The Jewish Gospel
The name Matthew means 'gift of God'. Matthew was one of the disciples who traveled with Jesus. Before his call to follow Jesus, Matthew was a tax collector. His tax booth was located at Capernaum on the main north-south highway from Damascus to Egypt. Matthew's duty was to collect 'toll' or 'transport' taxes from locals carrying their goods to market as well as from long-distance caravans. Matthew's training as a tax collector would serve him well as one of the writers of Scripture. First, by training he would have been a meticulous record keeper. Secondly, he traveled with Jesus and was an eye-witness to Jesus ministry.
The Jewish People
Matthew writes his Gospel mainly to a Jewish audience. The Jewish people were interested in the Old Testament predictions concerning the Messiah. In Matthew's writings Jesus declared that twenty-one prophecies had been fulfilled. Matthew himself pointed out another twenty-one predictions fulfilled in the events of the life of Christ.
Second, Jews held the Law of Moses in great respect. They were concerned about the attitude of Jesus toward the Law. Matthew's Gospel contains many positive statements that Jesus made regarding the Law of Moses.
Third, every religious Jew knew that the Messiah had to come from the line of David. Matthew takes pains to trace the legal ancestry of Jesus (through Joseph his legal father) back to David.
Fourth, Jews were expecting God to establish a glorious kingdom on earth. Matthew mentioned the kingdom fifty-six times, more than any of the other three Gospels.
Eternal Purpose
The immediate purpose of the Gospel of Matthew is to provide a topical account of the life of Christ for the Jewish Christian community. The ultimate purpose of the book is to demonstrate that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah promised throughout the Old Testament.
Special Features
From the earliest days the Gospel of Matthew has been the most widely read and in some respects the most influential of the four Gospels.
Matthew contains the most complete record of what Jesus taught. Sixty percent of the Gospel of Matthew contain the spoken words of Jesus.
More than any of the other Gospels, Matthew quotes the Old Testament - at least fifty-seven times.
Matthew records ten parables not recorded in the other Gospels.
Matthew records three miracles not recorded elsewhere: the two blind men (9:27-31); the dumb demoniac (9:32-33); the coin in the fish's mouth (17:24-27).
Outline of Matthew's Gospel
* Preparation for the King (1:1-4:11)
* Principles of the King (4:12-7:29)
* Power of the King (8:1-10:42)
* Program of the King (11:1-13:52)
* Purpose of the King (13:53-18:35)
* Problems of the King (19:1-25:46)
* Passion of the King (26:1-28:20)
Question:
ReplyDeleteIn Matthew chapter 1 the genealogy of Jesus is listed. I know it differs from the genealogy listed in Luke 3 because one is Jesus' line through Joseph and the other is his line through Mary. However, in Matthew 1:17 it states that there were 14 generations in all from Abraham to David, 14 from David to the Babylonian exile, and 14 from the exile to Christ. No matter how I count the names listed in the Matthew genealogy, I never get exactly 14 in all 3 parts. I either have to count a name twice or leave a name out. Can you clarify?
Miriam
Miriam, did you ever get an answer? I'm looking for it...have a question myself, and am wondering where to find displayed answers. Kelly
ReplyDeleteMiriam, I remembered reading something in my commmentary about your question, so I looked it up. It says: "Matthew obviously did not list every individual in the genealogy between Abraham and David, between David and the Exile, and between the Exile and Jesus. Instead he listed only 14 generations in each of these time periods. Jewish reckoning did not require every name in order to satisfy a genealogy. Buy why did Matthew select 14 names in each period? Perhaps the best solution is that the name "David" in Hebrew numerology added up to 14. It should be noted that in the period from thh Exile to the birth of Jesus, 13 new names appeared. Many scholars feel that Jeconiah, though repeated from verse 11, provides the 14th name in his final period." This is taken from "The Bible Knowledge Commentary." I hope it helps you.
ReplyDeleteMy question is in regards to Matt 19:28. Just can't help but wonder about Judas' betrayal and yet there is still mention of the 12 sitting in their heavenly thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel. So, Judas is one of the 12 in heaven judging? Or did Jesus just say 12 because at this point in Matthew, Judas had not yet betrayed him and Jesus didn't want to raise any eyebrows? (I don't think it's the latter, cause He alwasy speaks the truth, even if they aren't ready to understand it.) But I'm curious about that and I can't find anything in my commentary about it or in other passages. Although in Rev. 4:4 it mentions 24 elders sitting on thrones....and in Rev. 20:4 it mentions those who had authority to judge, but doesn't give a number.... Any thoughts/answers out there?
ReplyDeleteThe number 12 is a perfect number, signifying perfection of government. When Jesus spoke of the 12 thrones, he was not necessarily speaking of 12 persons, but rather the 12 judicial positions of his perfect government in heaven. Judas, most would agree forfeited his position and will not be one of those who sits on these thrones of ruling. The 24 elders mentioned in Revelations would be the 24 persons who sit on these 12 thrones, 12 from the Old Testament and 12 from the new testament. Many believe the New Testamnt rulers would be 11 apostles minus Judas, and Paul whom the Lord chose to replace Judas. But then others bring up that the apostles chose Mattias and Barnabas. I think the number 12 should not be pressed as being defining and limiting to 12 persons. I think we should recognize the number 12 to represent God's perfect government in his Kingdom, and the number of people who sit on these thrones may be many times the number 12.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mike! Your answer is being stuck in my commentary! Now I've got probably a simpler question...Matt 22:14...Jesus is talking about the kingdom in heaven and at the end says "...MANY are invited, but few are chosen." It always bothers me that it doesn't say ALL are invited, instead. Comments? Hope you don't get tired of my questions...it may be a long 3 years...LOL...if it's not in my commentary, you're probably going to get asked... =)
ReplyDeleteJesus statement, "Many are invited, but few are chosen" is to be interpreted in light of the previous parable. The parable of a King preparing a wedding banquet was a familiar scene in Jesus day. When a king or very important person threw a banquet they would invite their guests and prepare a robe for them to wear. This the king does in Jesus parable. Remember that Jesus is using language that would relate to his listeners. As he began this parable they all related to the events. But Jesus gives a little twist in his parable.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, to reject a king's invitation would mean death. It would be a grave insult to reject such an invitation. In Jesus parable, the king doesn't kill those who reject his invitation; instead he sends his servants out a second time into the streets to gather "all" the people, the good and the bad. This is to be interperted that God's grace has been offered to all people, and that the invitation to the banquet is not based upon one's race, status, or morality; but God's offer to his eternal banquet is freely given to all.
In Jesus' parable a man has come to the banquet but he is not wearing the wedding robe. The message here is admission to the visible church is not all that is required. The door of God's salvation is open, but the door is not open for the sinner to come and remain a sinner (wearing his old garment). God's call is one of coming out of sin and living a life of righteousness and holiness. The Christian must cloth himself/herself in a new purity and a new holiness and a new goodness based upon the Word of God. There must be a transformation!
The man was thrown out because he did not have the wedding garment on. There are those who still seek entrance into God's Kingdom their way; but there is only one way, and that is God's way.
After telling the parable Jesus remarks that many were invited, but only some chose to accept the invitation to come. So it is with God's Kingdom.