Project – The Gospel of Matthew

CHAPTER ONE:

INTRODUCTION

• Background to the Study

The Gospel of Matthew is the first book of the New Testament and is traditionally attributed to Matthew, a tax collector who became one of Jesus’ twelve apostles. It is one of the four canonical Gospels and is often regarded as the most Jewish of the Gospels due to its extensive references to Hebrew Scriptures. Written sometime between 70 and 90 AD, it seeks to present Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, emphasizing that Jesus is the Messiah long-awaited by the Jewish people. This Gospel is structured to connect Jesus’ life and teachings directly with the Hebrew Bible, showing that Jesus’ ministry was not a break from the Jewish tradition but a continuation and completion of it.

One of the key themes of Matthew is the Kingdom of Heaven. Unlike the other Gospels, which often speak of the “Kingdom of God,” Matthew consistently uses the term “Kingdom of Heaven” to emphasize the divine rule that is both present in Jesus’ ministry and yet still to be fully realized in the future. This focus on the Kingdom demonstrates Matthew’s interest in portraying Jesus as a king, the fulfillment of Old Testament kingship prophecies. His genealogy in the opening chapter traces Jesus’ lineage back to King David, showing that Jesus is the rightful heir to the throne of Israel. By presenting Jesus as the fulfillment of these royal promises, Matthew offers a vision of Jesus as a King who inaugurates God’s reign on earth.

Another distinctive feature of Matthew’s Gospel is its attention to Jesus’ teaching, particularly through five major discourses, which mirror the structure of the Torah (the first five books of the Bible). This arrangement positions Jesus as a new Moses, offering authoritative teachings that guide his followers. The most famous of these teachings is the Sermon on the Mount (chapters 5-7), where Jesus delivers the Beatitudes and the Lord’s Prayer, among other ethical instructions. The Sermon on the Mount encapsulates many of the moral and spiritual ideals that Matthew highlights: humility, mercy, purity, and peacemaking, all central to the ethic of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Matthew also emphasizes the importance of fulfillment of prophecy. The Gospel is saturated with references to Old Testament prophecies that are said to be fulfilled in Jesus’ life, such as the virgin birth (Matthew 1:22-23), the massacre of the infants (2:16-18), and Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem on a donkey (21:4-5). These fulfillment formulas serve to reassure a Jewish audience that Jesus is indeed the promised Messiah and that his life and ministry are in perfect alignment with God’s plan for Israel. By quoting these prophecies, Matthew seeks to demonstrate that Jesus is not an outsider to Judaism, but the true fulfillment of Israel’s hope.

Matthew’s Gospel also places a strong emphasis on discipleship. In particular, the Gospel highlights the role of the twelve apostles, who are chosen by Jesus to represent the twelve tribes of Israel. Their role is to proclaim the Kingdom of Heaven to the world, both in word and in deed. The narrative of Matthew includes instructions for the disciples on how to live and how to spread the message of the Kingdom. This focus on discipleship is intertwined with themes of authority, obedience, and faith. Jesus commands his followers to spread the Gospel and to make disciples of all nations, a task that is expanded upon in the Great Commission at the end of the Gospel (28:18-20).

Finally, Matthew’s Gospel introduces the tension between Jesus and the religious leaders of Israel. The Pharisees, Sadducees, and scribes are often portrayed in a negative light, as resistant to Jesus’ message and often seeking to discredit him. This conflict is not merely a historical detail; it reflects the struggles of the early Christian community, which was grappling with its relationship to Judaism and Jewish authorities. Matthew uses these confrontations to highlight the difference between the true righteousness that Jesus teaches and the legalistic, outward religiosity of the Pharisees. The clash between the Kingdom of Heaven and the prevailing religious order ultimately leads to Jesus’ crucifixion, which Matthew presents as the pivotal moment in God’s plan for salvation.

• Statement of the Problem

The statement of the problem in the study of the Gospel of Matthew addresses the central question of how Matthew’s Gospel presents the identity of Jesus and his role within the context of Jewish expectations and early Christian theology. Specifically, scholars have wrestled with how to interpret Matthew’s portrayal of Jesus as the Messiah, the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, and the inaugurator of the Kingdom of Heaven. While Matthew explicitly presents Jesus as the fulfillment of the Jewish Scriptures, the question arises of how to reconcile Jesus’ radical teachings and actions with traditional Jewish understandings of the Messiah and the Kingdom.

Additionally, the Gospel of Matthew poses challenges related to the nature of discipleship and the ethical demands placed on followers of Jesus. Matthew’s emphasis on righteousness, obedience, and moral purity raises the issue of how these teachings functioned in the early Christian context, particularly as Matthew’s community began to separate from its Jewish roots. The Gospel seems to assert that true righteousness is not merely adherence to the law but a transformation of the heart, yet this shift would have been a point of contention for both Jewish and Gentile audiences.

Furthermore, Matthew’s treatment of the relationship between Jesus and the Jewish religious leaders raises questions about the nature of the conflict between early Christianity and Judaism. How does Matthew’s portrayal of Pharisees and other Jewish authorities reflect not only historical tensions but also theological developments within the early church? This tension, culminating in Jesus’ crucifixion, points to the complex issues of identity, authority, and the rejection or acceptance of Jesus as the Messiah.

The challenge, then, lies in understanding how Matthew’s Gospel bridges the gap between Jesus as the fulfillment of Jewish hopes and the emergence of a distinct Christian identity. In examining this Gospel, scholars must address the intersection of Jewish messianic expectations, early Christian theology, and the development of ecclesial and social structures within the context of a predominantly Jewish audience that was beginning to grapple with the inclusion of Gentiles.

1.3. Aim and Objectives of the Study

The aim of the study is to examine the Gospel of Matthew. The specific objectives are:

1. To understand the historical and cultural context in which The Gospel of Matthew was written.
2. To analyze the themes and messages conveyed in The Gospel of Matthew.
3. To explore the literary techniques used in The Gospel of Matthew.
4. To examine the portrayal of Jesus and his teachings in The Gospel of Matthew.

1.4. Research Questions

The research questions are buttressed below:

1. What was the historical and cultural context in which The Gospel of Matthew was written?
2. What themes and messages are conveyed in The Gospel of Matthew?
3. What literary techniques are used in The Gospel of Matthew?
4. How is Jesus portrayed and what teachings are emphasized in The Gospel of Matthew?

1.5. Significance of the Study

The significance of studying the Gospel of Matthew lies in its pivotal role in the formation of early Christian identity and doctrine. As the first book of the New Testament, Matthew’s Gospel serves as a foundation for understanding how the early Christian community viewed the life, teachings, and mission of Jesus Christ. By presenting Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, Matthew helps bridge the gap between Jewish expectations of the Messiah and the emerging Christian understanding of Jesus’ role in salvation history. This connection is essential for comprehending how the early church navigated its relationship with Judaism, particularly as it began to develop its distinct theological and ecclesial identity.

One of the most significant contributions of Matthew’s Gospel is its emphasis on Jesus’ teachings and the ethical demands of the Kingdom of Heaven. Through the Sermon on the Mount and other teachings, Matthew presents a vision of righteousness that transcends mere legal adherence and calls for a transformed heart. The ethical teachings of Jesus in Matthew provide the church with a moral compass for living out its faith in the world. These teachings are not only central to Christian discipleship but also speak to broader issues of justice, mercy, humility, and reconciliation that resonate across cultures and time periods, making the Gospel of Matthew relevant for contemporary ethical discussions.

Matthew also highlights the role of the Church and the authority of the apostles. In presenting the Church as the community of the Kingdom of Heaven, Matthew’s Gospel emphasizes the importance of discipleship and the mission of spreading the Gospel. The Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20, where Jesus instructs his followers to make disciples of all nations, is a cornerstone for understanding the global mission of the Christian Church. This has had a profound impact on Christian evangelism, shaping the missionary activity that has been central to Christian expansion throughout history.

The relationship between Jesus and Jewish tradition is another key aspect of Matthew’s Gospel that warrants attention. Matthew’s Gospel provides a nuanced portrayal of Jesus as both deeply rooted in Jewish tradition and yet radically transformative. By linking Jesus’ life to the fulfillment of Hebrew prophecies, Matthew addresses the tension between the continuity and discontinuity of the Old and New Covenants. This makes the Gospel of Matthew a crucial text for understanding the theological and historical development of the Church’s relationship with Judaism, particularly as the early Christian movement began to separate from its Jewish roots and engage with the wider Greco-Roman world.

Moreover, Matthew’s Gospel is instrumental in understanding the early Christian community’s struggles with its Jewish heritage and its interactions with the broader Roman society. The portrayal of Jewish religious leaders, such as the Pharisees and Sadducees, highlights the internal conflicts within the Jewish community and the external challenges faced by early Christians. This conflict provides insight into the social and theological dynamics that led to the eventual divergence between Judaism and Christianity. The Gospel’s treatment of these issues reflects the concerns of Matthew’s community, which likely consisted of Jewish Christians seeking to define their faith in a post-Temple world and amidst rising tensions with non-believing Jews.

Finally, the Gospel of Matthew is of immense historical and theological significance in the context of early Christian writings. It provides a lens through which to understand the evolution of Christian thought and practice, especially in relation to the Kingdom of Heaven, the nature of Jesus’ authority, and the role of the Church. Matthew also serves as a critical source for understanding the ways in which the early Christian community grappled with issues such as the role of women, the inclusivity of Gentiles in the Kingdom, and the nature of salvation. As a result, the study of Matthew is indispensable not only for scholars of the New Testament but also for anyone seeking to understand the historical roots of Christianity and the theological foundations upon which it was built.

1.6. Scope of the Study

The study examines the Gospel of Matthew.

1.7. Operational Definition of Terms

Gospel of Matthew : The Gospel of Matthew is the first book of the New Testament in the Christian Bible. Here’s a breakdown of your request:

Theme: The Gospel of Matthew focuses on presenting Jesus as the Messiah (the anointed one) and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. It emphasizes the Kingdom of Heaven, with a focus on Jesus’ teachings about righteousness, the importance of loving others, and the coming of God’s reign.

Book of the Bible: It’s one of the four Gospels, alongside Mark, Luke, and John, which recount the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Matthew is traditionally attributed to the apostle Matthew, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus.

Message: The central message of Matthew is that Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promises in the Hebrew Scriptures. It highlights that Jesus is not only a teacher, but also the divine Son of God, and it stresses the importance of living according to God’s will, teaching love, mercy, and forgiveness. One of its key passages is the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), which outlines the ethics of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Project – The Gospel of Matthew