This study guide offers resources for exploring Matthew, traditionally attributed to the Apostle Matthew. It delves into its historical context, authorship, purpose, and key themes. This guide provides free lessons, study notes, cross-references, and applications to understand Jesus’s ministry, death and biblical story.
Author and Date of Writing
The Gospel of Matthew is traditionally attributed to the Apostle Matthew, also known as Levi, a tax collector from Capernaum. Early church fathers unanimously supported Matthew’s authorship. Papias (ca. AD 130) associated Matthew with the Gospel, stating he collected “the oracles” in Hebrew. Eusebius corroborated Papias’ account, indicating Matthew wrote for a Jewish audience.
While the Gospel itself is anonymous, the earliest traditions link it to Matthew, one of Jesus’ twelve apostles. Despite this strong early tradition, some modern scholars propose alternative theories regarding authorship, considering the potential involvement of other contributors or redactors.
Determining the precise date of writing remains a subject of scholarly debate. Estimates typically range from AD 50 to AD 100. Some scholars propose an earlier date (58-68 AD), aligning with the belief that Matthew was the first Gospel written. Others suggest a later date, considering the potential influence of Mark’s Gospel (which some believe was written first) and the destruction of the Temple in AD 70 as possible contextual factors.
Matthew’s Background and Perspective
Matthew’s background as a tax collector significantly shapes his Gospel’s perspective. As a publican, he would have been familiar with Jewish law and customs, as well as the intricacies of Roman administration. This unique position likely provided him with insights into both Jewish and Gentile societies, influencing his portrayal of Jesus and his message.
Matthew’s Gospel demonstrates a strong interest in connecting Jesus to the Old Testament prophecies, portraying him as the promised Messiah of Israel. His detailed genealogy of Jesus, tracing his lineage back to Abraham, highlights Jesus’s Jewish heritage. His frequent use of Old Testament quotations, reportedly 62, emphasizes the fulfillment of God’s promises in Jesus.
Furthermore, Matthew’s Gospel reveals a particular concern for the early Christian churches within Israel, addressing their relationship with Judaism. He surpasses Paul’s description of the woman who gave Jesus life. This focus suggests that Matthew wrote to a Jewish Christian audience facing challenges and questions about their identity and place within the broader Jewish community.
Audience and Purpose
The Gospel of Matthew was primarily written for a Jewish Christian audience. Evidence for this lies in its heavy emphasis on the Old Testament, its detailed explanations of Jewish customs, and its focus on Jesus as the fulfillment of Jewish prophecy. Matthew aims to demonstrate to Jewish believers that Jesus is indeed the promised Messiah, the King of the Jews, and the rightful heir to David’s throne.
One primary purpose was to strengthen their faith and provide them with a solid foundation for their beliefs in the face of opposition from traditional Jewish authorities. Matthew endeavors to show how Jesus’s life, teachings, death, and resurrection fulfilled the hopes and expectations of the Jewish people, as revealed in the scriptures.
Matthew’s Gospel also seeks to address the relationship between Jewish and Gentile believers in the early church. By highlighting Jesus’s ministry to both Jews and Gentiles, Matthew emphasizes the inclusivity of God’s salvation and calls for unity within the Christian community.
Key Themes in Matthew
The Gospel of Matthew presents several key themes that are central to its message. One prominent theme is the kingship of Jesus. Matthew portrays Jesus as the promised King of the Jews, the Messiah who fulfills the prophecies of the Old Testament. He emphasizes Jesus’s royal lineage, his miraculous birth, and his authority over all things.
Another important theme is the fulfillment of the Old Testament. Matthew frequently quotes from the Old Testament to demonstrate how Jesus’s life and ministry fulfilled God’s promises to Israel. He presents Jesus as the ultimate interpreter and embodiment of the law and the prophets.
Furthermore, Matthew emphasizes the importance of discipleship. He calls believers to follow Jesus wholeheartedly, obeying his teachings and living out his values. Matthew highlights the cost of discipleship, urging his readers to be willing to sacrifice everything for the sake of the Kingdom of God. The tension between the old and the new is also explored.
Structure of Matthew’s Gospel
The Gospel of Matthew exhibits a deliberate and well-organized structure. It can be broadly divided into several key sections, each contributing to the overall narrative and theological message. The gospel begins with a genealogy of Jesus, tracing his lineage back to Abraham, emphasizing his Jewish heritage and his role as the promised Messiah. This is followed by the birth narrative, recounting the miraculous circumstances surrounding Jesus’s birth in Bethlehem.
Following the introductory sections, Matthew presents the ministry of John the Baptist, who prepares the way for Jesus. Then comes the baptism of Jesus, where he is anointed by the Holy Spirit and affirmed by God as his beloved Son. The temptation of Jesus in the wilderness follows, where he faces trials and emerges victorious.
The body of Matthew’s Gospel is structured around five lengthy sermons that Jesus gives to his disciples or to the broader public.
Matthew’s Use of the Old Testament
Matthew’s Gospel is characterized by its extensive use of the Old Testament, employing it to demonstrate that Jesus is the fulfillment of Jewish prophecies and expectations. Matthew frequently quotes from the Old Testament, using phrases like “This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet.” These quotations serve to connect Jesus’s life, ministry, death, and resurrection to the promises and predictions made in the Hebrew scriptures.
Matthew strategically selects Old Testament passages that highlight Jesus’s messianic identity, his divine sonship, and his role as the King of Israel. By doing so, Matthew aims to convince his Jewish audience that Jesus is not a departure from their religious heritage but rather the culmination of it.
He focuses on the fulfillment of the Old Testament, quoting from it extensively, to establish Jesus as the promised Messiah within a Jewish context. Through careful selection and interpretation, Matthew demonstrates how Jesus’s life and teachings align with the prophecies and expectations found in the Hebrew scriptures.
Key Events in Jesus’ Life (Matthew)
Matthew’s Gospel meticulously recounts key events in Jesus’s life, emphasizing their significance in fulfilling Old Testament prophecies and revealing his divine identity. The narrative begins with Jesus’s genealogy, tracing his lineage back to Abraham, establishing his Jewish heritage and messianic claim. His miraculous birth to the Virgin Mary further underscores his divine origin, with the visit of the Magi symbolizing his recognition as King of the Jews.
Jesus’s baptism by John the Baptist marks the beginning of his public ministry, followed by his temptation in the wilderness, demonstrating his resilience and obedience to God. Matthew highlights Jesus’s ministry in Galilee, where he performs numerous miracles, healing the sick and casting out demons, showcasing his power and compassion.
The transfiguration is one of the most dramatic events recorded in the Gospel and reveals the true identity of Jesus. Matthew also recounts Jesus’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem, his Last Supper with his disciples, his betrayal, trial, crucifixion, and resurrection, which are central to the Christian faith.
Jesus’ Teachings and Sermons (Matthew)
Matthew’s Gospel is distinguished by its presentation of Jesus’s teachings and sermons, which form the core of his message and provide guidance for Christian living. The most famous of these is the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), a comprehensive discourse that outlines the principles of the Kingdom of Heaven. Here, Jesus presents the Beatitudes, offering blessings for those who embody humility, compassion, and righteousness.
He also delves into topics such as anger, adultery, oaths, and retaliation, challenging traditional interpretations of the Law and calling for a higher standard of moral conduct. Jesus emphasizes the importance of love, forgiveness, and selfless service, urging his followers to be salt and light in the world.
Other significant sermons in Matthew include the Missionary Discourse (Matthew 10), where Jesus instructs his disciples on their mission, and the Parables of the Kingdom (Matthew 13), which use vivid imagery to explain the nature and growth of God’s reign. These teachings provide invaluable insights into Jesus’s vision for a transformed world.
Resources for Studying Matthew
Numerous resources are available to aid in the study of the Gospel of Matthew, catering to various levels of expertise and interests. For in-depth analysis, commentaries offer verse-by-verse explanations, historical context, and theological insights. Some popular commentaries include those by respected scholars and theologians.
Study Bibles provide additional notes, cross-references, and maps to enhance understanding. Online resources, such as Bible websites and apps, offer access to multiple translations, commentaries, and study tools. Inductive Bible study guides provide questions, study notes, cross-references and applications. These guides encourage readers to engage directly with the text, draw their own conclusions.
For those interested in the historical and cultural background of Matthew, books and articles on first-century Judaism and the socio-political context of Jesus’s ministry can be invaluable. Additionally, exploring the use of Matthew’s Gospel in the Roman Catholic Lectionary for Mass can offer a unique perspective. Ultimately, the best resources are those that facilitate a deeper understanding of the text.