Matthew
Purpose
Matthew presents Jesus of Nazareth as the long-awaited Messiah and King of Israel, the one in whom all the Old Testament promises find their "fulfillment." Written for a largely Jewish-Christian audience, the Gospel binds Jesus' story to Israel's Scriptures at every turn: his birth fulfills prophecy, his flight to Egypt echoes the exodus, his temptations recapitulate Israel's wilderness failures, and his teaching from a mountain evokes Moses at Sinai. Through five major teaching blocks — the Sermon on the Mount, the mission discourse, the parables of the kingdom, the discourse on the church, and the Olivet discourse — Matthew unfolds the true righteousness of the kingdom of heaven, a righteousness that exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees and reaches the heart. Yet the King's path runs through suffering and death: a substantial passion narrative shows Jesus giving his life "as a ransom for many," and the Gospel closes with the risen Christ claiming all authority in heaven and on earth and commissioning his disciples to make disciples of all nations.
Author
Traditionally Matthew (Levi), the apostle and former tax collector
Time Period
Written c. 50-70 AD
Key Themes
- Jesus as Messiah and King
- Fulfillment of prophecy
- The kingdom of heaven
- True righteousness
- Discipleship
- All nations
Outline
Birth and preparation (ch. 1–4): the genealogy from Abraham, the virgin birth, the magi, the flight to Egypt, John the Baptist, the temptations, and the call of the first disciples. The Sermon on the Mount (ch. 5–7): the Beatitudes, the Law fulfilled, prayer, money, and the two foundations. Miracles and authority (ch. 8–9): healings, calming the storm, forgiveness of sins, and the harvest plentiful. The mission discourse (ch. 10): sending the Twelve, persecution, and confessing Christ. Growing opposition and parables of the kingdom (ch. 11–13): John's question, woes to unrepentant cities, Sabbath conflicts, and the parables of the sower, the weeds, the mustard seed, and the hidden treasure. The church and the cross (ch. 14–20): feeding the five thousand, Peter's confession and the church, the transfiguration, teaching on humility and forgiveness, and blessing the children. The Olivet discourse (ch. 21–25): the triumphal entry, temple controversies, woes to the scribes and Pharisees, and the signs of the end with the parables of watchfulness. Passion and resurrection (ch. 26–28): the Last Supper, Gethsemane, the trial, the crucifixion, the burial, the empty tomb, and the Great Commission.