I’ve started my annual reading of the gospels with Matthew. I want to share with you a series of letters I sent my cousin Bill in March of 2018 about my study of the book of Matthew that I think will be good background information for my readers. The word gospel means “good news”. God wants us to know His salvation plan for man which is contained in the gospels.
MATTHEW:
Writer – The Apostle Matthew, an eyewitness to the life and miracles of Jesus. Matthew was originally a tax collector so he was literate and was skilled at writing. Matthew’s original name was Levi. Matthew means “gift of God”.
When – Matthew was written after the gospel of Mark and may have used the gospel of Mark to assist in writing his gospel. Matthew was written around the time the gospel of Luke was written. Matthew was written some time between 55 AD to 80 AD.
Language – Written in Hebrew.
Audience – Written to and for the Jews to convince them that Jesus was the predicted Messiah.
Where – Palestine.
Type – Synoptic gospel; which means it focused on the life and actions of Jesus and similar to Mark and Luke. Matthew is not a biography nor does it read like a novel. Matthew focuses on three and a half years of Jesus’ ministry with the primary focus on the last week before crucifixion. Matthew only contains those things God wants us to know about so we understand the spiritual implications. Matthew stresses Jesus’ exhortations to His followers.
Important points – Matthew was known as the “Jewish gospel” and stresses the Old Testament prophecies fulfilled by Jesus. Matthew bridges the gap between the Old and New Testaments. Matthew is well written and focuses on Jesus as a teacher and showcases His teachings. Matthew highlights the church and the Great Commission. Matthew is important to the Jews because it shows the genealogy from Abraham through King David and ultimately, to Jesus.
Why – Matthew was written to preserve eyewitness testimony of Christ’s ministry.
Theological truths:
1. Jesus is the Messiah.
2. Jesus is the new Abraham who establishes a church for all who believe.
3. Jesus is the new Moses who delivers and instructs His people.
4. Jesus is Immanuel, the Son of God who fulfills Old Testament promises.
5. Jesus gave us God’s salvation plan, sixty references to the Old Testament and revealed His future plans for the church and His kingdom.
Matthew gave us five discourses (teachings of Jesus).
1. Sermon on the Mount
2. Ministry of Jesus’ disciples
3. Parables about the kingdom
4. Character of Jesus’ disciples
5. Olivet discourse.