Why was God silent for 400 years?

In this opening study of Matthew, Dr. Toby Holt explains the roughly 400 silent years between the Old and New Testaments — and why Matthew begins his Gospel with a long family tree (Matthew 1:1-17).

After the prophet Malachi, God sent no new word for about four centuries. Dr. Holt describes this silence as the calm before the storm — the stage going dark before the spotlight falls on Christ. During those years, empires rose and fell, from the Greeks under Alexander the Great to the Romans. Then Matthew, a former tax collector, opens his Gospel by tracing Jesus’ family line back through David and Abraham, proving Jesus is the promised King. Dr. Holt notes that Matthew even includes four Gentile women, a hint that this Savior is for all the nations.

Questions this study answers:

1. Why was God silent for over 400 years? After Malachi, God had said all that was needed until the coming of Christ. Dr. Holt describes the silence as the hush before God’s greatest act.

2. What makes Matthew’s Gospel different? Matthew wrote to a Jewish audience and opens with Jesus’ royal family tree, showing He is the promised son of David and Abraham. It roots Jesus firmly in real history.

3. Why are there two different genealogies in Matthew and Luke? The two accounts likely trace different lines — one royal and legal, the other more personal — and both affirm Jesus’ place in the family of David. They complement rather than contradict.

“So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, from David until the captivity in Babylon are fourteen generations, and from the captivity in Babylon until the Christ are fourteen generations.” — Matthew 1:17 (NKJV)

Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt is the President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, a Reformed seminary in Colorado Springs. He is known for clear, down-to-earth Bible teaching, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio.

Listen and go deeper: This sermon is part of the Matthew Explained study from New Geneva Theological Seminary. Find more verse-by-verse teaching across the Bible at newgeneva.org. To support this teaching ministry, visit newgeneva.org/give.

What does the name “Emmanuel” mean?

“God with us.” In Matthew 1:18-25, an angel tells Joseph that Mary’s child will be Emmanuel — God come to dwell with His people. In this study, Dr. Toby Holt explains the comfort packed into that name.

Mary was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit while only engaged to Joseph — a scandal in that culture. Joseph, a good man, planned to quietly end the engagement until an angel explained that the child was from God. The angel gave two names: “Jesus,” meaning the Lord saves, “for He will save His people from their sins”; and “Emmanuel,” meaning “God with us.” Dr. Holt draws out the difference between a God who is merely for us from a distance and a God who comes to be with us — in the manger, and to the end of the age.

Questions this study answers:

1. What is the difference between God being “for” us and “with” us? A God who is only “for” us helps from a distance, but a God who is “with” us draws near and shares our life. Emmanuel means God came to be with His people.

2. What did the angel tell Joseph? The angel said Mary’s child was from the Holy Spirit and must be named Jesus, for He would save His people from their sins. The news turned a scandal into salvation.

3. What comfort does “God with us” give the hurting? It assures us we are never alone. The God who came as a baby promises to be with His people always, even in their deepest pain.

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, ‘God with us.’” — Matthew 1:23 (NKJV)

Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt is the President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, a Reformed seminary in Colorado Springs. He is known for clear, down-to-earth Bible teaching, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio.

Listen and go deeper: This sermon is part of the Matthew Explained study from New Geneva Theological Seminary. Find more verse-by-verse teaching across the Bible at newgeneva.org. To support this teaching ministry, visit newgeneva.org/give.

Why was the sinless Jesus baptized?

In Matthew 3:13-17, Jesus comes to be baptized by John — even though He had no sin to wash away. In this study, Dr. Toby Holt explains what Jesus meant by “fulfilling all righteousness.”

John objected, knowing Jesus needed no repentance. But Jesus insisted, saying it was proper “to fulfill all righteousness.” Dr. Holt explains that our salvation needs both Christ’s death and His perfect life. Being forgiven makes us “not guilty,” but we also need righteousness to stand before God — and that righteousness is the obedient life of Christ, credited to us. As Jesus came up from the water, the Spirit descended like a dove and the Father spoke from heaven, a clear picture of the Trinity: three persons, one God.

Questions this study answers:

1. Why was Jesus baptized if He had no sin? Not to repent, but to “fulfill all righteousness” and identify with the people He came to save. His baptism marked the start of His public ministry.

2. What does “fulfill all righteousness” mean? It points to Christ’s perfect obedience, which is credited to believers. We are saved not only by His death for our sins but by His righteous life counted as ours.

3. How does the baptism show the Trinity? At the same moment, the Son was baptized, the Spirit descended like a dove, and the Father spoke from heaven. Three distinct persons, one God, appear together.

“And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’” — Matthew 3:17 (NKJV)

Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt is the President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, a Reformed seminary in Colorado Springs. He is known for clear, down-to-earth Bible teaching, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio.

Listen and go deeper: This sermon is part of the Matthew Explained study from New Geneva Theological Seminary. Find more verse-by-verse teaching across the Bible at newgeneva.org. To support this teaching ministry, visit newgeneva.org/give.

How did Jesus stand up to temptation?

With Scripture. In Matthew 4:1-11, the Spirit leads Jesus into the wilderness, where the devil tempts Him three times. In this study, Dr. Toby Holt shows how Jesus, the second Adam, stood where the first Adam fell.

After forty days without food, Jesus faced three temptations: to satisfy His hunger, to prove Himself by a spectacular leap, and to seize the world’s kingdoms by worshiping Satan. Each time, Jesus answered with the Word of God: “It is written.” Dr. Holt explains that where Adam fell in a lush garden, Jesus stood firm in a harsh desert, succeeding exactly where the first man failed. The devil even twisted Scripture to tempt Him, but Jesus used it rightly.

Questions this study answers:

1. What was each temptation aimed at? The first appealed to bodily appetite, the second to pride, and the third to the desire for power. Together they targeted the whole range of human weakness.

2. Why did Jesus answer with Scripture every time? Because God’s Word is the believer’s true weapon against temptation. Jesus modeled how to resist the devil by standing on what is written.

3. How does this connect to Adam in Genesis 3? Adam fell to temptation in a perfect garden, but Jesus, the second Adam, overcame it in a barren wilderness. He succeeded where the first man failed, for our sake.

“Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’” — Matthew 4:10 (NKJV)

Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt is the President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, a Reformed seminary in Colorado Springs. He is known for clear, down-to-earth Bible teaching, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio.

Listen and go deeper: This sermon is part of the Matthew Explained study from New Geneva Theological Seminary. Find more verse-by-verse teaching across the Bible at newgeneva.org. To support this teaching ministry, visit newgeneva.org/give.

Whose faith amazed Jesus?

A Roman soldier’s. In Matthew 8:5-13, a Gentile centurion shows greater faith than anyone in Israel, and Jesus marvels. In this study, Dr. Toby Holt explains what real faith looks like.

A Roman officer came to Jesus on behalf of his paralyzed servant. He did not ask Jesus to come to his house — he simply said, “Speak a word, and my servant will be healed.” As a man under authority who commanded soldiers, he recognized Jesus’ authority over sickness itself. Jesus marveled and said He had not found such great faith even in Israel. Dr. Holt notes the warning that follows: many outsiders will feast in the kingdom while some who assumed they belonged are shut out. Lineage does not save; faith does.

Questions this study answers:

1. Why did Jesus marvel at the centurion’s faith? Because this Gentile soldier trusted Jesus’ word alone, without needing to see a sign. His simple confidence stood out above all Israel.

2. What was unusual about the centurion’s request? He told Jesus there was no need to come to his home; a word would be enough. He understood that Jesus’ authority was greater than any distance.

3. What warning did Jesus give? He warned that many outsiders would share in the kingdom while some who presumed on their heritage would be left out. Faith, not background, is what saves.

“Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” — Matthew 8:10 (NKJV)

Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt is the President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, a Reformed seminary in Colorado Springs. He is known for clear, down-to-earth Bible teaching, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio.

Listen and go deeper: This sermon is part of the Matthew Explained study from New Geneva Theological Seminary. Find more verse-by-verse teaching across the Bible at newgeneva.org. To support this teaching ministry, visit newgeneva.org/give.

What is the difference between a disciple and an apostle?

In Matthew 10:1-23, Jesus chooses twelve ordinary men, gives them His authority, and sends them out. In this study, Dr. Toby Holt explains what set the apostles apart and what Jesus warned them to expect.

Moved with compassion for crowds who were like sheep without a shepherd, Jesus called twelve unlikely men — fishermen, a tax collector, even Judas. Dr. Holt distinguishes a disciple, who patterns his life after his teacher, from an apostle, who is uniquely sent with the sender’s authority. Jesus sent them first to Israel, told them to travel by faith, and warned them plainly: they would be like “sheep among wolves,” facing rejection and persecution. Those who endure to the end, He promised, will be saved.

Questions this study answers:

1. What is the difference between a disciple and an apostle? A disciple follows and imitates his teacher, something true of every believer. An apostle was specially sent with Christ’s own authority, a unique office in the early church.

2. What warnings did Jesus give the apostles? He warned they would be like sheep among wolves, facing rejection, arrest, and even betrayal by family. He told them to be wise and to endure.

3. What were the apostles sent to do? They were sent with Christ’s authority to preach, heal, and call people to repentance, beginning with Israel. They carried His message as His official representatives.

“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” — Matthew 10:16 (NKJV)

Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt is the President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, a Reformed seminary in Colorado Springs. He is known for clear, down-to-earth Bible teaching, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio.

Listen and go deeper: This sermon is part of the Matthew Explained study from New Geneva Theological Seminary. Find more verse-by-verse teaching across the Bible at newgeneva.org. To support this teaching ministry, visit newgeneva.org/give.

Who does Jesus call blessed?

Not who you might expect. In Matthew 5:1-16, Jesus opens the Sermon on the Mount by blessing the poor in spirit, the mourning, and the persecuted. In this study, Dr. Toby Holt explains the surprising heart of the Beatitudes.

Many in Jesus’ audience were ordinary, hurting people who had been pushed aside by the religious leaders. Instead of more rules, Jesus offered blessing. The Beatitudes lift up the humble and broken — the very people the Pharisees looked down on. Dr. Holt contrasts these eight blessings with the eight “woes” Jesus later pronounced on the proud religious leaders. Then Jesus calls His followers to be “salt” and “light,” changing the world around them rather than blending in.

Questions this study answers:

1. Who was Jesus speaking to? He spoke to ordinary, broken people, many of them poorly taught by the Pharisees. He met them with blessing rather than burden.

2. How do the blessings of Matthew 5 differ from the woes of Matthew 23? The Beatitudes bless the humble and lowly, while the woes warn the proud religious leaders. One lifts up the broken; the other confronts the self-righteous.

3. What does it mean to be salt and light? It means living in a way that preserves what is good and shines God’s truth into the world. Believers are meant to make a visible difference, not blend in.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” — Matthew 5:3 (NKJV)

Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt is the President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, a Reformed seminary in Colorado Springs. He is known for clear, down-to-earth Bible teaching, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio.

Listen and go deeper: This sermon is part of the Matthew Explained study from New Geneva Theological Seminary. Find more verse-by-verse teaching across the Bible at newgeneva.org. To support this teaching ministry, visit newgeneva.org/give.

Can the gates of hell defeat the church?

No. In Matthew 16:13-28, Jesus promises that the gates of hell will not prevail against His church. In this study, Dr. Toby Holt unpacks Peter’s great confession and Christ’s bold promise.

Jesus led His disciples to Caesarea Philippi, a center of pagan worship known for a cave called “the gates of hell.” There He asked, “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” On the truth of that confession, Jesus said, He would build His church — and hell itself could not stop it. Yet moments later, when Jesus spoke of His coming death, Peter objected, and Jesus rebuked him sharply. To follow Christ, He said, we must take up our cross.

Questions this study answers:

1. Why did Jesus go to “hell’s gates”? He took His disciples to a dark center of pagan worship to declare, right there, that His church would triumph over the powers of evil. The setting made the promise vivid.

2. What did Peter confess? Peter declared that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. This confession is the bedrock truth on which Christ builds His church.

3. What does “on this rock I will build my church” mean? Jesus promised to build an unstoppable church on the truth of who He is. Even the full force of hell will not overcome it.

“...you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” — Matthew 16:18 (NKJV)

Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt is the President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, a Reformed seminary in Colorado Springs. He is known for clear, down-to-earth Bible teaching, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio.

Listen and go deeper: This sermon is part of the Matthew Explained study from New Geneva Theological Seminary. Find more verse-by-verse teaching across the Bible at newgeneva.org. To support this teaching ministry, visit newgeneva.org/give.