THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW
A faithful, family-accessible visual account of Matthew’s Gospel.
Should You Watch It?
If you want to see Matthew’s Gospel brought to the screen with unusual faithfulness, this is a worthwhile choice. The film presents a word-for-word dramatization of the New Testament book, includes verse references throughout, and offers a beautiful interpretation of Jesus Christ’s birth, ministry, death, and Resurrection.
The acting is well done, and the depiction of Christ and His ministry is excellent. The cinematic quality sometimes leaves something to be desired, and the 256-minute running time requires commitment. Still, the film is accessible, clear, and entertaining enough to serve families as well as churches, teachers, and preachers.
The main concern is the violence associated with Jesus’ passion and crucifixion, along with other disturbing biblical events. For older children and adults, the practical answer is simple: WORTH THE TRIP.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESTHE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW dramatizes the entire Gospel narrative, beginning with the Nativity and following Jesus through His earthly life and ministry. Matthew explains why he wrote his account: to show that Jesus of Nazareth is the long-awaited Messiah.
The film uses narration, dialogue, pastoral images of the Israeli countryside, and verse references on screen to present Matthew’s account as a visual Bible.
Is It Any Good?
Three stars means this is a solid, satisfactory production with real usefulness, even if its cinematic polish is uneven. The acting is well done, and the film provides an accessible, clear, and entertaining interpretation of the Gospel.
Its greatest strength is its faithfulness. The movie never deviates from the biblical account, and its depiction of Christ and His ministry is excellent. The cinematic quality at times leaves something to be desired, but the overall viewing experience remains worthwhile.
The Worldview
The film presents a very strong Christian worldview because it directly dramatizes Matthew’s Gospel. It identifies Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah and includes the Bible’s teachings about God, the Son of God, the disciples, the Holy Spirit, angels, prophecy, heaven, miracles, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, mercy, righteousness, humility, self-sacrifice, and resurrection.
Rather than revising or replacing the Gospel narrative, the movie presents it word for word. Its moral vision emphasizes justice, generosity, worship, reconciliation, integrity, faith, compassion, wisdom, patience, and love. It also portrays sin through betrayal, greed, and envy.
The film’s purpose is openly biblical: to provide a visual account useful for comment, preaching, teaching, illumination, and family entertainment. It can serve as an accessible starting point for people reading Matthew and exploring the Christian faith.
Matthew’s account points viewers toward faith in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God. As the Gospel itself says, “these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God” (John 20:31).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Very strong Christian worldview and redemptive elements including the quotation of Scripture, baptism, and references to Jesus, Son of God, disciples, Messiah, the Holy Spirit, angels, prophets, John the Baptist, heaven, miracles, the Lord’s prayer, and resurrection with very strong depiction of the Bible and biblical moral values including justice, generosity, worship, repentance, confession, reconciliation, righteousness, fasting, meekness, mercy, love, integrity, forgiveness, faith, compassion, wisdom, humility, patience, selflessness, and self-sacrifice; no profanities or obscenities; moderate violence with soldiers shown chasing/striking down young children to kill them, a dead man’s head is shown being carried in on a platter, a man hangs himself, a man is struck across the face, beaten, bloodied, spit upon, nailed to a cross, and crucified; no sexual content; mild nudity with lower rear nudity on several children, many different men are shown shirtless, some men shown in loincloths; mild drinking with wine served at a meal; no smoking; betrayal, greed, envy.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
The film presents Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah. What does Matthew show about who Jesus is and why He came?
Matthew 16:15–17 · John 20:31The story includes Jesus’ teaching about forgiveness, mercy, and reconciliation. Where do you most need to practice those qualities?
Matthew 5:7 · Matthew 18:21–22Matthew’s Gospel includes the Lord’s Prayer. What does this prayer teach us about dependence on God, forgiveness, and daily needs?
Matthew 6:9–13The film depicts both suffering and self-sacrifice. How does Jesus’ example challenge the way we respond to suffering or serve others?
Matthew 16:24 · Philippians 2:3–8The Final Word
This is a faithful and beautiful visual presentation of Matthew’s Gospel. Its rougher cinematic qualities do not erase its usefulness, clarity, or strong biblical content. Older children and adults can find a worthwhile family or teaching experience here. WORTH THE TRIP.
