Rediscover the Book of Matthew with the New Century Gospels of Jesus Christ. The New Century Gospels are a contemporary version of the canonical Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) which uses the “Twentieth Century New Testament” as its primary resource.
Subsequent edits were made after careful consideration of the King James’ Bible and the current forms of modern English usage. The resulting text brings the story and teachings of Jesus to life for all readers, regardless of their faith. The Book of Matthew can read for free in its entirety here at LivingHour.org.
The Gospel of Matthew (along with Mark, Luke, & John) can also be bought as an eBook by clicking on the cover image. The New Century Gospels are also included in our book The Lord’s Prayer for Daily Life, which can be read for free online too.
God is With Us
Gospel of Matthew 1 A genealogy of Jesus Christ, a descendant of David and Abraham. 2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac of Jacob, Jacob of Judah and his brothers, 3 Judah of Perez and Zerah (whose mother was Tamar), Perez of Hezron, Hezron of Ram, 4 Ram of Amminadab, Amminadab of Nashon, Nashon of Salmon, 5 Salmon of Boaz (whose mother was Rahab), Boaz of Obed (whose mother was Ruth), Obed of Jesse, 6 Jesse of David the King. David was the father of Solomon (whose mother was Uriah’s widow), 7 Solomon of Rehoboam, Rehoboam of Abijah, Abijah of Asa, 8 Asa of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat of Jehoram, Jehoram of Uzziah,...
Angel of the Lord
Gospel of Matthew 2 After the birth of Jesus at Bethlehem in Judea, in the reign of King Herod, some wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem, asking: 2 “Where is the new–born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and have come to pay homage to him.” 3 When King Herod heard of this, he was much troubled, and so too was all Jerusalem. 4 He called together all the chief priests and teachers of the law in the nation, and questioned them as to where the Christ was to be born. 5 “At Bethlehem in Judea,” was their answer; “for it is said by the prophet: 6 ‘And Bethlehem in Judah’s land is in no way least...
Brood of Vipers
Gospel of Matthew 3 About that time, John the Baptist first appeared, proclaiming in the wilderness of Judea: 2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 3 This is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, when he says: ‘The voice of one crying aloud in the wilderness: Make ready the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’“ 4 John wore clothing made of camels’ hair, with a belt of leather round his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 At that time Jerusalem and all Judea, as well as the whole district of the Jordan, went out to him, 6 And were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing...
I Will Make You Fishers of Men
Gospel of Matthew 4 Then Jesus was led up into the wilderness by the Spirit to be tempted by the devil. 2 And, after he had fasted for forty days and forty nights, he became hungry. 3 And the tempter came to him, and said: “If you are God’s Son, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But Jesus answered: “Scripture says: ‘It is not on bread alone that we are to live, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’“ 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and placing him on the parapet of the temple, said to him: 6 “If you are God’s Son, throw yourself down, for scripture says: ‘He...
You are the Salt of the Earth
Gospel of Matthew 5 On seeing the crowds of people, Jesus went up the hill; and when he had taken his seat, his disciples came up to him; 2 And he began to teach them as follows: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are the mourners, for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” 7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall find mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called Sons of God....
Pray Like This
Gospel of Matthew 6 “Take care not to perform your religious duties in public in order to be seen by others; if you do, your Father who is in heaven has no reward for you. 2 Therefore, when you do acts of charity, do not have a trumpet blown in front of you, as hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. There, I tell you, is their reward! 3 But, when you do acts of charity, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 So that your charity may be secret; and your Father, who sees what is in secret, will recompense you. 5 And, when you pray, you are not to behave as hypocrites...
Cast Pearls Before Swine
Gospel of Matthew 7 “Do not judge, that you may not be judged. 2 For, just as you judge others, you will yourselves be judged, and the measure that you mete will be meted out to you. 3 And why do you look at the straw in your brother’s eye, while you pay no attention at all to the beam in yours? 4 How will you say to your brother, ‘Let me take out the straw from your eye,’ when all the time there is a beam in your own? 5 Hypocrite! Take out the beam from your own eye first, and then you will see clearly how to take out the straw from your brother’s and sister’s. 6 Do not give what is sacred to dogs; nor...
Dead Bury Their Dead
Gospel of Matthew 8 When Jesus had come down from the hill, great crowds followed him. 2 And he saw a leper who came up, and bowed to the ground before him, and said: “Master, if only you are willing, you are able to make me clean.” 3 Stretching out his hand, Jesus touched him, saying as he did so: “I am willing; become clean.” Instantly he was made clean from his leprosy; 4 And then Jesus said to him: “Be careful not to say a word to anyone, but go and show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift directed by Moses, as evidence of your cure.” 5 After Jesus had entered Capernaum, a captain in the Roman army came up to him,...
New Wine in Old Wineskins
Gospel of Matthew 9 Afterwards Jesus got into a boat, and, crossing over, came to his own city. 2 And there some people brought to him a paralyzed man on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man: “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven.” 3 Then some of the teachers of the law said to themselves: “This man is blaspheming!” 4 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus exclaimed: “Why do you cherish such wicked thoughts? 5 Which, I ask, is the easier? To say: ‘Your sins are forgiven’? Or to say: ‘Get up, and walk about’? 6 But, that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins.”...
Sheep Among Wolves
Gospel of Matthew 10 Calling his twelve disciples to him, Jesus gave them authority over foul spirits, so that they could drive them out, as well as the power of curing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness. 2 The names of the twelve apostles are these: First Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James the son of Zebediah, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the tax–collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the zealot, and Judas Iscariot—the apostle who betrayed him. 5 These twelve Jesus sent out as his messengers, after giving them these instructions: “Do...
The Coming One
Gospel of Matthew 11 After Jesus had finished giving directions to his twelve disciples, he left that place in order to teach and preach in their towns. 2 Now John had heard in prison what the Christ was doing, and he sent a message by his disciples, 3 And asked: “Are you ‘The Coming One,’ or are we to look for someone else?” 4 The answer of Jesus to the question was: “Go and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind recover their sight, and the lame walk; the lepers are made clean and the deaf hear; the dead, too, are raised to life, and the gospel is told to the poor. 6 And blessed is the one who finds no hindrance...
The Wisdom of Solomon
Gospel of Matthew 12 About the same time, Jesus walked through the corn–fields one Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and began to pick some ears of wheat and eat them. 2 But, when the Pharisees saw this, they said: “Look! your disciples are doing what it is not allowable to do on a Sabbath!” 3 “Have not you read,” replied Jesus, “what David did, when he and his companions were hungry. 4 How he went into the house of God, and how they ate the consecrated bread, though it was not allowable for him or his companions to eat, but only for the priests? 5 And have not you read in the law that, on the Sabbath, the priests in the...
The Sower and Seed Parable
Gospel of Matthew 13 That same day, when Jesus had left the house and was sitting by the sea, 2 such great crowds gathered round him, that he got into a boat, and sat in it, while all the people stood upon the beach. 3 Then he told them many truths in parables. “The sower,” he began, “went out to sow; and, 4 While sowing, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it had not much soil, and, having no depth of soil, sprang up at once. 6 As soon as the sun had risen, it was scorched, and, having no root, withered away. 7 Some, again, fell into the brambles; but the brambles shot...
The Head of John the Baptist
Gospel of Matthew 14 At that time Prince Herod heard of the fame of Jesus, 2 And said to his attendants: “This must be John the Baptist; he must be risen from the dead, and that is why these miraculous powers are active in him.” 3 For Herod had arrested John, put him in chains, and shut him up in prison to please Herodias, the wife of Herod’s brother Philip. 4 For John had said to him: ‘You have no right to be living with her.’ 5 Yet, though Herod wanted to put him to death, he was afraid of the people, because they looked on John as a prophet. 6 But, when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced...
Fish and Loaves
Gospel of Matthew 15 Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus, and said: 2 “How is it that your disciples break the traditions of our ancestors? For they do not wash their hands when they eat food.” 3 His reply was: “How is it that you on your side break God’s commandments out of respect for your own traditions? 4 For God said: Honor thy father and mother,’ and ‘Let those who revile their father or mother suffer death,’ 5 But you say that whenever anyone says to his father or mother, “Whatever of mine might have been of service to you is ‘Given to God,’ 6 You are in no way bound...
The Sign of Jonah
Gospel of Matthew 16 Here the Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and, to test Jesus, requested him to show them some sign from the heavens. 2 But Jesus answered: “In the evening you say: ‘It will be fine weather, for the sky is as red as fire.’ 3 But in the morning you say: ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is as red as fire and threatening.’ You learn to read the sky; yet you are unable to read the signs of the times! 4 A wicked and unfaithful generation is asking for a sign, but no sign shall be given it except the sign of Jonah.” So he left them and went away. 5 Now the disciples had crossed to the opposite...
Faith of a Mustard Seed
Gospel of Matthew 17 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter, and the brothers James and John, and led them up a high mountain alone. 2 There his appearance was transformed before their eyes; his face shown like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 And all at once Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Jesus. 4 “Master,” exclaimed Peter, interposing, “it is good to be here; if you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and there was a voice from the cloud that said: “This is my Son, the Beloved,...
Forgive Seven Times or Seventy Times?
Gospel of Matthew 18 On the same occasion the disciples came to Jesus, and asked him: “Who is really the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 Jesus called a little child to him, and placed it in the middle of them, and then said: 3 “I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven at all. 4 Therefore, all who humble themselves like this child shall be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And anyone who, for the sake of my name, welcomes even one little child like this, is welcoming me.” 6 “But, if anyone who puts a snare in the way of one of these lowly ones who believe...
The First Will Be Last
Gospel of Matthew 19 At the conclusion of this teaching, Jesus withdrew from Galilee, and went into that district of Judea which is on the other side of the Jordan. 2 Great crowds followed him, and he cured them there. 3 Presently some Pharisees came up to him, and, to test him, said: “Has a man the right to divorce his wife for every cause?” 4 “Have not you read,” replied Jesus, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ 5 And said: ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother, and be united to his wife, and the man and his wife shall become one’? 6 So that they are no longer two, but...
Parable of the Vineyard Workers
Gospel of Matthew 20 “For the kingdom of heaven is like an employer who went out in the early morning to hire laborers for his vineyards. 2 He agreed with the laborers to pay them two shillings a day, and sent them into his vineyard. 3 On going out again, about nine o’clock, he saw some others standing in the market-place, doing nothing. 4 ‘You also may go into my vineyard,’ he said, ‘and I will pay you what is fair.’” 5 “So the men went. Going out again about mid-day and about three o’clock, he did as before. 6 When he went out about five, he found some other men standing there, and...
Den of Thieves
Gospel of Matthew 21 When they had almost reached Jerusalem, having come as far as Bethphage, on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent on two disciples. 2 “Go to the village facing you,” he said, “and you will immediately find a donkey tethered, with a foal by her side; untie her, and lead her here for me. 3 And, if anyone says anything to you, you are to say this: ‘The Master wants them’; and he will send them at once.” 4 This happened in fulfillment of these words by the prophet: 5 ‘Say to the daughter of Zion: Behold, thy King is coming to thee, Gentle, and riding on an ass, and on the foal of a...
Render to Caesar
Gospel of Matthew 22 Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables. 2 “The kingdom of heaven,” he said, “may be compared to a king who gave a banquet in honor of his son’s wedding. 3 He sent his servants to call those who had been invited to the banquet, but they were unwilling to come. 4 A second time he sent some servants, with orders to say to those who had been invited: ‘I have prepared my breakfast, my cattle and fat beasts are killed, and everything is ready; come to the banquet.’ 5 They, however, took no notice, but went off, one to his farm, another to his business; 6 While the rest, seizing his...
Jesus, Pharisees, & Hypocrites
Gospel of Matthew 23 Then Jesus speaking to the crowds and to his disciples, said: 2 “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees now occupy the chair of Moses. 3 Therefore practice and lay to heart everything that they preach but do not copy their works, for they do not follow what they preach. 4 While they make up heavy loads and pile them on other men’s shoulder’s they decline, themselves, to lift a finger to move them. 5 All their actions are done to attract attention. They widen their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, and like to have the place of honor at dinner, and the best seats in the synagogues,...
False Christs & False Prophets
Gospel of Matthew 24 Leaving the temple courts, Jesus was walking away, when his disciples came up to draw his attention to the temple buildings. 2 “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “I tell you, not a single stone will be left here upon another, which will not be throne down,” 3 So, while Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, his disciples came up to him privately and said: “Tell us when this will be, and what will be the sign of your coming, and of the close of the age.” 4 Jesus replied to them as follows: “See that no one leads you astray; 5 For, many will take my name, and come saying...
Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids
Gospel of Matthew 25 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps, but took no oil with them; 4 While the prudent ones, besides taking their lamps, took oil in their jars. 5 As the bridegroom was late in coming, they all became drowsy, and slept. 6 But at midnight a shout was raised: ‘The Bridegroom is coming! Come out to meet him!’ 7 Then all the bridesmaids awoke and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the prudent: ‘Give us some of your oil; our...
Thirty Pieces of Silver
Gospel of Matthew 26 When Jesus had finished all this teaching, he said to his disciples: 2 “You know that in two days time, the festival of the Passover will be here; and that the Son of Man is to be given up to be crucified.” 3 Then the chief priests and the councilors of the nation met in the house of the high priest, named Caiaphas, 4 And plotted together to arrest Jesus by stealth and put him to death; 5 But they said: “Not during the festival, for fear of causing a riot.” 6 After Jesus had reached Bethany, and while he was in the house of Simon the leper, 7 A woman came up to him with an alabaster jar of very...
Forsaken Me
Gospel of Matthew 27 At daybreak all the chief priests and the councilors of the nation consulted together against Jesus, to bring about his death. 2 They put him in chains and led him away, and gave him up to the Roman governor, Pilate. 3 Then Judas, who betrayed him, seeing that Jesus was condemned, repented of what he had done, and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and councilors. 4 “I did wrong in betraying a good man to his death,” he said. “What has that to do with us?” they replied. “You must see to that yourself.” 5 Judas flung down the pieces of silver in the temple...
Jesus is Risen
Gospel of Matthew 28 After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary had gone to look at the grave, 2 When suddenly a great earthquake occurred. For an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled away the stone, and seated himself upon it. 3 His appearance was as dazzling as lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow; 4 And, in their terror of him, the men on guard trembled violently and became like dead men. 5 But the angel, addressing the women, said: “You need not be afraid. I now that it is Jesus, who was crucified, for whom you are looking. 6 He is not here;...