Matthew
By Mary Jane Chaignot
Matthew, Mark, and Luke comprise what are usually referred to as the Synoptic gospels. Synoptic is derived from two Greek words: to see and together. It means, literally, to be able to see together. This corresponds with its dictionary definition: presenting or taking the same common view. For all intents and purposes, this means that all three of these gospels tell essentially the same story. They all relate events that happened in Jesus' life and hold many of these events in common. Yet they all add or delete certain facts, or present them a little differently so that each gospel tells the story in a unique way.
When it comes to Matthew, perhaps the most pressing question on people's minds is just who was this writer named Matthew? Scholars wonder about that, too. From the earliest times, people have assumed it was the disciple named Matthew, called by Jesus in 9:9 as he was sitting at his post in the tax collector's booth. However, Mark refers to this individual as Levi, the son of Alphaeus (2:14) and Luke just calls him Levi (5:27). Scholars assume this is all the same person, and maybe his name was Matthew Levi, meaning Matthew from the tribe of Levi.
On the other hand, more and more modern scholars are less and less comfortable asserting that this gospel was, in fact, written by the apostle, Matthew. Why, they ask, would an apostle rely so heavily on material written by Mark, who was not even an apostle (since most scholars also agree that Mark was the first gospel to be written)? If Matthew had been an eyewitness to those events, it makes no sense for him to rely upon Mark's writings. Surely Matthew's firsthand memories would have overshadowed Mark's secondhand information. On the other hand, those who believe the author was Matthew deflect this criticism by pointing out that Mark was an interpreter of Peter, who was the affirmed leader at that time. Since Mark was using Peter's words, this might have been authoritative for Matthew. In truth, we will never know for sure who the author really was, but perhaps knowing his address and background is considerably less important than understanding his message.
Because of the five discourses (or sermons) peppered throughout his gospel, Matthew has oftentimes been called the "teaching gospel." The teaching blocks are separated by narrative sections, identified by the formula, "When Jesus had finished saying these things…" Some have likened these five sections to the five books of Moses or the five divisions of the Psalms. Scholars who look for themes have identified one in each of the different sections: ethics of the Kingdom (5:1-7:27); mission (10:1-42); redemptive history (13:1-52); church discipline (18:1-35); and eschatology (23:1-25:46).1 These would all have been important points for consideration among the early Christians as well as encouragement for the burgeoning church.
Additionally, scholars have tried to imagine Matthew's audience. Most have taken note of its Jewishness. Matthew, more than any other of the gospels, seems to have a great interest in demonstrating that Jesus was the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, as illustrated by his repeating phrase: "this was to fulfil what the Lord had said through the prophet…" Nearly every detail of Jesus' life was foreshadowed by the prophets, including his birth, his name, his use of parables, his betrayal, and even the casting of lots for his garment as he hung on the cross. His genealogy is structured to prove that Jesus was the Son of David. Matthew's Jewish interests also come through in his understanding of the Law. In this gospel, Jesus specifically states that he did not come to destroy but to fulfill the Law. The writer of this gospel wanted to convince the Jews that Jesus was, indeed, the long-awaited Messiah.
Yet, Matthew didn't hesitate to hold the religious authorities to a high standard. He alone has John the Baptist denounce the Pharisees and scribes (right in the beginning) as a "brood of vipers." Time after time, Matthew presents the authorities as standing over against Jesus -- they call him possessed, plot to destroy him, and are unable to read the signs of the times. Jesus calls them murderers of the prophets. He condemns them for falling short on their responsibilities, not only in their teachings but also for who they are. It is no wonder that the tension between them stood out.
Matthew is also the only gospel that uses the word church – and he uses it twice! One passage occurs in the context of Peter's confession at Caesarea, the other in what has become known as the Matthew Code (the three-step procedure for treatment of a sinning brother). This probably reflects the priority of the church at the time this gospel was written. Most scholars estimate this might have been around 80 CE when the church had already attained considerable prominence and stature in the life of a Christian.
Scholars have multiple ways of organizing this gospel. One common way is to divide it according to the five discourses; others relate it to segments regarding Jesus' life. We will use three divisions: Introduction to Jesus – 1:1-4:11; Jesus' Ministry to Israel – 4:12-16:12; and Jesus' Passion and Resurrection – 16:13-28:20.
I – 1:1-4:11 – Introduction to Jesus
- 1:1-25
- Genealogy
- 1:1
- Introduction – Son of David
- 1:2-17
- Family record
- Organized in three divisions of fourteen generations each
- 1:18-21
- Announcement of the conception of Jesus
- Mary was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit
- Joseph was a righteous man and took her to him
- 1:22-25
- Birth of Jesus
- This all happened in fulfillment of prophecy
- 2:1-23
- Wise Men and Herod
- 2:1-11
- Visit by Wise Men to Herod
- They followed star, inquired of "King of the Jews"
- (Herod was the "king" at that time)
- Herod sent them to look for the child and told them to "report back to him"
- 2:12
- Worship of Jesus and presentation of gifts by Magi
- They were warned not to return to Herod
- 2:13-15
- Joseph is told in a dream to go to Egypt
- 2:16-18
- Herod's fury
- Massacre of baby boys
- 2:19-23
- Death of Herod and family's return
- Joseph was told to bring family back to Nazareth
- Another reference to prophecy
- 3:1-17
- John the Baptist
- 3:1-6
- Introduction to John the Baptist
- 3:7-12
- Warning to the religious leaders
- Accuses them of hypocrisy (You brood of vipers!)
- Day of Messiah is at hand
- 3:13-17
- Baptism of Jesus
- Jesus lays claim to being Messiah
- Descent of the Holy Spirit, opening of the heavens
- 4:1-11
- Temptation in the Wilderness
- Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit
- Tempted three times, quoted Deuteronomy three times
- After 40 days, angels ministered to him
II – 4:12-16:12 – Jesus' Ministry to Israel
- 4:12-25
- Galilean Ministry
- 4:12-16
- Imprisonment of John the Baptist
- Jesus returned to Capernaum (fulfillment of prophecy)
- 4:17
- 4:18-22
- Commissioning of the disciples
- 4:23-25
- Summary of Jesus' ministry in Galilee
- 5:1-7:27
- First major discourse – Sermon on the Mount
- 5:1-2
- 5:3-12
- Eight Beatitudes
- Blessed from God's perspective
- The poor in spirit, sorrowing, meek, and hungering
- Those who are merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, and persecuted
- 5:13-16
- Salt and light
- The commission to the disciples
- Let your light shine
- 5:17-20
- Fulfilling the law and the prophets
- Jesus' commitment to the teachings of Old Testament
- 5:21-48
- Jesus' six commands (Sometimes called Jesus' antitheses)
- "You have heard it said….but I say to you…"
- 5:21-26
- 5:27-30
- 5:31-32
- 5:33-37
- On the taking of oaths/truthfulness of every word
- 5:38-42
- An eye for an eye/nonviolent resistance
- 5:43-48
- 6:1-34
- Acts of righteousness
- 6:1-4
- On giving alms
- Do it in secret, be rewarded openly
- 6:5-15
- Prayer
- 6:5-6
- Pray in secret, be rewarded openly
- 6:7-13
- 6:14-15
- Solemn statement on forgiveness
- You will be forgiven as you forgive
- 6:15-18
- On fasting
- Fast in secret, be rewarded openly
- 6:19-21
- Store up treasures in heaven, not on earth
- 6:22-23
- The eye is the lamp of the body
- 6:24
- The inability to serve two masters
- 6:25-34
- Reasons not to worry
- 6:25-30
- Trusting God for provisions
- Birds neither reap nor sow
- God cares for them, yet are not people more important than birds?
- God clothes the lilies, yet are not people more important than lilies?
- 6:31-34
- Heavenly Father knows our needs
- Seek first the kingdom of God
- Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow
- 7:1-5
- Do not judge
- Moats and beams/sawdust and logs
- 7:6
- Need for discernment – no pearls to pigs
- 7:7-11
- Ask and it shall be given
- 7:12
- Summation of Law and the Prophets
- 7:13-27
- Conclusion and commitment
- 7:13-14
- 7:15-20
- Good and bad trees that can only bear good or bad fruit
- 7:21-23
- Rejection of false prophets
- 7:24-27
- Houses built on sand or rocks
- 7:28-29
- Crowds marveled at Jesus' authority
- 8:1-10:4
- Stories of healing
- 8:1-4
- 8:5-13
- Healing of a centurion's servant
- 8:14-15
- Healing of Peter's mother-in-law
- 8:16-17
- Multitudes came for healing
- "And he healed them all."
- 8:18-22
- 8:23-27
- 8:28-34
- Exorcising two men in the region of the Gadarenes
- 9:1-8
- Healing the paralytic and forgiving his sins
- 9:9
- The call of Matthew from his tax collector's booth
- Because he was working on behalf of the Romans, the Jews hated him
- 9:10-13
- 9:14-17
- A query and a response on fasting
- Old and new garments/wineskins
- 9:18-34
- Healings
- 9:18-26
- Raising of Jairus' daughter and healing of the woman with hemorrhage
- 9:27-31
- 9:32-34
- 9:35-38
- Summary statement of healing and preaching
- Sees the need for more workers (the harvest is great)
- Asks disciples to pray
- 10:1-4
- Commissioning of the Twelve
- (They were the answer to their own prayers)
- 10:5-11:1
- Second Discourse -- Mission
- 10:5-16
- Instructions regarding their ministry
- Commission to go to the "lost house of Israel"
- (Gentiles and Samaritans were excluded at this point)
- 10:17-20
- Spirit will guide them, speak through them
- 10:21-25
- Disciples will suffer persecutions, betrayal even from their own families
- They will suffer just as Jesus has already suffered
- 10:26-31
- Disciples have no reason to fear
- Those who fear God have no need to fear men
- God will provide for their care
- 10:32-39
- Qualities of being a disciple
- They must adhere to the gospel message
- They must be committed to Jesus
- 10:40-11:1
- Encouragement and expansion
- Anyone who receives you receives me
- Jesus went on from there to the towns of Galilee
- 11:2-13:53
- Rising opposition to Jesus
- 11:2-19
- Jesus and John the Baptist
- John questions whether Jesus is the "one who was to come"
- Jesus responded with "the blind see; the lame walk…"
- Jesus endorsed John's work
- Jesus recognized that people were still hesitant to follow either him or John
- 11:20-24
- Woes on all the unrepentant cities
- 11:25-30
- Jesus praised the Father for his acceptance of "these little ones"
- Jesus had come to reveal the Father
- Jesus invited all to come to him
- 12:1-14
- Sabbath concerns
- 12:1-8
- Jesus' disciples picked grain on a Sabbath
- Pharisees complain
- Jesus responded that "the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath"
- 12:9-14
- Healing of man with withered hand (on a Sabbath)
- Pharisees went out to plot his death
- 12:15-21
- Jesus is the servant that had been prophesied
- 12:22-37
- Accusations against Jesus
- 12:22-24
- Healing of demon-possessed man
- 12:25-29
- Pharisees accuse Jesus of being in league with Beelzebub
- 12:30-32
- Those who blaspheme against the Spirit cannot be forgiven
- 12:33-37
- There is a connection between words and actions
- Good trees give good fruit
- 12:38-42
- Continued confrontations
- Pharisees request a sign
- Jesus gives "sign of Jonah"
- 12:43-50
- Random sayings on doing the Father's will
- 13:1-53
- Third Discourse – Parables of the Kingdom
- 13:1-9
- Parable of the farmer who sowed seed
- 13:10-17
- Reasons for speaking in parables
- 13:18-23
- Jesus explains the parable of the sower and seeds
- 13:24-30
- Parable of the tares and wheat
- 13:31-33
- Parable of the mustard seed and leaven
- 13:34-35
- Purpose of parables is in fulfillment of prophecy
- 13:36-43
- Explanation of parable of the weeds
- 13:44-48
- More parables about what is truly of value
- 13:50-53
- More explanations of parables
- 13:54-19:2
- Continued opposition and polarization
- 13:54-58
- 14:1-12
- Herod's execution of John the Baptist
- 14:13-21
- Feeding of the five thousand
- This was for the Jews
- 14:22-33
- 14:34-36
- A summary statement of Jesus' healing ability
- 15:1-20
- Pharisaical opposition
- Pharisees accuse Jesus of breaking tradition of the elders
- Jesus declared all foods clean
- 15:21-31
- Jesus' encounter with the Gentile woman
- Jesus declared it was not right to take bread from children
- Woman said even the dogs get crumbs from the table
- 15:32-39
- Feeding of the four thousand
- This feeding is thought to have been for the Gentiles
- 16:1-4
- Pharisees ask for a sign
- Jesus told them none would be given
- (Let us not forget this request follows the two feedings)
- 16:5-12
- Warning to the disciples about the leaven of the Pharisees
III -- 16:13-28:20 – Jesus' Passion and Resurrection
- 16:13-20
- Peter confessed that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God
- 16:21-28
- The first passion prediction
- Peter rebuked Jesus for saying such a thing
- Jesus responded with more instructions re discipleship
- 17:1-8
- Jesus is transfigured on the mountain
- Peter, James, and John witnessed this
- 17:9-13
- Jesus instructed them on the importance of Elijah
- 17:14-21
- Disciples were unable to heal the epileptic boy
- Jesus told his disciples they needed "faith as small as a mustard seed"
- 17:22-23
- The second passion prediction
- The disciples were filled with grief
- 17:24-27
- Jesus was asked about paying temple tax
- Jesus told Peter to get tax from fish's mouth
- 18:1-35
- Fourth Discourse – Discipline in the Church
- Disciples must become like little children
- They can never cause anyone to sin
- Parable of the lost sheep
- How to treat a sinning brother
- Institution of "Matthew code"
- Disciples must forgive "seventy-times seven"
- Parable of the ungrateful servant
- Master forgave his debt, but he refused to forgive a debt from another
- Servant was required to pay full amount
- 19:1-2
- 19:3-23:39
- More stories
- 19:3-12
- Teachings on marriage and divorce
- 19:13-15
- The blessing of little children
- 19:16-22
- Story of the rich young man
- The young man went away sad because he had many possessions
- 19:23-30
- Teachings on rewards of the kingdom
- Disciples had left everything to follow Jesus
- 20:1-16
- Parable of the daily workers
- All received the same amount, regardless of length of time worked
- 20:17-19
- 20:20-28
- Two of Jesus' disciples wanted special privileges
- Other ten were quite upset when they found out
- Jesus told them whoever wanted to be first must be last
- 20:29-34
- Healing of two blind men
- They followed Jesus
- 21:1-11
- The triumphal entry into Jerusalem
- People shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David"
- 21:12-17
- Jesus drove out the money-changers at the temple
- 21:18-22
- 21:23-22:46
- Controversies at the temple
- 21:23-27
- Chief priests question Jesus' authority
- Jesus asked who had given authority to John the Baptist
- Chief priests could not answer
- 21:28-32
- Parable of the two sons (I won't and I will)
- Tax collectors and prostitutes will avail themselves of the kingdom
- 21:33-46
- Parable of the wicked tenants
- They killed the landowner's son
- Chief priests began to look for a way to arrest him
- 22:1-14
- Parable of the wedding banquet
- Invited guests had excuses; servants gathered all from outside
- 22:15-22
- Pharisees asked about paying taxes to Caesar
- Jesus answered, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's
- 22:23-33
- Sadducees asked about marriage after the resurrection
- The crowds were astonished at his teachings
- 22:34-40
- The two greatest commandments
- Love the Lord with all your heart; love your neighbor as yourself
- 22:41-46
- Jesus asked the Pharisees about the Son of David
- From that day on, no one dared to ask him any more questions
- 23:1-36
- Woes against the teachers of the law and the Pharisees
- 23:1-12
- Teachers cannot just speak the law, they must live the law
- 23:13-32
- Seven Woes
- Pharisees had failed to respond to Jesus as the Messiah
- They emphasized the letter rather than the spirit of the law
- They had misinterpreted Scripture
- 23:33-39
- Concluding lament over Jerusalem
- 24:1-25:46
- Fifth Discourse – Eschatology
- 24:1-14
- Premonitions of great catastrophes to come
- 24:15-21
- Prediction of the fall of Jerusalem (this had happened in 70CE)
- 24:22-28
- Warnings against false Christs during these troubled times
- 24:29-31
- The coming of the Son of Man
- 24:32-41
- The significance of the turbulence (Birth pangs)
- 24:42-25:46
- Teachings on watchfulness
- 24:42-44
- The homeowner does not know when the thief will break in
- 24:45-51
- The servant does not know what day his master will return
- 25:1-13
- The virgins do not know when the bridegroom will come
- Five were prepared; five were not
- 25:14-30
- The story of the talents as an illustration of activity while disciples are awaiting the end of the kingdom
- One was given five, another two, and another one
- The first two doubled their money; the third did not and lost what little he had been given
- 26:1-28:20
- Jesus' passion and resurrection
- 26:1-4
- Fourth passion prediction
- While Jesus was speaking, the chief priests were plotting how to arrest him
- 26:5-13
- Anointing at Bethany
- Disciples were upset, but Jesus said, "Do this in memory of her"
- 26:14-16
- Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty silver coins
- 26:17-19
- Jesus instructed disciples to prepare for the Passover
- 26:20-25
- Jesus predicted the betrayal J
- udas said, "Surely, not I?" Jesus replied, "Yes, it is you!"
- 26:26-30
- Jesus took the bread and the cup
- Told his disciples to eat and drink of it
- Then they sang hymns and went to the Mount of Olives
- 26:31-35
- Jesus predicted they would all abandon him and Peter would deny him
- They all promised to "die" with him and to "never disown" him
- 26:36-46
- Jesus prayed in the garden of Gethsemane
- He prayed, "Not my will, but thine be done"
- The disciples could not stay awake to watch with him
- 26:47-56
- Jesus was arrested
- This was necessary so that Scripture would be fulfilled
- All the disciples deserted him, just as he had prophesied
- 26:57-68
- Jesus was taken before the Sanhedrin
- False witnesses were produced
- The high priest declared him to have blasphemed
- Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists
- 26:69-75
- Peter followed at a distance
- Peter denied knowing him three times
- When the rooster crowed, Peter remembered
- Jesus' prediction and wept
- 27:1-2
- Sanhedrin sentenced Jesus to death, sent him to Pilate
- 27:3-10
- Judas, filled with regret, hanged himself
- 27:11-26
- Jesus stood before Pilate
- Pilate asked if he was "King of the Jews"
- Jesus replied, "It is as you say"
- Pilate offered to free one prisoner – Jesus or Barabbas
- Crowd chose Barabbas
- Pilate had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified
- 27:27-31
- Soldiers mocked and spit on Jesus
- 27:32-44
- Crucifixion
- People mocked Jesus while he was hanging on the cross
- "He saved others, but he can't save himself"
- Two robbers were crucified with Jesus
- Robbers also heaped insults on him
- 27:45-50
- Jesus dies on the cross
- From the sixth to the ninth hour, darkness came over the land
- Then Jesus cried out…and gave up his spirit
- 27:51-56
- Cosmic response to Jesus' death
- Curtain of the temple was torn in two
- Huge earthquake, tombs were opened; people were raised
- Women were watching from a distance
- 27:57-61
- Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for permission to bury Jesus
- Mary Magdalene and others were watching
- 27:62-66
- A guard was placed at the tomb
- 28:1-7
- After the Sabbath, Mary Magdalene (and others) went to the tomb
- They saw an angel sitting there
- He told them to go quickly and tell the disciples
- "Jesus has gone before you into Galilee. There you will see him."
- 28:8-10
- Jesus met the women on their way to the disciples
- They worshiped him
- 28:11-15
- Guards reported resurrection to chief priests
- They bribed them to say that disciples stole the body during the night
- 28:16-17
- The eleven remaining disciples go to Galilee and see Jesus
- 28:18-20
- Jesus commissioned them to go into all the world
- He promised to be with them until the end of the age
Obviously these closing words have been the goal of the entire gospel. In this final commissioning, Jesus assured them of his power and of his presence. On that basis they were to go and make disciples of all the nations, teaching them to obey everything Jesus had commanded. To do what Jesus had commanded is to do the will of the Father. It is through that final promise that we participate in that blessing of power and presence.
Bibliography
1Mounce, Robert. "Matthew." New International Biblical Commentary. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, Inc. 1991, p3.
Barclay, William. "Matthew." Daily Study Bible. Philadelphia, PA: Westminster Press, 1975.
Hare, Douglas. "Matthew." Interpretation. Louisville, KY: John Knox Press, 1993.
Gaebelein, Frank. "Matthew." Expositor's Bible Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing, 1985.
Mills, Watson and Richard Wilson. Mercer Commentary on the Bible. Macon, GA: Mercer University Press, 1995.
Smith, Robert. "Matthew." Augsburg Commentary on the New Testament. Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House, 1989.
Wilkins, Michael. "Matthew." The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2004. |
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