Besides those 17 references to God as ‘Father’ embedded in the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew also made 17 references to Jesus as ‘the Christ‘ in his gospel. Unsurprisingly, the seventh reference is Simon’s confession of Peter as ‘the Christ’, an occasion that results in his being given the name ‘Peter’.

1. Matthew 1:1 NKJV — The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham
2. Matthew 1:16 NKJV — And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ.
3. Matthew 1:17 NKJV — 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.
4. Matthew 1:18 NKJV — Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.
5. Matthew 2:4 NKJV— And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
6. Matthew 11:2 NKJV — And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples
7. Matthew 16:16 NKJV — Simon Peter answered and said, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’
8. Matthew 16:20 NKJV — Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ.
9. Matthew 22:42 NKJV — ‘What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?’ They said to Him, ‘The Son of David.’
10. Matthew 23:8 NKJV — But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren.
11. Matthew 23:10 NKJV — And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ.
12. Matthew 24:5 NKJV — For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.
13. Matthew 24:23 NKJV — Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it.
14. Matthew 26:63 NKJV — But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, ‘I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!’
15. Matthew 26:68 NKJV —  ‘Prophesy to us, Christ! Who is the one who struck You?’
16. Matthew 27:17 NKJV — Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, ‘Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?’
17. Matthew 27:22 NKJV — Pilate said to them, ‘What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?’ They all said to him, ‘Let Him be crucified!’