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For Study, Prayer and Fellowship - 8:00 AM PDT 10/18/2025:
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Book of Matthew
One
10/18/2025
Introduction – The Book of Matthew is the first book of the New Testament. Matthew, whose name means, “gift of the Lord,” was a tax collector who left his work to follow Jesus. [Matt. 9:9-13] Note: Jesus commanded, “Follow me.” Matthew did so immediately. (Key) In the Books of Mark and Luke, Matthew is called Levi. We often hear the claim that Matthew was heavily dependent on Mark. Those who think this way discredit God who inspired all OT and NT writers; and diminishing Matthew’s authorship. This defies reason. (The 1890s gave rise to modernism and liberal theology (The Enlightenment) which tried to adapt Christianity to contemporary scientific and cultural ideas. This produced a counter-intellectual desire to return to traditional beliefs and biblical literalism.)
Matthew was bright enough to be a tax collector, heavily interfacing with Jewish and Roman individuals in an issue as complex as taxation. Matthew became one of the twelve apostles, going everywhere with Jesus. It is rational to ask why Matthew would have to rely on Mark. The most valid answer is that Matthew agreed with Mark and since he agreed with Mark’s narrative, he, Matthew, wanted to show unity of apostolic testimony. We note the concept of ‘higher criticism’ which brings a rich layer of understanding to biblical texts by examining their historical and cultural contexts, authorship questions, and compositional techniques. This approach allows for a nuanced interpretation of scripture and acknowledges the diverse circumstances under which different books of the Bible were written. Timothy guides our thinking here, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, and that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. [2 Tim. 3:16-17]
Some have argued that because of Matthew’s treatment of the Jewish characteristics he most likely wrote the book in the early part of 50 A.D. During this period the gospel was preached to Jews only [Acts 11:19]. However, those calling for a later date base their conclusion on the assumption that Luke and Matthew heavily relied upon Mark. Experts finally conclude Mattew was written in the late 50s or early 60s A.D. Yet other scholars continue to place Mark between 65 and 70 A.D. which would push Matthew, if relying on Mark, to the 70s or later. We should advocate for an earlier date.
There is also a dispute as to whether it was written in the Holy land or in Syrian Antioch where Matthew died. An aside, St. Matthew died in Syria. His followers, escaping from Rome’s persecutions, brought the relics of the Apostle to the land now known as Kyrgyzstan. The sanctity was kept in an abbey (known as Issicol), located on a beach of Lake Issyk-Kul. All the Christian world knew this. This information is reaffirmed based on recent findings of an underwater exploration of an ancient community now at the bottom of the northeast corner of Lake Issyk Kul. (The shallow end.) At the time of the existence of this community the lake was 26 ft. lower.
The Gospel is written in Greek, indicating the readers were Greek which would include Greek speaking Jews. Matthew was concerned with the fulfillment of the OT. He has more quotes from the OT than any other NT writer. He traces Jesus’ descent from Abraham [Matt. 1:1-17]. Note, he spends much less time explaining Jewish custom, but he uses numerous Jewish terms. He also introduces us to the Magi (non-Jews) [Matt. 2:1-12]; he states the “field is the world” [Matt. 13:38] and introduces us to a full statement of the Great Commission [Matt. 28:18-20].
Matthew’s main purpose was to write what God inspired, which was to prove to his Jewish readers that Jesus is their Messiah. He does this by showing how Jesus in His life and ministry fulfilled the OT Scriptures. Although all Gospel writers quote the OT, Matthew includes nine texts unique to his Gospel; [1:22-23; 2:15; 2:17-18; 2:23; 4:14-16; 8:17; 12:17-21; 13:35; 27:9-10] to cement the basic theme: Jesus is the fulfillment of the OT foretelling of the Messiah. Matthew also refers to the history of God’s people in the OT as having importance in Jesus’ life such as [Hos. 11:1] in [2:15]
The material is presented in a Hebrew manner and is woven around five great discourses. This was deliberate because each discourse concludes with authority; “When Jesus had finished saying these things …” The Beatitudes [5-7; 7:28]; Jesus Sends Out the Twelve [10; 11:1]; The Parable of the Sower [13; 13:53]; The Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven [18; 19:1]; and Signs of the End of the Age [24-25; 26:1] Matthew has a great prologue, Jesus’ genealogy and birth and the visit by the Magi. [1-2] He concludes with what may have the greatest challenge to all Christians in his epilogue, The Great Commission. [28:16-20]
The beginning: Before ascending to heaven, Jesus commissioned His disciples: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation … ” [Mark 16:15]. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (The birth of Christianity) served as the divine equipping of the disciples with what was needed to carry out this mission. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” [Acts 1:8] That empowerment explains why, following Pentecost, the disciples displayed boldness and miraculous effectiveness in proclaiming the risen Christ.
A new age had begun in which the living God was going to do new things in the world. The followers of Jesus said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?’ Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized … receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off – for all whom the Lord our God will call.” [Acts 2:38-39] The call was for everyone. (Jew, Gentile) Thus the young movement quickly spread throughout the known world. One of the ways that the everyone promise worked out was through the writings of some of the early Christian leaders. Hence the NT. Some were short letters or stories about Jesus; and they were copied, widely circulated and eagerly read. They were never intended to be religious or specifically intended for the elite. They were for everyone, then and now! Matthew’s gospel presents Jesus in a rich many-faceted way. Jesus appears as the Messiah of Israel, the king who will rule and save the world. Matthew portrays Him as the greatest teacher and the one who gives His life for all of us. Matthew lays it all before us – step by step and invites us to learn the wisdom of the gospel message.
[Matt. 1:1-17] – Jesus’ Genealogy – Tracing one’s family pedigree in most societies is hugely important. It provides a sense of identity. It may seem strange, but as we begin the NT we read a single sentence and then are confronted with 16 verses of names of people, many are folks we have never heard of and we find we may not be able to pronounce. In Matthew’s day this genealogy would be viewed as impressive and our eagerness would build as we anticipated whose name would be the last. Most Jews could start with Abraham, but few would also be able to claim David and fewer still could claim Solomon. This level of purity is indeed rare. Herod the Great, whom we shall soon meet had no royal blood. He was simply an opportunistic military commander. The Romans made him king to solidify their control over the area. Those realities made Jesus (true royalty) a great danger to Herod. Additionally, Matthew wants to show that Jesus was not merely a member He was the goal. Matthew arranges the names in 3 groups of 14 or 6 groups of 7. Seven is a very symbolic number. Jesus was the seventh seven and He is what the Jews had been waiting for, for 2,000 years. God made promises to Abraham (the nations would be blessed); David was a great king and was promised (future lordship over the entire world); The Babylonian exile made it seem those promises were forever lost due to Israel’s sins and God’s judgement. However, the prophets of the exile promised restoration of Abraham’s people and David’s royal line. The Jews were living under pagans – waiting. Matthew now says, this is the time! More importantly, the one at the end is God’s anointed, long-awaited Messiah, fulfilling all the prophecies. WOW!
Matthew also knows all that happened was strange. He will tell the story of a strange conception by the Holy Spirit. He will tell of all the prior strangeness in the royal family: Judah and his daughter-in-law Tamar; Boaz son of Rahab; and David’s adultery with the wife of Uriah. God seemed to be saying if you think that was bizarre – watch this! This book is first for a reason – there are stories wrapped in stories of the mysterious ways God has worked with His chosen people. We have the fulfilment of 2000 years of promises and purposes and now something strangely new and different. God still works that way today, keeping promises, acting in character and yet ready to grant further surprises to those who trust Him. AMEN
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