Click the chapter you want to study.
Below you will also find the summary of this book.
Purpose of The Book of Matthew:
Written to Jews to show the reality and significance of the person and work of Jesus Christ.
Matthew was written primarily to Jewish Christians who were being persecuted because of their faith in
Jesus as Messiah, persuading them that, in Jesus, God is fulfilling the promises made to the nation of
Israel, and encouraging them to follow God in this "new thing" called Christianity.
Summary of The Book of Matthew:
In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus is presented as the Son of God and the King of the
Jews. Jesus is Immanuel, God with us, who preaches the gospel of the kingdom to all peoples-both Jew
and Gentile. The entire book is composed of five large blocks of teaching (5:1-7:29; 10:11-42; 13:1-52;
18:1-35; 24:1-25:46). Jesus’ origins (1-2) and his preparation for ministry (3:1-4:11) are described at the
beginning of the book. The story concludes with the Passion of the Christ: the trial, crucifixion, and
resurrection of Jesus, (26-28), as well as the commissioning of his disciples to take the gospel to the
nations.
Author and Dates of The Book of Matthew:
Matthew probably wrote his gospel right around the time of the destruction of
Jerusalem at the hands of the Romans, in the mid to late 60s AD.
Although it is hard to say with any degree of accuracy, most scholars suggest Antioch in
Syria as the most likely place where Matthew wrote this gospel. Antioch had a large Jewish population,
and was one of the first centers of outreach to the gentile world. This fits the character of Matthew's
gospel nicely.
Outline of The Book of Matthew:
Themes of The Book of Matthew:
Cost of Discipleship: Matthew vividly expressed the sacrifices involved in being a follower of
Christ, showing his audience that he understood their situation, yet still affirmed that the Kingdom of
God is worth any price. (Mt 13:44-46).
Fulfillment: Matthew's gospel contains more prophetic fulfillment language than any other gospel,
showing that Jesus is the culmination of Israel's hopes and dreams, convincing his audience that the
time of waiting is over and the time for proclamation was at hand. (Mt 13:16-17).
Progress: Jesus' preaching about the nature of the Kingdom was radically different from the
teachings of that day, and Matthew made it clear that God was doing something new, and something
better than Israel had ever seen before. (Mt 9:16-17).
The Church: Matthew is the only gospel to use the word "Church" (ekklesia), and he uses it two
different times. He is committed to the idea that Christians should gather together for worship and
encouragement. (Mt 18:19-20).
Authority: Matthew, as do the other gospels, explain Jesus' miracles and teachings as powerful and
authoritative. But Matthew puts extra emphasis on Jesus' authority over all things, encouraging his
readers that nothing can stand in the way of God's forward-moving Kingdom. (Mt 16:18; 28:18).
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