MATTHEW
Opening Statement
A. Until the time of the Renaissance / Reformation, the Gospel of Matthew was thought to have been the first Gospel written (and still is by the Roman Catholic church).
B. It was the most copied, most quoted, most used Gospel in The Catholic Church.
C. William Barclay, in The First Three Gospels, said “When we turn to Matthew, we turn to the book which may well be called the most important single document of the Christian faith, for in it we have the fullest and the most systematic account of the life and the teachings of Jesus.”
D. It forms a logical bridge between the Old and New Covenants, between The Jewish and Gentile believers.
E. Therefore, the purposes of The Gospel According to Matthew were evangelism and discipleship, the twin aspects of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19 – 20..."Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (NASB)).
1. They were to help convert Jews by informing them of Jesus’ life and teachings.
2. They were to disciple both believing Jews and Gentiles into how they should live as Christians.
B. It was the most copied, most quoted, most used Gospel in The Catholic Church.
C. William Barclay, in The First Three Gospels, said “When we turn to Matthew, we turn to the book which may well be called the most important single document of the Christian faith, for in it we have the fullest and the most systematic account of the life and the teachings of Jesus.”
D. It forms a logical bridge between the Old and New Covenants, between The Jewish and Gentile believers.
E. Therefore, the purposes of The Gospel According to Matthew were evangelism and discipleship, the twin aspects of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19 – 20..."Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (NASB)).
1. They were to help convert Jews by informing them of Jesus’ life and teachings.
2. They were to disciple both believing Jews and Gentiles into how they should live as Christians.
The Authorship
A. When confronted with the question of authorship, the evidence becomes two-fold (external and internal).
B. On the external side, evidence strongly supports that the Apostle Matthew as author.
1. Pseudo Barnabas
2. Clement of Rome
3. Polycarp
4. Justin Martyr
5. Clement of Alexandria
6. Tertullian
7. Origen
C. On the internal side, this book has more reference to “coins” than any of the other 3 Gospels.
Matthew 17:24..."When they came to Capernaum, those who collected the two-drachma {tax} came to Peter and said, "Does your teacher not pay the two-drachma {tax?}" (NASB)
Matthew 17:27..."However, so that we do not offend them, go to the sea and throw in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for you and Me." (NASB)
Matthew 18:24..."When he had begun to settle {them,} one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him." (NASB)
D. The uniform tradition of the early church is that Matthew (also known as Levi, Mark 2:14..."As He passed by, He saw Levi the {son} of Alphaeus sitting in the tax booth, and He *said to him, "Follow Me!" And he got up and followed Him." (NASB)), tax-collector (Matthew 9:9..."As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man called Matthew, sitting in the tax collector's booth; and He *said to him, "Follow Me!" And he got up and followed Him" (NASB)) and disciple of Jesus, wrote the Gospel.
E. While existing manuscripts of Matthew are written in Greek, tradition of the early church suggests that Matthew wrote his Gospel in Aramaic which is similar to Greek. However, modern scholarship has rejected this tradition because...
1. the Greek of Matthew does not have the characteristics of a translation from Aramaic,
2. there are Greek word plays,
Matthew 6:16..."Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites {do,} for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full." (NASB)
Matther 21:41..."They *said to Him, "He will bring those wretches to a wretched end, and will rent out the vineyard to other vine-growers who will pay him the proceeds at the {proper} seasons." (NASB)
Matthew 24:30..."And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory." (NASB)
3. most of the Old Testament quotes are from the Septuagint (LXX) not the Masoretic Hebrew Texts. It is possible that 10:3..."...Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus..." (NASB)... is a hint at Matthew’s authorship. It adds “tax-gatherer” after his name. This self deprecating comment is not found in Mark. Matthew also was not a well known person in the New Testament or early church. Why would so much tradition have developed around his name and this first apostolic Gospel?
B. On the external side, evidence strongly supports that the Apostle Matthew as author.
1. Pseudo Barnabas
2. Clement of Rome
3. Polycarp
4. Justin Martyr
5. Clement of Alexandria
6. Tertullian
7. Origen
C. On the internal side, this book has more reference to “coins” than any of the other 3 Gospels.
Matthew 17:24..."When they came to Capernaum, those who collected the two-drachma {tax} came to Peter and said, "Does your teacher not pay the two-drachma {tax?}" (NASB)
Matthew 17:27..."However, so that we do not offend them, go to the sea and throw in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for you and Me." (NASB)
Matthew 18:24..."When he had begun to settle {them,} one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him." (NASB)
D. The uniform tradition of the early church is that Matthew (also known as Levi, Mark 2:14..."As He passed by, He saw Levi the {son} of Alphaeus sitting in the tax booth, and He *said to him, "Follow Me!" And he got up and followed Him." (NASB)), tax-collector (Matthew 9:9..."As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man called Matthew, sitting in the tax collector's booth; and He *said to him, "Follow Me!" And he got up and followed Him" (NASB)) and disciple of Jesus, wrote the Gospel.
E. While existing manuscripts of Matthew are written in Greek, tradition of the early church suggests that Matthew wrote his Gospel in Aramaic which is similar to Greek. However, modern scholarship has rejected this tradition because...
1. the Greek of Matthew does not have the characteristics of a translation from Aramaic,
2. there are Greek word plays,
Matthew 6:16..."Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites {do,} for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full." (NASB)
Matther 21:41..."They *said to Him, "He will bring those wretches to a wretched end, and will rent out the vineyard to other vine-growers who will pay him the proceeds at the {proper} seasons." (NASB)
Matthew 24:30..."And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory." (NASB)
3. most of the Old Testament quotes are from the Septuagint (LXX) not the Masoretic Hebrew Texts. It is possible that 10:3..."...Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus..." (NASB)... is a hint at Matthew’s authorship. It adds “tax-gatherer” after his name. This self deprecating comment is not found in Mark. Matthew also was not a well known person in the New Testament or early church. Why would so much tradition have developed around his name and this first apostolic Gospel?
The Date
Various dates have been suggested by conservative scholars. C. I. Scofield gave a date of 37 A.D. as a possibility while yet others suggest after 70 A.D. due to its reference to The Destruction of Jerusalem. However, Matthew referring to “The Holy City” (Matthew 4:5..."Then the devil *took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple..." and 27:53..."...and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection they entered the holy city and appeared to many." (NASB)) implies that Jerusalem still existed at that time.
The Recipients
As the date of The Gospel are uncertain, so are the recipients. It seems best to relate it to both believing Jews and Gentiles.
Some Outstanding Characteristics of Matthew
The Book of Matthew...
1. places emphasis on the teachings of Jesus
a. Chapters 5 thru 7 (Sermon on The Mount)
b. Chapter 10 (Instructions to HIS disciples)
c. Chapter 13 (Parables of The Kingdom)
d. Chapter 23 (The denunciation of The Religious Leaders)
e. Chapters 24 thru 25 (The Olivet Discourse)
2. is arranged logically instead chronological (genealogies, miracles, opposition)
3. is filled with Old Testament quotes
4. shows Jesus as The Messiah and explains God's kingdom program
5. starts with a summary statement
1. places emphasis on the teachings of Jesus
a. Chapters 5 thru 7 (Sermon on The Mount)
b. Chapter 10 (Instructions to HIS disciples)
c. Chapter 13 (Parables of The Kingdom)
d. Chapter 23 (The denunciation of The Religious Leaders)
e. Chapters 24 thru 25 (The Olivet Discourse)
2. is arranged logically instead chronological (genealogies, miracles, opposition)
3. is filled with Old Testament quotes
4. shows Jesus as The Messiah and explains God's kingdom program
5. starts with a summary statement
Map Locations to Plot
1. Bethlehem, 2:1..."Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying..." (NASB)
2. Wilderness of Judea, 3:1..."Now in those days John the Baptist *came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying..." (NASB)
3. Galilee, 3:13..."Then Jesus *arrived from Galilee at the Jordan {coming} to John, to be baptized by him." (NASB)
4. Nazareth and Capernaum, 4:13..."...and leaving Nazareth, He came and settled in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali." (NASB)
5. Sodom and Gomorrah, 10:15..."Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for {the} land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city." (NASB)
6. Bethsaida, 11:21..."Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles had occurred in Tyre and Sidon which occurred in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes." (NASB)
7. Sidon, 15:21..."Jesus went away from there, and withdrew into the district of Tyre and Sidon." (NASB)
8. Caesarea Philippi, 16:13..."Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" (NASB)
9. Mount of Olives, 21:1..."When they had approached Jerusalem and had come to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples..." (NASB)
10. Gethsemane, 26:36..."Then Jesus *came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and *said to His disciples, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." (NASB)
2. Wilderness of Judea, 3:1..."Now in those days John the Baptist *came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying..." (NASB)
3. Galilee, 3:13..."Then Jesus *arrived from Galilee at the Jordan {coming} to John, to be baptized by him." (NASB)
4. Nazareth and Capernaum, 4:13..."...and leaving Nazareth, He came and settled in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali." (NASB)
5. Sodom and Gomorrah, 10:15..."Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for {the} land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city." (NASB)
6. Bethsaida, 11:21..."Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles had occurred in Tyre and Sidon which occurred in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes." (NASB)
7. Sidon, 15:21..."Jesus went away from there, and withdrew into the district of Tyre and Sidon." (NASB)
8. Caesarea Philippi, 16:13..."Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" (NASB)
9. Mount of Olives, 21:1..."When they had approached Jerusalem and had come to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples..." (NASB)
10. Gethsemane, 26:36..."Then Jesus *came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and *said to His disciples, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." (NASB)
The Outline
I. The Introduction of The King 1:1 – 4:11
A. The King's genealogy 1:1 – 17
B. The King's birth 1:18 – 25
C. The King's childhood 2
1. The prophecy about Bethlehem 2:1 – 12
2. The prophecies about Egypt 2:13 – 18
3. The prophecies about Nazareth 2:19 – 23
D. The King's preparation 3:1 – 4:11
1. Jesus' forerunner 3:1 – 12
2. Jesus' baptism 3:13 – 17
3. Jesus' temptation 4:1 – 11
II. The Authority of The King 4:12 – 7:29
A. The beginning of Jesus' ministry 4:12 – 25
1. The setting of Jesus' ministry 4:12 – 16
2. Jesus' essential message 4:17
3. The call of four disciples 4:18 – 22
4. A summary of Jesus' ministry 4:23 – 25
B. Jesus' revelations concerning participation in His kingdom chs. 5 – 7
1. The setting of the Sermon on the Mount 5:1 – 2
2. The subjects of Jesus' kingdom 5:3 – 16
3. The importance of true righteousness 5:17 – 7:12
4. The false alternatives 7:13 – 27
5. The response of the audience 7:28 – 29
III. The manifestation of the King 8:1 – 11:1
A. Demonstrations of the King's power 8:1 – 9:34
1. Jesus' ability to heal 8:1 – 17
2. Jesus' authority over His disciples 8:18 – 22
3. Jesus' supernatural power 8:23 – 9:8
4. Jesus' authority over His critics 9:9 – 17
5. Jesus' ability to restore 9:18 – 34
B. Declarations of the King's presence 9:35 – 11:1
1. Jesus' compassion 9:35 – 38
2. Jesus' commissioning of 12 disciples 10:1 – 4
3. Jesus' charge concerning His apostles' mission 10:5 – 42
4. Jesus' continuation of His work 11:1
IV. The opposition to the King 11:2 – 13:53
A. Evidences of Israel's opposition to Jesus 11:2 – 30
1. Questions from the King's forerunner 11:2 – 19
2. Indifference to the King's message 11:20 – 24
3. The King's invitation to the repentant 11:25 – 30
B. Specific instances of Israel's rejection of Jesus ch. 12
1. Conflict over Sabbath observance 12:1 – 21
2. Conflict over Jesus' power 12:22 – 37
3. Conflict over Jesus' sign 12:38 – 45
4. Conflict over Jesus' kin 12:46 – 50
C. Adaptations because of Israel's rejection of Jesus 13:1 – 53
1. The setting 13:1 – 3a
2. Parables addressed to the multitudes 13:3b – 33
3. The function of these parables 13:34 – 43
4. Parables addressed to the disciples 13:44 – 52
5. The departure 13:53
V. The reactions of the King 13:54 – 19:2
A. Opposition, instruction, and healing 13:54 – 16:12
1. The opposition of the Nazarenes and Romans 13:54 – 14:12
2. The withdrawal to Bethsaida 14:13 – 33
3. The public ministry at Gennesaret 14:34 – 36
4. The opposition of the Pharisees and scribes 15:1 – 20
5. The withdrawal to Tyre and Sidon 15:21 – 28
6. The public ministry to Gentiles 15:29 – 39
7. The opposition of the Pharisees and Sadducees 16:1 – 12
B. Jesus' instruction of His disciples around Galilee 16:13 – 19:2
1. Instruction about the King's person 16:13 – 17
2. Instruction about the King's program 16:18 – 17:13
3. Instruction about the King's principles 17:14 – 27
4. Instruction about the King's personal representatives ch. 18
5. The transition from Galilee to Judea 19:1 – 2
VI. The official presentation and rejection of the King 19:3 – 25:46
A. Jesus' instruction of His disciples around Judea 19:3 – 20:34
1. Instruction about marriage 19:3 – 12
2. Instruction about childlikeness 19:13 – 15
3. Instruction about wealth 19:16 – 20:16
4. Instruction about Jesus' passion 20:17 – 19
5. Instruction about serving 20:20 – 28
6. An illustration of illumination 20:29 – 34
B. Jesus' presentation of Himself to Israel as her King 21:1 – 17
1. Jesus' preparation for the presentation 21:1 – 7
2. Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem 21:8 – 11
3. Jesus' entrance into the temple 21:12 – 17
C. Israel's rejection of her King 21:18 - 22:46
1. The sign of Jesus' rejection of Israel 21:18 – 22
2. Rejection by the chief priests and the elders 21:23 – 22:14
3. Rejection by the Pharisees and the Herodians 22:15 – 22
4. Rejection by the Sadducees 22:23 – 33
5. Rejection by the Pharisees 22:34 – 46
D. The King's rejection of Israel ch. 23
1. Jesus' admonition of the multitudes and His disciples 23:1 – 12
2. Jesus' indictment of the scribes and the Pharisees 23:13 – 36
3. Jesus' lamentation over Jerusalem 23:37 – 39
E. The King's revelations concerning the future chs. 24 – 25
1. The setting of the Olivet Discourse 24:1 – 3
2. Jesus' warning about deception 24:4 – 6
3. Jesus' general description of the future 24:7 – 14
4. The abomination of desolation 24:15 – 22
5. The second coming of the King 24:23 – 31
6. The responsibilities of disciples 24:32 – 25:30
7. The King's judgment of the nations 25:31 – 46
VII. The crucifixion and resurrection of the King chs. 26 – 28
A. The King's crucifixion chs. 26 – 27
1. Preparations for Jesus' crucifixion 26:1 – 46
2. The arrest of Jesus 26:47 – 56
3. The trials of Jesus 26:57 – 27:26
4. The crucifixion of Jesus 27:27 – 56
5. The burial of Jesus 27:57 – 66
B. The King's resurrection ch. 28
1. The empty tomb 28:1 – 7
2. Jesus' appearance to the women 28:8 – 10
3. The attempted cover-up 28:11 – 15
4. The King's final instructions to His disciples 28:16 – 20
A. The King's genealogy 1:1 – 17
B. The King's birth 1:18 – 25
C. The King's childhood 2
1. The prophecy about Bethlehem 2:1 – 12
2. The prophecies about Egypt 2:13 – 18
3. The prophecies about Nazareth 2:19 – 23
D. The King's preparation 3:1 – 4:11
1. Jesus' forerunner 3:1 – 12
2. Jesus' baptism 3:13 – 17
3. Jesus' temptation 4:1 – 11
II. The Authority of The King 4:12 – 7:29
A. The beginning of Jesus' ministry 4:12 – 25
1. The setting of Jesus' ministry 4:12 – 16
2. Jesus' essential message 4:17
3. The call of four disciples 4:18 – 22
4. A summary of Jesus' ministry 4:23 – 25
B. Jesus' revelations concerning participation in His kingdom chs. 5 – 7
1. The setting of the Sermon on the Mount 5:1 – 2
2. The subjects of Jesus' kingdom 5:3 – 16
3. The importance of true righteousness 5:17 – 7:12
4. The false alternatives 7:13 – 27
5. The response of the audience 7:28 – 29
III. The manifestation of the King 8:1 – 11:1
A. Demonstrations of the King's power 8:1 – 9:34
1. Jesus' ability to heal 8:1 – 17
2. Jesus' authority over His disciples 8:18 – 22
3. Jesus' supernatural power 8:23 – 9:8
4. Jesus' authority over His critics 9:9 – 17
5. Jesus' ability to restore 9:18 – 34
B. Declarations of the King's presence 9:35 – 11:1
1. Jesus' compassion 9:35 – 38
2. Jesus' commissioning of 12 disciples 10:1 – 4
3. Jesus' charge concerning His apostles' mission 10:5 – 42
4. Jesus' continuation of His work 11:1
IV. The opposition to the King 11:2 – 13:53
A. Evidences of Israel's opposition to Jesus 11:2 – 30
1. Questions from the King's forerunner 11:2 – 19
2. Indifference to the King's message 11:20 – 24
3. The King's invitation to the repentant 11:25 – 30
B. Specific instances of Israel's rejection of Jesus ch. 12
1. Conflict over Sabbath observance 12:1 – 21
2. Conflict over Jesus' power 12:22 – 37
3. Conflict over Jesus' sign 12:38 – 45
4. Conflict over Jesus' kin 12:46 – 50
C. Adaptations because of Israel's rejection of Jesus 13:1 – 53
1. The setting 13:1 – 3a
2. Parables addressed to the multitudes 13:3b – 33
3. The function of these parables 13:34 – 43
4. Parables addressed to the disciples 13:44 – 52
5. The departure 13:53
V. The reactions of the King 13:54 – 19:2
A. Opposition, instruction, and healing 13:54 – 16:12
1. The opposition of the Nazarenes and Romans 13:54 – 14:12
2. The withdrawal to Bethsaida 14:13 – 33
3. The public ministry at Gennesaret 14:34 – 36
4. The opposition of the Pharisees and scribes 15:1 – 20
5. The withdrawal to Tyre and Sidon 15:21 – 28
6. The public ministry to Gentiles 15:29 – 39
7. The opposition of the Pharisees and Sadducees 16:1 – 12
B. Jesus' instruction of His disciples around Galilee 16:13 – 19:2
1. Instruction about the King's person 16:13 – 17
2. Instruction about the King's program 16:18 – 17:13
3. Instruction about the King's principles 17:14 – 27
4. Instruction about the King's personal representatives ch. 18
5. The transition from Galilee to Judea 19:1 – 2
VI. The official presentation and rejection of the King 19:3 – 25:46
A. Jesus' instruction of His disciples around Judea 19:3 – 20:34
1. Instruction about marriage 19:3 – 12
2. Instruction about childlikeness 19:13 – 15
3. Instruction about wealth 19:16 – 20:16
4. Instruction about Jesus' passion 20:17 – 19
5. Instruction about serving 20:20 – 28
6. An illustration of illumination 20:29 – 34
B. Jesus' presentation of Himself to Israel as her King 21:1 – 17
1. Jesus' preparation for the presentation 21:1 – 7
2. Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem 21:8 – 11
3. Jesus' entrance into the temple 21:12 – 17
C. Israel's rejection of her King 21:18 - 22:46
1. The sign of Jesus' rejection of Israel 21:18 – 22
2. Rejection by the chief priests and the elders 21:23 – 22:14
3. Rejection by the Pharisees and the Herodians 22:15 – 22
4. Rejection by the Sadducees 22:23 – 33
5. Rejection by the Pharisees 22:34 – 46
D. The King's rejection of Israel ch. 23
1. Jesus' admonition of the multitudes and His disciples 23:1 – 12
2. Jesus' indictment of the scribes and the Pharisees 23:13 – 36
3. Jesus' lamentation over Jerusalem 23:37 – 39
E. The King's revelations concerning the future chs. 24 – 25
1. The setting of the Olivet Discourse 24:1 – 3
2. Jesus' warning about deception 24:4 – 6
3. Jesus' general description of the future 24:7 – 14
4. The abomination of desolation 24:15 – 22
5. The second coming of the King 24:23 – 31
6. The responsibilities of disciples 24:32 – 25:30
7. The King's judgment of the nations 25:31 – 46
VII. The crucifixion and resurrection of the King chs. 26 – 28
A. The King's crucifixion chs. 26 – 27
1. Preparations for Jesus' crucifixion 26:1 – 46
2. The arrest of Jesus 26:47 – 56
3. The trials of Jesus 26:57 – 27:26
4. The crucifixion of Jesus 27:27 – 56
5. The burial of Jesus 27:57 – 66
B. The King's resurrection ch. 28
1. The empty tomb 28:1 – 7
2. Jesus' appearance to the women 28:8 – 10
3. The attempted cover-up 28:11 – 15
4. The King's final instructions to His disciples 28:16 – 20