The churches of Christ Greet You (Romans 16:16)
Matthew is the “Queen of the Gospels” and first book of the New Testament. The book was written in about AD 66, a few years before the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. It is a popular Gospel because: (1) It was authored by an apostle (Matthew). (2) It has the most complete record of Jesus’ ministry (genealogy, birth, childhood, teachings, death, burial, and resurrection). (3) It says much about the church (God’s kingdom - Matthew 16:18-19) and how Christians must live as the church.
The Divine purpose in the Gospel by Matthew is to set forth the Lord Jesus as Jehovah’s King. The words and expressions peculiar to this Gospel have the same purpose. The book presents Jesus as what He is - before Man (relatively) - the highest earthly position, the KING. “Behold, thy King” (Zech. 9:9). “Behold...I will raise unto David a Righteous BRANCH, and a KING shall reign and prosper” (Jer. 23:5-6; 33:15).
The Book begins with the ROYAL genealogy from Abraham and David downward (Matthew 1:1-17). It has a prologue (chapters 1-4) and is then divided into five parts; each containing what Jesus said (discourse) and what He did (Matthew’s narrative). The five discourses are Matthew 5-7; 10; 13; 18; 23-25. The book itself indicates this, closing each division of teaching with a similar statement that Jesus had, at that point, ended His teaching (Matt. 7:28; 11:1; 13:53; 19:1; 26:1).
Matthew’s goal is to explain Jesus through Jewish concerns. By use of fulfilled prophecy, incidents, and discourses he shows that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. He quotes from more than 20 Old Testament passages to prove his claims that Jesus is the long expected Messiah, the King of the Jews or the King of God’s Kingdom. Hence, those events in His ministry are singled out and emphasized which set forth His claims as the Messiah - sent to fulfill all the prophecies concerning Him. The book also emphasizes the teachings of Jesus as an outstanding Rabbi.
The diligent student will notice that “the kingdom of heaven” occurs thirty-two times in Matthew, and not once in any other Gospel. “Son of David” occurs ten times in Matthew, three in Mark, and thee in Luke. “The end of the world (age)” occurs only in Matthew. “That it might be fulfilled which was spoken” occurs nine times in Matthew, and nowhere else. “That which was spoken” occurs twelve times in Matthew, and nowhere else.
There are nine incidents peculiar to Matthew (1:20-24; 2:1-12; 2:13-15; 2:16; 27:3-10; 27:19; 27:52; 28:12-15; 28:19-20). Ten parables are peculiar to Matthew (13:24-30, 36-43; 13:44; 13:45-46; 13:47; 18:23-35; 20:1-16; 21:28-32; 22:1-13; 25:1-13; 25:14-30). Three miracles are peculiar to Matthew (9:27-31; 9:32-33; 17:24-27).
Matthew Outline
I. Prophecies of
Messiah (1-4) Reviewed
II. Principles of Messiah
(5-7) Revealed
III. Power of Messiah (8-10)
Revealed
IV. Program of Messiah (11-13)
Explained
V. Power of Messiah
(14-16:12) Sustained
VI. Purpose of Messiah (16:13-18)
Declared
VII. Problems of Messiah (19-26)
Presented
VIII. Passion of Messiah (27-28:15) Rewarded
IX. Plan of Messiah (28:16-20)
Announced
Go To: Book
of Matthew