An Introduction
el a ccording to
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G
t. M a tthew
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long-awaited Savior (Messiah).
The author also presents Christ
M
atthew was one of as Abraham’s promised ‘heir’
Jesus Christ’s twelve by listing his genealogy. As this
disciples. He was also gospel account was primarily
a tax collector for the Roman addressed to the Jews, it shows
administration and was stationed Christ coming in the line of
in Capernaum. Mark’s gospel Abraham from the tribe of Judah.
identifies him as a Levite. He further shows Christ to be the
The Roman rule crushed the fulfillment of Jewish expectations
people under heavy tax burdens. by referring to many prophetic
The public hated the tax collectors utterances in the Old Testament.
and considered them sinners. As one illustration, he shows
That God chose Matthew, whose Christ as the fulfillment of Isaiah’s
name means ‘God’s gift’ for His prophecy about the one who
rescue mission is too wonderful. prepares the way of the Lord.
We find it even more surprising As the Old Testament teaching
that he instantly obeyed Jesus’ call is given a fuller expression in
and honored Him by throwing a His words, he presents that the
dinner at his house. (Mat 9:9) Lawgiver has revealed Himself in
Jesus.
This gospel account, believed to
have been written between BC Towards the end of his account,
58 and 68, identifies Jesus Christ he shows Christ inviting all those
as the King of the Jews and the seeking rest. This is indeed unique
1
and finds no mention in other (Ch 18), the Kingdom way (Ch
gospel accounts. 18, 19), and finally the Olivetan
He records Christ’s baptism in discourse giving the signs and
the Jordan River as the Son of warnings about His coming again
Man, the Holy Spirit descending (Ch 24, 25).
on Him, and God’s testimony of Ahead of His teaching on God’s
Him as His beloved Son. He then kingdom through parables, He
records Jesus Christ’s victory over also clarifies that He is greater than
Satan in the wilderness trial. He the Jerusalem temple, the Lord of
moves on to the Sermon on the the Sabbath, victor over the enemy
Mount, and then on to the many (greater than the devil), greater
signs and wonders he performed. than Jonah who was in the fish’s
Five of Jesus Christ’s sermons are belly for three days, greater than
given in this book. We need to Solomon the wise, the one before
imbibe the qualifying attributes David (12:43) and the brother to
of the citizens under God’s rule, those who do the Father’s will.
as given in the sermon by the The teaching about God’s kingdom
seashore (Ch 5-7) or the sermon using parables in chapter 13 is a
on the mount. They are also very special feature of this book.
shown to be the character of the Jesus spoke of this on the Galilean
blessed. When Jesus presents the seashore. Here he brings out the
law in a new light with the words, delicate message about His rule
“but I tell you,” it shows both using ‘Nature’ for its simplicity. He
beauty and an expectation of our speaks of the hardships for those
obedience to God. who receive God’s Word and the
Every believer should also pay devil’s deceit in this. He also
special attention to His instructions talks of worldly anxieties, vain
while sending out the disciples on philosophies, and trials of faith
His mission (Ch 10), the teaching for the one who would enter God’s
on God’s kingdom using parables kingdom. But the overcomers will
bear fruit.
2
He then explains that the one who Jesus then speaks of building His
sowed the good seed is the Son of Church and about the members
Man. The good seed stands for the who shall be His disciples. He
people of the kingdom who fall tells them that he must go to
to the ground, die, and find the Jerusalem and suffer many things
reward of their souls. The weeds are at the hands of the elders, the chief
the people of the evil one, and the priests, and the teachers of the law,
enemy who sows them is the devil. and that he must be killed and on
They will be pulled up and burned the third day be raised to life.
in the fire at the harvest, which is
the end of the age. (13:37-43) In Chapter 17, we find Jesus
Christ in all His Kingdom glory,
That the Kingdom of God will showing Himself to be the Son of
grow and be established is given God, as He was transfigured right
by the parable of the mustard before their eyes. Beginning with
seed. How a small seed sprouts Chapter 18, calling the work of
and grows to be a tree shows the His Kingdom desirable, He also
extension of God’s kingdom as speaks on divorce. Again, He
a reminder of Daniel’s prophecy speaks of His suffering, death,
(Dan 2:35, 44, 45; 7:27). The glory and resurrection. Then he takes
of participating in God’s Kingdom on a peace march to Jerusalem.
is highlighted in the parable of the
He underscores this by going on
hidden treasure. It is worth all
a donkey, unlike the Kings who
that a person may give for it. And
go on horses, demonstrating
then He reiterates the coming
judgment of the weeds, when
speaking out the parable of the
fishing net.
He then records the many
miracles that Jesus performed,
including His walking on the
water. He records the turning
point of His ministry in Chapter
16. When Jesus had come to
the region of Caesarea Philippi,
Simon Peter declared of him, “You
are the Messiah, the Son of the
living God,” having received that
revelation from God the Father.
3
their power. This also shows that of the Kingdom will reach the
David’s rule is about God’s rule ends of the world and then the
and not intended to overthrow end will come. It is here he asks
the Roman rule, as most of them not to be alarmed, anxious, afraid,
anticipated. or deceived, but to be watchful
We need to always remember and ready.
the stinging ‘seven woes’ spoken The turn of events is quick from
by our Lord harshly and directly. here onwards. We read of those
This teaching in Chapter 23 is a plotting his murder, the anointing
warning not to speak one way of Jesus at Bethany by a woman
and live another way. In Chapter in preparation for his burial, and
24, we hear Him in the Olive Jesus’s last supper with his disciples
grove, speak of His coming and in in the upper room. Then Jesus’
Chapter 25, we have His teaching arrest, trial, Peter’s denial, Judas’
on the Kingdom Stewardship. suicide, crucifixion, resurrection,
As to the signs of His coming, and the great commission of our
He starts with war escalations Lord bring this to a finish.
on the world stage, racial unrest The Gospel is the good news of
in many regions, civil strife, God’s Kingdom. The one with all
ethnic conflicts, and increasing authority, the Lord of the universe,
occurrences of earthquakes, is indeed the one who is sending
famines, and pandemics. All these forth his messengers with His
are the beginning of birth pains. authority. And His presence as
He then states that the good news Immanuel is His guarantee to them.
Period : Gospel of Matthew
4 BC - 33 AD Jesus Christ the author
King of the Jews 1:1-11 Rejection of the King 11:1 - 28:20
Preparation Presentation Proving Beginning Appointment King's Crowning
for the King of the King of the King of the of the King's announcement of the
1 - 4:11 4:12 - 7:29 8:1 - 11:1 rejection disciples and the people's King
11:2 - 16:12 16:13 - 20:28 rejection 28:1 - 28:20
20:29 - 27:66
Teaching of the King Topic Disciple's training (the sequel of events)
(on many topics)
Bethlehem & Galilee Place Judea
Nazareth
The record that bridges the Old Testament and the New Testament books.
