"THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW"

Introduction

The book of Matthew has always occupied a position of high esteem in the faith and life of the church:

"When we turn to Matthew, we turn to the book which may well be called the most important single document of the Christian faith, for in it we have the fullest and the most systematic account of the life and the teachings of Jesus." (William Barclay)

The writings of the early church fathers reveal that it was the most frequently quoted and perhaps the most widely read gospel during the first two centuries of the church's history.

AUTHOR

The apostolic origin and canonical rank of the gospel of Matthew were accepted without a doubt by the early church (ISBE). Matthew, surnamed Levi, had been a tax-collector, one of Jesus' earliest disciples (Mt 9:9; Mk 2:14). He was chosen to be one of the twelve apostles (Mt 10:2-3). A close associate of Jesus during His ministry, Matthew's gospel is a first hand account, unlike Luke who depended upon other eyewitnesses (Lk 1:1-4).

DATE

Irenaeus says it was written when Peter and Paul were preaching in Rome (Against Heresies 3.1.1). Eusebius states that this was done when Matthew left Palestine and went to preach to others (Historia Ecclesiastica, III, 24). Clement of Alexandria said that the presbyters who succeeded each other from the beginning declared that "the gospels containing the genealogies (Matthew and Luke) were written first" (Eusebius, Historia Ecclesiastica, VI, 14). It is traditionally dated in the late 50s or early 60s A.D.

THEME

The gospel appears written to Jews, designed to prove that Jesus is the Messianic king of Old Testament (OT) prophecy. This is evidenced by Matthew's frequent appeal to OT Messianic prophecies. He quotes from almost every book in the OT, and twelve times he identifies OT prophecies as fulfilled in the life of Jesus (Mt 1:22; 2:15,23; 4:14; 5:17; 8:17; 12:17; 13:14,35; 21:4; 27:9). One could therefore say that the theme is:

Jesus, the King of the Jews

SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS

It is a Jewish gospel. We've noted its frequent appeal to OT prophecies. It's organization is mostly topical, as opposed to strictly chronological (a common style in Jewish literature). Thus it appears to have been written with a Jewish audience in mind.

It is an ecclesiastical gospel. It is the only gospel which mentions the word "church". It foretells its beginning (Mt 16:18), and describes some of the life in the church (Mt 18:15-17). It contains lengthy discourses especially beneficial to those in the church, such as the sermon on the mount (Mt 5-7), the many parables (Mt 13), and the Olivet discourse (Mt 24-25). It contains admonitions important to disciples of Christ, such as the importance of doing the Father's will (Mt 7:21-23) and observing all that Jesus commanded (Mt 28:20). In other words, this was a gospel designed for use by those in the early church.

It is an evangelistic gospel. It is a preaching gospel, especially when compared with the apostles' preaching found in Acts. It expands upon the basic elements and points made in their sermons. Consider these themes in apostolic preaching:

• God's promises in the OT have been fulfilled - Ac 3:18,24
• The long-awaited Messiah, born of David's line, has come - Ac 13:23
• He is Jesus of Nazareth - Ac 13:23
• He went about preaching and doing good through mighty works - Ac 10:38
• He was crucified according to the promise and will of God - Ac 2:22,23
• He was raised from the dead, and exalted at God's right hand - Ac 2:24,32-33
• He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead - Ac 3:20-21; 17:30-31
• Therefore, all should heed His message, repent, and be baptized - Ac 2:36-38

All of these points are expanded upon in the gospel of Matthew.

OUTLINE

(adapted from The Wycliffe Bible Commentary)

1. The birth and childhood of Jesus - Mt 1:1-2:23
1. Genealogy of Christ - Mt 1:1-17
2. Birth of Christ - Mt 1:18-25
3. Visit of the Magi - Mt 2:1-12
4. Flight into Egypt and massacre of the infants - Mt 2:13-18
5. Residence at Nazareth - Mt 2:19-23
2. The preparation for the ministry of Jesus - Mt 3:1-4:11
1. The forerunner of Christ - Mt 3:1-12
2. Baptism of Christ - Mt 3:13-17
3. Temptation of Christ - Mt 4:1-11
3. The ministry of Jesus in Galilee - Mt 4:12-18:35
1. Residence at Capernaum - Mt 4:12-17
2. Call of four disciples - Mt 4:18-22
3. General survey of the Galilean ministry - Mt 4:23-25
4. Sermon on the mount - Mt 5:1-7:29
5. Ten miracles and related events - Mt 8:1-9:38
6. Mission of the twelve - Mt 10:1-42
7. Christ's answer to John, and related discourse - Mt 11:1-30
8. Opposition from the Pharisees - Mt 12:1-50
9. A series of parables on the kingdom - Mt 13:1-58
10. Withdrawal of Jesus following John's beheading - Mt 14:1-36
11. Conflict with the Pharisees over tradition - Mt 15:1-20
12. Withdrawal to Phoenecia and healing of a Canaanitish woman's daughter - Mt 15:21-28
13. Return to the Sea of Galilee and performing of miracles - Mt 15:29-38
14. Renewed conflict with the Pharisees and Sadducees - Mt 15:39-16:4
15. Withdrawal to the region of Caesarea Philippi - Mt 16:5-17:23
16. Instruction of the twelve at Capernaum - Mt 17:24-18:35
4. The ministry of Jesus in Perea - Mt 19:1-20:16
1. Teaching on divorce - Mt 19:1-12
2. Blessing of the children - Mt 19:13-15
3. Interview with the rich young man - Mt 19:16-30
4. Parable of the laborers in the vineyard - Mt 20:1-16
5. The ministry of Jesus in Judea - Mt 20:17-34
1. Another prediction of Christ's death and resurrection - Mt 20:17-19
2. Ambitious request of Zebedee's sons - Mt 20:20-28
3. Healing of two blind men - Mt 20:29-34
6. The ministry of Jesus in Jerusalem - Mt 21:1-25:46
1. Triumphal entry - Mt 21:1-11
2. Cleansing the Temple - Mt 21:12-17
3. Cursing of the barren fig tree - Mt 21:18-22
4. Questioning of Jesus' authority and his parabolic answer - Mt 21:23-22:14
5. Questioning of Jesus by various groups - Mt 22:15-46
6. Jesus' public denunciation of the Pharisees - Mt 23:1-39
7. Olivet Discourse - Mt 24:1-25:46
7. The suffering of Jesus - Mt 26:1-27:66
1. Plot against Jesus - Mt 26:1-16
2. The final meal - Mt 26:17-30
3. Prediction of Peter's denial - Mt 26:31-35
4. Events in Gethsemane - Mt 26:36-56
5. Events at the Jewish trials - Mt 26:57-27:2
6. Remorse of Judas - Mt 27:3-10
7. Events at the Roman trials - Mt 27:11-31
8. The Crucifixion - Mt 27:32-56
9. Burial - Mt 27:32-56
8. The resurrection of Jesus - Mt 28:1-20
1. Discovery of the empty tomb - Mt 28:1-8
2. Appearance of Jesus Christ - Mt 28:9,10
3. Report of the soldiers - Mt 28:11-15
4. The great commission - Mt 28:16-20

REVIEW QUESTIONS

1. Who authored the book of Matthew?
   - Matthew, also called Levi
   - An early disciple, and an apostle of Jesus Christ
2. Approximately when was the book written?
   - The late 50s or early 60s A.D.
3. What has been suggested as the theme of Matthew's gospel?
   - Jesus, the King of the Jews
4. What three characteristics of the gospel were noted in the introduction?
   - It is a Jewish gospel
   - It is an ecclesiastical gospel
   - It is an evangelistic gospel
5. List the eight sections of the gospel as indicated in the outline
   - The birth and childhood of Jesus
   - The preparation for the ministry of Jesus
   - The ministry of Jesus in Galilee
   - The ministry of Jesus in Perea
   - The ministry of Jesus in Judea
   - The ministry of Jesus in Jerusalem
   - The suffering of Jesus
   - The resurrection of Jesus