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A Historical & Theological Background to Matthew

A Historical & Theological Background to Matthew. An Introduction to the Gospel. I. Historical Background. Author : Matthew the tax-collector and apostle, also known as Levi. Date : Sometime after 70 A.D. Place of Writing : Two possibilities: Antioch of Syria Palestine (Jerusalem?)

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A Historical & Theological Background to Matthew

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  1. A Historical & Theological Backgroundto Matthew An Introduction to the Gospel

  2. I. Historical Background • Author: Matthew the tax-collector and apostle, also known as Levi. • Date: Sometime after 70 A.D. • Place of Writing: Two possibilities: • Antioch of Syria • Palestine (Jerusalem?) • Purpose in Writing: To show Jesus as the fulfillment of the Old Testament Scriptures—He is the Messiah, the King. • Audience/Recipients: mostly Jewish

  3. II. Matthew’s Content • Matthew focuses on the Kingdom of God and Jesus as the King. • The Kingdom is for everyone—Jews and Gentiles. • Wise men are from the East—outsiders. • Jesus is the “son of David” (1:1) and therefore heir to the throne and Davidic covenant. • Matthew is organized around 5 speeches of Jesus. This reflects the first 5 books of the OT. • The gospel message is the new “law” or instruction for Christians.

  4. II. Matthew’s Content • More teaching than in other gospels. • Contains the most parables of any gospel • Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7). • There are more references to the Old Testament —this shows its strong Jewish nature. • Matthew begins with the genealogy of Jesus. • Birth information is exclusive to Matthew. • Focuses on Joseph’s perspective. • Notice the women mentioned in the list.

  5. II. Matthew’s Content • The name “Jesus” appears over 150 times in Matthew (more than the number of times in Mark and Luke combined). • In Matthew, Jesus’ identity is clearly seen (in Mark, it remains hidden). • Born “King of the Jews” (1:54) • The new Moses; he delivers God’s law (ch. 5). • The New Abraham—a blessing for the Gentiles. • The Lord (8:2, 6, 8, 21, 25) • The Teacher of the Law (8:19; 9:11; 12:38).

  6. III. Details Found Only in Matthew • The genealogy of Jesus (1:2-17) • Visit of the Magi (2:1-12) • The flight to Egypt and return (2:13-21) • Parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl (13:44-46) • Parable of the net (13:47-50) • The death of Judas (27:3-10) • The guards at the tomb of Jesus and their report (27:62-66; 28:16-20) • The Great Commission (28:16-20)

  7. IV. Key Themes in Matthew • 1. The “fulfillment” of OT (1:22-23; 2:15; 2:17-18). • 2. Mountains: they represent the presence of God, revelation and worship. • Final resistance to Satan is on a mountain (4:8) • Delivers the Sermon on the Mount (5:1) • Feeds the 5,000 (15:32) • Transfiguration on a mountain (17:1) • Commissions his disciples (28:16-20)

  8. IV. Key Themes in Matthew • 3. Jesus is worshipped in this gospel. • By the Magi (non-Jewish) 2:2, 11. • By the synagogue ruler (9:18) • By the disciples in the boat (14:33) • After the resurrection (28:9, 17) • 4. “Kingdom of heaven” occurs over 30 times. • 5. “Father”: term used over 50 times; this stresses the love of God. • “Church”: only gospel to use this word (16:16).

  9. IV. Key Themes in Matthew • 6. Righteousness / Justice (moral teaching). • Hunger and thirst for it (5:6) • It should be first priority (6:33) • Not to be paraded before others (6:1) • It must exceed that of the Pharisees (5:20) • 7. Immanuel: “God with us”—is especially important in Matthew. • At his birth (1:23) • Will be with his disciples always (28:20). • There is no ascension of Jesus at the end.

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