, we end up treating God’s promises like human promises—soft, flexible, maybe he meant something else. But if God speaks clearly, He means what He says.

Themes in Matthew: Jesus, the Church, and Discipleship
[What Are the Main Themes of Matthew?]

What Is the Gospel of Matthew Really About?

If you sat down and read Matthew in one sitting—it takes about three and a half hours—you’d notice three major themes:

Jesus – as King, Messiah, Son of God, Lamb of God.
The Church – this new people God is forming.
Discipleship – what it actually looks like to follow Jesus.

Matthew is written with a Jewish audience in mind. He wants to prove:
Jesus is Israel’s promised King, the Son of David.
Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s covenant with Abraham.
Yet, Jesus is not only for Israel—He is for all nations.

That’s why the Gospel ends with the Great Commission:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you…” — Matthew 28:19–20 (NKJV)

Notice that: “Teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you.”

That’s Matthew’s whole structure:
Teach – Here’s what Jesus said. Jesus WORDS.
Touch – Here’s what Jesus did. Jesus WORKS.
Then send – Now go and help others follow Him too.

And yes, that’s a little scary. Because the more we know, the more we’re responsible to live and share. Some of us almost prefer ignorance—“If I don’t know, I’m not accountable.” But Matthew won’t let us sit there. He disciples us so we can disciple others.

Galilee, Brooklyn, and the People God Chooses

(Does God Really Work in “Unlikely” Places?)

Matthew also spends a lot of time in Galilee, and that matters.
Galilee wasn’t the respected, polished religious center. It was more like:
A spiritually mixed neighborhood
With different cultures
Different religions
Different accents
A reputation for being unrefined and uneducated
Sounds a little like Brooklyn, doesn’t it?

Here in Brooklyn, you can walk a few blocks and pass:

Churches
Mosques
Temples
Cult meeting spaces
Tarot readers

And people from dozens of nations, worldviews, and spiritual backgrounds
That was Galilee.

People said, “Nothing good comes out of there” (John 1:46). Yet God chose that place as the main stage of Jesus’ early ministry.

That should give hope to everyone in Brooklyn who feels spiritually disqualified—because of your background, your accent, your past, your confusion. Galilee reminds us: God loves to work in messy, mixed-up places. And Matthew shows that many of the first to recognize Jesus as the Son of God weren’t the religious elite—but outsiders, even demons (Matthew 8:29).

Matthew 1:1 — One Verse, Two Covenants, One Faithful God
[What Does “Son of David, Son of Abraham” Mean?]

Why Does Matthew Begin with a Genealogy?

Back to our anchor verse:
“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” — Matthew 1:1 (NKJV)

In that one sentence, Matthew pulls together:
Abraham – the father of Israel, the man of faith.
David – Israel’s greatest king, the man after God’s own heart.
Jesus – the fulfillment of both their promises.

You could sum this up in one word: promise.

Matthew is telling us: Jesus is here because God keeps His promises.
Let’s look at those promises.

God’s Covenant with Abraham
[What Did God Promise Abraham?]

How Does Abraham’s Story Connect to Jesus?

Turn with me to Genesis 12:
“Now the Lord had said to Abram: ‘Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’” — Genesis 12:1–3 (NKJV)

A few key things:
Abraham was an idol worshiper when God called him (Joshua 24:2). God didn’t choose a spiritual superstar.
God gave Abraham a command and a promise. The command: “Get out… leave your country, your family.” The promises: “I will make you a great nation… I will bless you… in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Abraham’s part was simple—but costly:
Take a step of faith.
Leave what was familiar.
Trust a God he barely knew.

Once Abraham obeyed, God continued to expand and reaffirm this covenant (see Genesis 15; 17; 22). Over and over, you see:
“I will… I will… I will…”
It becomes clear: this is a grace-based, promise-keeping God.

And when Abraham and Sarah tried to “help God out” and not take Him literally (with Hagar and Ishmael in Genesis 16), they created a mess. That’s what happens when we stop trusting God’s clear promises and start improvising.

The same pattern is in our lives: God calls us out of something—out of spiritual idolatry, out of old patterns, out of sinful identities—and calls us into relationship, purpose, and blessing, if we’ll take that first step of faith.

God’s Covenant with David
[What Did God Promise David?]

Why Is Jesus Called the “Son of David”?

Now look at God’s covenant with David in 2 Samuel 7:
“I took you from the sheepfold, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people, over Israel.” — 2 Samuel 7:8 (NKJV)

God reminds David: “I raised you up. This was My idea.” Then He promises:
“Also the Lord tells you that He will make you a house. When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his Father, and he shall be My son… And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever.” — 2 Samuel 7:11–14, 16 (NKJV)

Notice those words: forever… forever… forever.
There is discipline in this covenant (“I will chasten him”), but there is no escape clause. God doesn’t say, “If he messes up, I’m done.” He says, “I will correct him—like a Father—but My promise stands.”

Matthew 1:1 is Matthew’s way of saying:
Jesus is the seed of Abraham through whom “all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Jesus is the Son of David whose throne is established forever.

In other words:  If you want to know whether God keeps His promises, look at Jesus.

The New Covenant: Jesus Extends the Promise to Us
[What Is the New Covenant?]

(How Does Jesus’ Blood Change My Relationship With God?)

God had already promised through Jeremiah:
“Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah… I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people… For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.” — Jeremiah 31:31, 33–34 (NKJV)

Then, at the Last Supper, Jesus picks up that language:
“Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.’” — Matthew 26:27–29 (NKJV)

Through Jesus, God offers:
Forgiveness of sins
A new heart and mind
A secure relationship with Him
The promise of eternal life and a future kingdom

Just like Abraham, you and I are invited into this covenant by faith. You don’t bring your résumé; you bring your need and your trust.

What Does This Mean for Life in Brooklyn?
[Living the New Covenant in a Modern City]

How Do God’s Ancient Promises Change My Life Today?

So what does all of this mean if you’re living in Brooklyn today?

God’s promises are more reliable than your circumstances. In a city where rent jumps, jobs shift, and relationships come and go, you need something stable. God’s covenants show He’s the kind of God who says forever and means forever.

No one is too far gone. Abraham was an idol worshiper. David was a shepherd and later a man who failed morally, yet repented. Galilee was looked down on. Brooklyn is full of people who feel disqualified—by sin, by religion, by family. God specializes in calling people from there.

Following Jesus means leaving some things behind. Like Abraham, saying “yes” to God means saying “no” to some patterns, some environments, maybe even some relationships that keep you stuck in old idols—whether that’s addiction, money, sexual sin, or simple self-reliance.

You’re called not just to believe—but to disciple. Matthew doesn’t just want you to nod at Jesus’ teachings. He expects you to learn them, live them, and then teach them. In Brooklyn, that could look like:

Inviting a coworker to read the Gospel of Matthew with you
Joining a local church in Brooklyn and serving in a small group
Sharing with family what God is teaching you from His Word
Walking with a younger believer as they take their first steps of faith

Spontaneous readings are good—but deep meditation is better.  Reading a Psalm on the train is great. But don’t stop there. Take time—maybe with your church in Brooklyn, maybe with a Bible study—to dig into context, history, and grammar. Build your life on rock, not sand (Luke 6:46–49).

Closing Application & Prayer

An Invitation to Step Into the Covenant

God is not playing “guess what I want” with you. He has spoken clearly through His Word and ultimately through His Son, Jesus.

He invites you into:

A new covenant
A forgiven life
A secure relationship
A purposeful mission in your neighborhood, your family, your borough

Just like Abraham, the first step is faith. Just like David, the ongoing step is repentance and returning whenever you stumble.

If you sense God tugging at your heart—whether to commit to Him for the first time or to recommit yourself to walking in this covenant—you can respond right where you are.

A Simple Prayer
“Lord, I see that You are a God who keeps promises. Thank You for sending Jesus, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham, for me. I confess my sin and my idolatries—things I’ve trusted more than You. I believe that Jesus shed His blood for the new covenant, for the forgiveness of my sins. I receive Your grace, Your forgiveness, and this relationship with You.  Teach me to follow You, step by step. Give me a new heart, a renewed mind, and the courage to leave behind what doesn’t honor You.  And use me to help others follow Jesus, here in Brooklyn and beyond. 
In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Common Questions About Being Right with God

1. What does “hermeneutics” mean for an everyday Christian?

It simply means learning how to read the Bible the way God intended—paying attention to context, type of writing, and original meaning so we don’t twist Scripture.

2. Do Christians really believe everything in the Bible literally? 

We take Scripture literally where it presents itself as literal, and figuratively or symbolically where Scripture indicates. We follow the same cues you naturally do when reading poetry vs. history.

3. Why is Matthew’s Gospel especially important for understanding Jesus? 

Matthew emphasizes Jesus as the Jewish Messiah, the Son of David and Son of Abraham, and gives us large blocks of His teaching. It’s crucial for understanding discipleship and God’s plan for both Israel and the church.

4. How do Abraham and David relate to my life today? 

Their covenants show us God’s character—faithful, patient, promise-keeping. Through Jesus, you’re invited into the same story of grace, forgiveness, and purpose.

5. How can I start studying Matthew more deeply in Brooklyn?

Join a Bible-believing church in Brooklyn that teaches through books of the Bible.
Read Matthew straight through once, then go back slowly.
Use a good study Bible or join a small group that practices thoughtful, contextual reading.

Introduction to Matthew 1 - Listen to Full Message Here

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