Introduction to The Gospel of Matthew

Introduction to The Gospel of Matthew

Why look at Matthew s Gospel? Because: 1. It s in the Bible! 2. It shows us who Jesus is 3. It tells us things about the life and ministry of Jesus not found elsewhere 4. It contains some of the greatest teaching of Jesus 5. You might just experience the Matthew Effect getting more

What is a Gospel? Gospel = euangelion = good / important news Good news about Jesus Christ (Mark 1:1) Good news about the kingdom of God (Mark 1:15) or kingdom of heaven (Matt 3:1; 4:17)

What are the NT Gospels? The Gospels are a unique kind of literature Biographies accounts of Jesus life Narratives accounts of Jesus ministry what he said and did Sermons calling people to faith BUT not complete and detailed accounts (cf. Jn 20:30-31; 21:25)

Why Were the Gospels Written? 1. To show God s purposes being worked out in and through Jesus 2. To record the facts while still verifiable 3. To help spread the gospel

The Spread of the Gospel

Why Were the Gospels Written? 1. To show God s purposes being worked out, in and through Jesus 2. To record the facts while still verifiable 3. To help spread the gospel 4. To instruct new believers 5. For each author s specific purpose e.g. Mark 1:1; Luke 1:1-4; John 20:31; Matt 1:1; 28:19-20 Christianity 101 The Story of Jesus the Christ According to Matthew According to Mark According to Luke According to John

The Author of Matthew s Gospels All the Gospels are anonymous! The first Gospel has been traditionally attributed to Matthew, the tax collector (Matt 10:3; cf. 9:9) Papias (130AD) Irenaeus (175AD) The Bible Matthew (Matt 10:3 cf. 9:9) Levi the Son of Alphaeus (Mark 2:14) Levi (Luke 5:27) Matthew Levi

The Original Readers & Purpose Suggestions Written to and for the Church: For use in church services? As a manual of instruction? A commentary on the OT? A biography from a Jewish perspective? As an encouragement to strengthen Jewish Christians? Primary Purposes i. To prove that Jesus is the Messiah ii. To preserve the record of Jesus words

Interesting Features The pivotal role of 4:17 and 16:21 4:17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near 16:21 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life

Interesting Features Groupings of people, parables, commands, lists, prohibitions, woes, miracles, discourses, questions, objects, etc. in 2s, 3s, 5s & 7s 2 demoniacs, 2 blind men, 2 sons, 2 false witnesses, 2 commands, 2 men in a field, 2 masters, 2 agree 3 genealogical sections, 3 examples of righteous conduct, 3 prohibitions, 3 healing miracles, 3 denials, 3 questions 5 discourses, 5 illustrations of fulfilling the law 7 demons, 7 kingdom parables, 7 woes, 70x7 forgiveness, 7 brothers, 7 loaves, 7 baskets

Interesting Features The five major teaching sections concluding with: When Jesus had finished saying these things (7:18; 11:1; 13:53; 19:1; 26:1) Five Main Sermons of Jesus

Matthew s Sermons 1. Jesus Authority 5:3-7:27 - Sermon on the Mount (Jesus authoritative teaching) 8-9 - 10 miracle stories demonstrating authority in that realm too 2. Expect Hostilities 10:5-42 - Sermon : Instructions to 12 Disciples (coming hostilities) 11-12 - Jesus and his disciples begin to experience animosity 3. Polarisation of People 13:3-52 - Sermon : Parables of the Kingdom (separate insiders and outsiders ) 13-15 - Rejection by Jews, Ministry to Gentiles 4. Following Jesus 16-17 - The implications of discipleship 18:3-35 - Sermon : Life in the Kingdom (foundations for church) 5. God s Judgement 19-22 - Warnings about coming judgement 23:2-25:46 - Sermon : End of the Ages (unbelief will be judged)

1:1-2:23 3:1-4:16 Jesus Origins Preparation for Ministry Outline of Matthew Introduction to Jesus Ministry 4:17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near 4:17-9:35 Authority in Preaching & Healing 9:36-12:50 Rising Opposition 13:1-16:20 Polarised Responses to Jesus The Development of Jesus Ministry 16:21 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life The Climax of Jesus Ministry 16:21-18:35 Focus on Pending Death 19:1-25:46 Road to Jerusalem 26:1-28:20 Ultimate Destiny

A Summary of Matthew s Gospel Matthew was writing to show his audience (primarily Jewish ) that Jesus was the fulfilment of God s promises to Israel, that he was the promised Messiah and Redeemer. But God s promises to Abraham (Gen 12:1-3) also included blessings upon all the nations, so Matthew also shows that Jesus is the Saviour of the world as well as being the Saviour of Israel.

So What? We can be encouraged that God has a plan and that it will be fulfilled. We can know and understand that plan, which involves making disciples and teaching God s plan to others. We can learn how to remain faithful to our ever faithful God