A Course by Dr. Bart Ehrman

The Genius of the Gospel of Matthew

Uncover the overlooked literary genius and controversial aspects of Matthew's Gospel.

What revolutionary insights and controversial truths lie hidden within the Gospel of Matthew?

Course Overview

Discover the Literary Genius of Matthew's Gospel

The Gospel of Matthew is revered for preserving the iconic teachings of Jesus, especially from the Sermon on the Mount, including the Beatitudes, the Golden Rule, and the Lord’s Prayer, inspiring Christian readers through the ages...

However, there is a lot more to this Gospel than meets the eye. This course explores the real literary genius that goes almost completely unnoticed even by many avid Bible readers, whether committed conservative Christians, liberal-minded seekers, or complete outsiders with purely literary interests.

Always controversial and full of intrigue, join Bart as he delves into lesser-known insights from modern biblical scholarship, unraveling the mysteries behind one of the most influential books in our cultural history.

Controversial Questions Covered

If, as scholars maintain, Matthew used the Gospel of Mark as one of his sources, why did he change it so extensively?
Why does Matthew provide a genealogical line of Jesus that he is explicitly said not to be born into?
Does Matthew sometimes misquote the Old Testament or take it out of context in his attempt to prove that Jesus was the messiah?
How are we to understand the Sermon on the Mount? Does Jesus really expect his followers to keep such rigorous teachings? Not ever to get angry? Never to lust?
Matthew is often said to be the “most Jewish” of the Gospels. It is also often described as virulently anti-Jewish. How can it be both?
How was this Gospel used over the years both to shape Christian morality and to instigate horrible persecutions of Jews? Are there right and wrong ways to read this influential book?

Your Instructor

Dr. Bart Ehrman

James A. Gray Distinguished Professor of Religious Studies Emeritus · University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Bart D. Ehrman is the James A. Gray Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he taught from 1988 until his retirement in 2025. Recognized internationally for his scholarship on the New Testament and early Christianity, Professor Ehrman has written or edited thirty three books, including six New York Times bestsellers. His college level textbook The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings has remained the best-selling text in the field for more than twenty-five years. His scholarly works have been published by Oxford, Harvard, Yale, and other premier academic presses, and his books have been translated into twenty-seven languages, reaching millions of readers worldwide. Beyond the classroom, Professor Ehrman is a widely recognized public scholar. He has produced nine acclaimed courses for The Great Courses, in addition to numerous online courses available through BartEhrman.com. His books and courses have sold more than two million copies. He also writes for his charitable blog, The Bart Ehrman Blog, which has raised millions for organizations addressing poverty, homelessness, and hunger. In addition, he hosts the weekly podcast Misquoting Jesus with Bart Ehrman, available on YouTube and all major podcast platforms, where he brings cutting-edge biblical scholarship to a global audience.

Included With Enrollment

Six Bonus Resources to Enhance Your Learning

Bonus #1

Comprehensive Resources Pack

Take your learning experience to the next level with our Comprehensive Course Resources Pack. This invaluable resource includes: Text Overviews of Each Lesson: Get a clear and concise introduction to the topics covered in each lecture. Perfect for refreshing your memory or previewing what’s ahead. Printable PDFs with Note-Taking Space: Keep track of important points, reflections, and insights during the course. Thought-Provoking Reflection Questions: Dive deeper into the material with prompts that encourage critical thinking. This Course Resources Pack is your personal guide to mastering the material, ensuring you stay engaged and never miss a key insight.

Value $60

Bonus #2

Exclusive Q&A Sessions

Experience 60 Minutes of Live Q&A. Gain extra insights with our Exclusive Q&A Sessions. After each lecture, Dr. Bart Ehrman answers participant questions, adding clarity and depth to the course material. These Q&A sessions bring the dynamic, live experience to you, allowing you to explore topics in greater detail. This bonus offers a closer look at Bart’s expert responses to real questions, enriching your understanding and making your learning more interactive.

Value $90

Bonus #3

Audio Downloads

Enjoy the flexibility of learning wherever you are with our Audio Downloads. Perfect for listening while in the car, working out, or anytime you're on the move. Each lecture is available as an audio file, making it easy to continue your education no matter where life takes you.

Value $30

Bonus #4

FREE Lecture from "Luke's Maverick Gospel": Why You’ve Likely Misread the Gospel of Luke

For many, the Gospel of Luke feels familiar—a retelling of Jesus’ life with beloved additions like the Good Samaritan, the Prodigal Son, and the Rich Man and Lazarus. But what if that familiarity is exactly what’s hiding its most radical insights? Luke’s Gospel isn’t just “Mark with bonus stories.” It reimagines core elements of Jesus’ life and message in surprising ways: Jesus doesn’t die for sins? The apocalypse isn’t coming soon? Salvation comes through repentance—not sacrifice? These aren’t subtle tweaks. They represent profound theological reversals that challenge long-held assumptions about Jesus, the nature of God, and what it means to be “saved.”

Value $24.95

Bonus #5

Self-Assessment Quiz

Challenge yourself after completing your course with a customized quiz to the materials found in your "The Genius of the Gospel of Matthew" course. Turn passive learning into active learning and turn short-term memory into long-term memory with our multiple choice, self-assessment quiz.

Value $20

Bonus #6

Downloadable eBook

Enjoy the convenience of having the entire course in a PDF. Whether you prefer reading on your tablet, phone, or just want a printable copy to annotate and revisit, this downloadable eBook gives you complete access to the content anytime, anywhere. Perfect for reviewing at your own pace—even offline.

Value $20

From Course Participants

What Students Are Saying

This was a great introductory course to how scholars approach the Gospel of Matthew. I gained new insights into the Sermon on the Mount, the visit of the Magi, and Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus.

Jack LovettCourse Participant

See What Most Readers Miss in the Gospel of Matthew

8 comprehensive lectures, the Q&A recordings, audio downloads, and 6 bonus resources. Lifetime access.

Frequently Asked

Questions & Answers

Is this a LIVE course?

This 8 x 50-minute lecture webinar & 'Q & A' was recorded LIVE on Feb 3-4, 2024. If you purchase this lecture after the live lecture date, you will be watching a recorded event. Either way, you will have lifetime access to the lectures and Q&A sessions. You will also receive advanced notifications of new live lectures and online courses.

What is the Special Bundle Price?

The regular retail price for 8 individual lessons with Bart Ehrman would normally cost $119.60 at $14.95 per lecture. With the special bundle price you can enjoy lifetime access to all 8 lectures + bonuses for the special bundle price of $59.95. This course will also be available on BSA.

Are any other discounts available?

Yes, if you have purchased another course in the "How Scholars Read the Bible" series like "In the Beginning" or "Finding Moses," you should have received an email sent to you with a significant discount to purchase the course.

Do you offer a money-back guarantee?

Absolutely! If you don't love the seminar, send us an email and we will refund 100% of your investment. You will have 30 days from the date of the seminar.

Alternatively, this course is available through The Biblical Studies Academy (BSA), our premium membership and training community.

Backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee · Lifetime access to all course materials

$1 from your purchase is donated to charity: water.