Author : Keith Sharp
The author of the first gospel account is Matthew (Greek name), also known as Levi (Hebrew name). He was a tax collector who accepted Jesus’ call to discipleship (Matthew 9:9-13; Mark 2:14-17; Luke 5:27-32) and later became one of the Lord’s twelve apostles (Matthew 10:1-4). Thus, he was a first hand witness of the events he records.
PurposeMatthew’s account of the life of Christ is well placed at the very beginning of the New Testament, since it helps tie the Old and New Testaments together. It shows how Jesus fulfills the Old Testament as the Messiah (Christ) promised by the prophets. Matthew wrote to strengthen Jewish Christians in their faith, to refute their opponents, and to prove that the gospel, rather than contradicting the Old Testament, fulfills it. Matthew is the gospel to the Jews.
PlanA number of peculiarities of Matthew demonstrate this purpose. Matthew traces the lineage of Christ from Abraham through David (1:1-17). He quotes or alludes to the Old Testament about sixty-five times. Matthew uses the term “kingdom” fifty times and the phrase “kingdom of heaven” thirty-three times. He uses the phrase “kingdom of God” only five times, in deference to the Jewish hesitancy to directly mention God. He assigns the title “Son of David” to Jesus nine times. Matthew repeatedly recognizes Jesus as King (2:2; 21:5; 22:11; 25:34; 27:11,37,42). He records Jesus’ claim to fulfill the law (5:17-20), His denunciations of the Pharisees (cf. 15:1-14; 23:1-36), and His rejection of national Israel (ch’s 21 – 24). Matthew alone wrote of the Jews’ acceptance of the guilt of the blood of Christ (27:25). He alone refutes the Jewish claim that the disciples stole the body of Jesus (27:62-66; 28:11-15). Matthew records Jesus’ great lessons on the nature of the kingdom of heaven (ch’s. 5-7,13). Though Matthew wrote in Greek, even his style of writing is Jewish. Matthew emphasizes the righteousness of the kingdom (cf. 5:20). The terms “righteous” and “righteousness” occur more in Matthew than in the other three accounts combined.
OutlineI. Introduction 1:1 – 4:11
A. Qualifications – chapter 1
B. Recognition – 2:1-12
C. Preparation – 2:13 – 4:11
II. Ministry in Galilee – 4:12 – 18:35
A. Presentation to Israel – 4:12 – 16:20
B. Preparation of Apostles – 16:21- 18:35
III. Ministry in Judea – chapters 19 – 20
IV. Rejection of Israel – chapters 21-25
V. Death, Burial, Resurrection, & Commission – chapters 26 – 28
