THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
Introduction:
“The subject of this book, and indeed of all the writings of the New Testament, is the Gospel. The Greek word euaggelion signifies a joyful message, good news, glad tidings of good things; such as Christ was anointed to preach, the Angels brought to the shepherds, and the Evangelists, Apostles, and Ministers of Christ published to the world, Isaiah 61:1; 52:7; Luke 2:10. And such is the account given by this inspired writer, of the incarnation, life, actions, ministry, miracles, sufferings, and death of Jesus Christ; whereby peace and reconciliation, pardon and righteousness, atonement and redemption, life and salvation, are obtained for lost, perishing sinners.” — John Gill’s Expositor.
“The four Gospels record the eternal being, human ancestry, birth, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus the Christ, Son of God, and Son of Man. They record also a selection from the incidents of His life, and from His words and works. Taken together, they set forth, not a biography, but a Personality.” — Online Bible Verse Theme Index.
“It is… a marvellous proof of the guidance and control of the Divine Spirit that out of these numerous oral Gospels there should emerge four, each perfect in itself, and together affording, as with the all-round completeness of sculpture, a life-like representation of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is manifestly of great advantage to have these several portraits of our Lord, permitting us to see Him from different points of view, and with varying arrangements of light and shade; all the more that, while three of them set forth in abundant variety of detail that which is more external, —the face, the features, the form, all the expression of that wondrous Life, —the fourth, appropriately called on that account “the Gospel of the heart of Jesus,” unveils more especially the hidden riches of His inner Life.” — Expositor’s Bible Commentary.
Author: Matthew (also called Levi) Luke 5:27, one of the twelve apostles, Mark 2:14. Undoubtedly a Jew who was a publican, or Roman tax collector, Matthew 10:3. When called by Jesus he left all and followed him, Luke 5:27-28. He made a great feast for Christ, who attended it despite the fact that the publicans belonged to a despised class, Luke 5:29.
To Whom Addressed: Primarily to the Jews. This view is confirmed by the fact that there are about sixty references to the Jewish prophecies and about forty quotations from the Old Testament. Christ’s mission to the Jews is especially emphasized, Matthew 10:5-6, “These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
15:24.
Key Words: Fulfilled, which is frequently repeated to indicate that the Old Testament prophecies were fulfilled in Christ. The word Kingdom, which appears fifty times and the Kingdom Of Heaven thirty times. King, Jesus as, Matthew 2:2; 21:5; 22:11; 25:34; 27:11, 37, 42.
Apparent Purpose: To show that Jesus of Nazareth was the Kingly Messiah of Jewish prophecy.
Distinctive Features:
1) The Complete Genealogy of Christ beginning with Abraham, Matthew 1:1-17.
2) Incidents and Discourses found only in this Gospel:
a. Ch. 2.
aa. The visit of the Magi [wise men], Matthew 2:1-12.
bb. The flight into Egypt, Matthew 2:13-14.
cc. The slaughter of the Innocents, Matthew 2:16.
dd. The return to Nazareth, Matthew 2:19-23.
b. Ch. 3. The coming of the Pharisees and Sadducees to John the Baptist, Matthew 3:7.
c. Chs. 5-7 The Sermon on the Mount (complete), Matthew 5:1–7:29.
d. Ch. 11. “Come unto me, all ye that labour,” Matthew 11:28.
e. Ch. 14. Peter walking on the sea, Matthew 14:28-31.
f. Ch. 23. The denunciation of the Pharisees, as an extended Discourse, Matthew 23.
g. Ch. 26. The thirty pieces of silver received by Judas, Matthew 26:15.
h. Ch. 27.
aa. The return of the thirty pieces of silver, Matthew 27:3-10.
bb. The dreams of Pilate’s wife, Matthew 27:19.
cc. The appearance of resurrected saints, Matthew 27:52.
dd. The watch at the sepulcher, Matthew 27:64-66.
3) Ch. 28.
a. The bribing of the soldiers, Matthew 28:12-13.
b. The earthquake, Matthew 28:2.
c. The Great Commission, Matthew 28:19-20.
d. Miracles found only in Matthew:
aa. The two blind men healed, Matthew 9:28-30.
bb. The tribute money,. Matthew 17:24-27.
4) Parables found only in Matthew:
a. Ch. 13:
aa. The Tares, Matthew 13:24.
bb. The hid treasure, Matthew 13:44.
cc. The goodly pearl, Matthew 13:45.
dd. The draw-net, Matthew 13:47.
b. Ch. 18. The unmerciful servant, Matthew 18:23.
c. Ch. 20. The laborers in the vineyard, Matthew 20:1-16.
d. Ch. 21. The two sons, Matthew 21:28-32.
e. Ch. 22. The marriage of the king’s son, Matthew 22:1-14.
f. Ch. 25:
aa. The ten virgins, Matthew 25:1-13.
bb. The talents, Matthew 25:14-30.
cc. The sheep and the goats, Matthew 25:31-46.
Analysis: From the standpoint of the Kingship of Christ; the King; the story of the Kingly Messiah:
1) His Lineage and birth, Matthew 1.
2) The Search for Jesus Matthew 2:2.
3) The Adoration of Jesus, Matthew 2:11.
4) The herald of Matthew 3:1-12.
5) The spiritual victory of, Matthew 4:1-11.
6) The proclamation of Matthew 4:17.
7) Summoning followers, by, Matthew 4:18-22.
8) The laws and mandates of, Matthew 5:1–7:29.
9) The words and works of, Matthew 8:1-12:50.
10) The parables of, Matthew 13.
11) The murder of his herald, John the Baptist, Matthew 14:1-12.
12) His power over natural forces, and disease, Matthew 14:14-36; 15:32-39.
13) His revelation of the dullness of men, and his own coming sufferings and glory, Matthew 16:1–17:27.
14) His instruction concerning the principles of his kingdom, Matthew 18:1–20:34.
15) His triumphal entry unto the capital, his rejection, parables and prophecies, Matthew 21:1–22:14.
16) His foiling of the plots of the Pharisees and Sadducees, Matthew 22:15-46.
17) His denunciation of the leaders, Matthew 23.
18) His prophecies and parables relating to the future, Matthew 24:1–25:46.
19) The events leading up to his betrayal, Matthew 26:1-46.
20) His trial, Matthew 26:57-75; 27:1-31.
21) His crucifixion, Matthew 27:31-50.
22) The events immediately following his death, Matthew 27:51-56.
23) His Resurrection and his commission to his followers, Matthew 28.