G E T T I N G T O K N O W T H E B O O K
INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY OF prophet….” Jesus underlines the Torah
Matthew
with emphatic, yet puzzling, words: “Till
heaven and earth pass away, one jot or
one tittle will by no means pass from the
law till all is fulfilled” (5:18).
Matthew is one of the most read and beloved books in the In dozens of ways, Matthew assures
Bible. It leads off and sets the theme for the New Testament — Jewish Christians that acceptance of Jesus
a good reason to soak up its truths. as Messiah did not mean repudiation of
their former faith. Instead, Christ was the
What is it? First book in the New Testament and first of the goal toward which the Old Scriptures
four Gospels, reporting Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. always pointed!
Why first? Because it relates closely to the Old Testament it fol- What is Matthew’s major theme?
lows; or because of the tradition that it was written first in Easy: the kingdom of heaven, in Christ’s
Hebrew; or because of the weight of its influence; or because it words (4:17). It was John the Baptist’s
has more chapters…. theme (3:2) and that of the twelve disci-
How long? 28 chapters — tied with Acts for most in New ples (10:7). For Jesus, the kingdom was
Testament. But neither book is longest. Luke has more words the gospel (9:35). It was yet to come
than either Matthew or Acts. (6:10; 26:29), yet had already come upon
those who experienced Christ’s power
Who wrote it? Matthew, tax collector turned disciple; also over evil by the Spirit (12:28; 11:11, 12).
called Levi. In modest autobiography, he writes his calling, con- Faith (8:10, 11) and repentance (4:17) are
version, and celebration with Christ and others (9:9-17). His first the keys to this kingdom (16:19). It would
career shows through in his book: accounting precious gifts of be taken from the Jewish elite (8:12;
the wise men (2:11); telling of the Temple tax (17:24-27); relat- 21:43) and given to those bearing its fruit
ing Jesus’ teaching about riches (19:16-30); and many other ref- (7:20, 21). A sign of the end of the age
erences to money. will be preaching of this kingdom in all
Its content? The words of Christ. To learn what Jesus taught, the world (24:14).
read the Gospel of the red letter: Matthew. It contains 10 per- The Sermon on the Mount (5-7) is a
cent more words of Jesus than Luke, 50 percent more than John, declaration of kingdom principles; the
and 120 percent more than Mark! word kingdom is used nine times. The
Matthew reports five major talks from the Lord: Beatitudes (5:3-12) are actually “kingdom
• Matthew 5-7 – Sermon on the Mount attitudes.” The sermon outlines ideal
• Matthew 10 – instruction to the disciples behavior for followers of Jesus — citizens
• Matthew 13 – parables of the kingdom of His kingdom. In a central text, the
• Matthew 18 – on humility and forgiveness Lord says those who seek first the king-
• Matthew 24, 25 – Olivet Discourse (on prophecy) dom and God’s righteousness will have
their earthly needs provided (6:33).
Each of these five sermons is followed with words like “Now it
came to pass, when Jesus had finished these sayings….” Most of Jesus’ parables in Matthew
are kingdom stories, beginning “The
kingdom of heaven is like….” Communi-
Why did Matthew write? As an evan- Testament is implied: Jesus has become cating both clarity and mystery, these
gelist to the Jews, he wrote good news the new Moses; the Sermon on the parables teach kingdom methods, king-
about Jesus, the Hebrew Messiah. Mount takes the authority of Mt. Sinai; dom progress, kingdom values, and the
Matthew writes more Old Testament and the kingdom of God is called “king- final kingdom separation. Seven of these
than any other New Testament writer dom of heaven” as a concession to Jews parables are in chapter 13.
(possible exception: Revelation). Some of who avoided the name of Jehovah in
Is Matthew truly good news?
this is explicit, like tracing Jesus’ ancestry common usage.
• Jesus, God with us, will save His people
to Abraham, father of the Jews (1:1-17), About 100 Old Testament quotes may from their sins (1:21, 23);
the eight references to Jesus as son of be found in Matthew. Many are intro- • God comforts and rewards those who
David, and the exclusive mission to Israel duced with the formula “that it might be humbly mourn and confess spiritual
(10:5, 6; 15:24). Some of the Old fulfilled which was spoken by the poverty (5:3-5);
2 Bible Advocate
(all numbers in parentheses list a chapter and verse in the book of Matthew)
• Sins are forgiven, kingdom is promised, • is about as long as Luke, with similar Matthew in one sentence: Jesus is
in recognition of faith (8:11; 9:2); words from Christ. Matthew chooses the Messiah-King in whom Jewish
• Jesus says “every sin and blasphemy parables and stories especially for Jews; prophecy is fulfilled and through
will be forgiven men . . .” (12:31); Luke writes for everyone. whom the kingdom of heaven comes
• Parable of vineyard workers receiving • feels most unlike John. Matthew’s near!
equal wage shows God’s generosity (eter- focus is historical, from Galilee; John’s is
nal life) to all who serve Him (20:1-16); theological, from Judea and Jerusalem.
• The life and blood of the Lord are a Jesus’ words against Jewish leaders (23);
Without Matthew, we wouldn’t … • learn that Pilate washed his hands to
ransom to many, for remission of sins
• know of Jesus’ childhood visit from the escape guilt for Jesus’ death (26);
(20:28; 26:28).
wise men or His trip to Egypt (2); • know the Jews set a watch to secure
Matthew’s Q & A: • have nine Beatitudes and other sayings the tomb (27, 28).
First question: “Where is He who has in the Sermon on the Mount (5-7); The other Gospel writers do not mention
been born King of the Jews?”(2:2). Last • know three days and nights in the these.
words answer: “Lo, I am with you always, tomb are in the sign of the prophet
even to the end of the age” (28:20). Jonah (12); Jesus and the church
Among the Gospels, Matthew … • have the parables of tares (13), of the Only Matthew records Jesus using the
• sounds like Mark (only 55 verses of unforgiving servant (18), of vineyard word church (KJV) twice. First, the “uni-
Mark are not in Matthew). Matthew is wages (20), of two sons (21), of ten vir- versal” church: what Christ is building on
longer than Mark: more words of Christ gins (25), of sheep and goats (25); the rock of Peter’s confession (16:18).
and more Old Testament quotes. • know the extent and vehemence of Second, the “local“ church: whom we tell
after a brother has sinned against us and
refuses proper correction (18:17).
The greatest Gospel?
Confirmation of truth: Jesus predicted
Matthew records great elements of our faith:
“My words will by no means pass away”
• the Great Confession: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (16:16);
(24:35). Two thousand years later, the
• the Great Invitation: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I
Book still stands! How did Jesus know
will give you rest” (11:28); this, unless He was related to God in a
• the Great Commandment: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, way no others are (11:27)?
with all your soul, and with all your mind” (22:37);
• the Greatest Sermon: “Blessed are the poor in spirit …” (5, 6, 7); Complete these verses from Jesus’
• the Great Commission: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations …” sermon:
(28:19, 20). “Let your light so shine …” (5:16).
“But if you do not forgive men their
Matthew reveals the greatness of our Lord, Jesus Christ: trespasses,…” (6:15).
• Wise men rejoiced with exceeding great joy when He was born (2:10); “For where your treasure is,…” (6:21).
• He brought great light to those who sat in darkness (4:16); “No one can serve …” (6:24).
• If our eye doesn’t focus on His light, we’re in great darkness (6:23); “But seek first …” (6:33).
• If we don’t build on His teachings, our fall will be great (7:27); “Therefore, whatever you want men
• He turned a great tempest into a great calm, with only a word (8:24, 26); to do …” (7:12).
• He is greater than Solomon in all his glory and wisdom (12:42); “Not everyone who says to Me,…” (7:21).
• He is greater than the temple Solomon built (12:6);
Questions for readers:
• He is greater than Jonah (12:41);
Personal: Of the four Gospels, why is
• Women ran with great joy from His empty tomb to tell others (28:8). Matthew your favorite?
Matthew also tells about great people: Practical: “Give to him who asks you”
• A Canaanite woman who persisted in worship and prayer was said to have (5:42). Does this have limits?
“great faith” (15:28); Doctrinal: What did Jesus mean by the
• Those who do and teach the least of His commandments “shall be called great statement in 16:28?
in the kingdom of heaven” (5:19); (Several brief answers will be published.
• Whoever humbles himself as a child “is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” Send yours by fax, e-mail, or traditional
(18:4); mail. See masthead for addresses.)
• Those who are servants have become the greatest among us (23:11). Next month: Deuteronomy
January-February 1998 3