MATTHEW: THE GOSPEL OF THE MESSIAH
Matthew’s Relationship to the Gospels of Mark and Luke
Matthew was probably penned between the writing of Mark and Luke, i.e., the second Gospel written. Mark is essentially a Roman Gospel. The word “straightway” (immediately) is often used and like the ancient Romans, Mark moves quickly along and gets things done! Mark presents the life of a powerful Savior. Luke is basically a Gospel for the Greek and relates the grace of a perfect Savior. John is a universal Gospel. This sublime book presents our Lord Jesus Christ as the object of belief. John emphasizes the possession of a personal Savior. Matthew is uniquely the Gospel of the Messiah to the Jews. It is the Gospel of the Messiah and teaches the promise of a predicted Savior.
Matthew’s Genealogy Relationship to Luke’s Genealogy
Matthew presents Joseph’s legal lineage while Luke relates Mary’s real lineage. All of the royal rights of messianic rulership came to Christ from his stepfather Joseph while His impeccable humanity came through Mary via the Virgin Birth.
Groups of “Fives” Predominate in this Gospel
Remember, Matthew (Levi – his Hebrew name) was a tax-collector and accustomed to working with numbers (five in Biblical numerology is the number of grace). Our Lord teaches five corrections concerning the Law of Moses (Chapter 25). He also teaches five parables of fives. Matthew records five questions asked of the Messiah (Chapters 21-22).
The author was “Levi” who was given the Christian name of Matthew, which means “praised of God.” He was a very educated individual but didn’t have any academic arrogance, as witnessed in his tremendous burden for the lost sheep of Israel. The divinely-inspired tax-collector makes more mention of money than any other Gospel writer, reminding us that all we possess is on loan from God. Please remember, this Gospel presents “Jesus of Nazareth” as the Messiah.
Matthew’s Use of The Old Testament
He refers to it 130 times, and cites 25 out of the total 39 books. He refers to Deuteronomy 27 times, the Psalms 29 times and Isaiah 26 times. Fifty-three are direct quotes, 35 of which were uttered by our Lord Jesus Christ. Our author alludes to the Old Testament 76 times, 54 of which were alluded to by our Lord. This Gospel is absolutely steeped in the Old Testament.
The Outline of the Gospel of Matthew
The Prophetic Ministry of the Messiah (Chapter 1:1 – 16:20)
The Emphasis on His Person (Chapter 1:1 – 4:16)
The Emphasis on His Presentation (Chapter 4:17 – 16:20)
The Priestly Ministry of the Messiah (Chapter 16:21 – 28:20)
The Emphasis Again on His Person (Chapter 16:21 – 20:34)
The Emphasis Again on His Presentation (Chapter 21:1 – 28:20)
In Matthew 1:1 through 4:16, we see the Person of the Messiah and a six-fold attestation to our Lord’s Deity.
1. By His Descent or Genealogy (1:1-17).
2. By His Divine Origin (1:18-25).
3. By the Scripture (2:1-23).
4. By John the Baptist (3:1-12).
5. By the Godhead (3:13-17).
6. By the Temptation (4:1-16).
Emphasis on His Presentation is found in the following:
1. Jesus presents Himself as Messiah by his works (4:18-25).
a. He calls a group unto Himself (4:18-22).
b. His works of healing (4:23-25).
2. Jesus presents Himself as Messiah by his words (5:1 – 7:29). This section is known as “The Sermon on the Mount”. Chapter 5 begins with “The Beatitudes” which emphasize the character of the citizens of the 1,000 years of the kingdom of heaven on the earth (5:1-10). A person of real virtue and character fulfills the requirements of life during the Millennium, which are:
1. Humility and submission (1-3).
2. Sorrow for lack of Godliness (4).
3. Meekness (5).
4. Motivation for righteousness (6-10).
Opposition towards the citizens of the kingdom is seen in Chapter 5:11-12, and the responsibilities of the citizens is noted in Chapter 5:13-16. The application of the law involves all citizens of the kingdom whether they are saved or unsaved, Chapter 5:17-48).
The practices of the citizens of the Millennium are taught in Matthew 6:
1. Giving (6:1-4).
2. Prayer (6:5-15).
3. Fasting (6:16-18).
4. Eternity’s Values (6:19-24).
5. “Don’t worry about it!” (6:25-34).
The general injunctions of Chapter 7 begins with:
1. Don’t judge (hypocritically, 7:1-5).
2. The value of the sacred (7:6).
3. The basis of receiving (7:7-12).
4. Entrance into the kingdom (7:12-14).
5. The need to beware (7:15-23).
6. How to hear (7:24-28 as compared to James 2:4).
Our Lord switches back to the presentation of His Messiahship by his works in Chapter 8:1 through 9:34. His works testified to His words:
1. Christ heals a leper (8:1-4).
2. Christ heals a Centurion’s slave (8:5-13).
3. Christ heals Peter’s mother-in-law (8:14-17).
4. The issue of following Christ (8:18-22).
5. Christ teaches His disciples (8:23-27).
6. Christ heals two demon-possessed individuals (8:28-34).
7. Chapter 9 continues the “works emphasis” with Christ healing a man with palsy (9:1-8).
8. Christ calls Matthew (9:9-17).
9. Christ demonstrates His power over death (9:18-26).
10. Christ heals the blind and speechless (9:27-34).
11. Christ needs workers (9:35-38).
Others Attest to the Messiahship of the Prophet (Matthew 9:35 – 10:42).
1. His own in their call (9:35-38).
2. His own in their commission (10:1-33).
3. His own in their cross-bearing (10:34-42).
Opposition to the Messiah is seen in Chapters 11 and 12. Our Lord is rejected by the nation and so begins dealing with the individuals:
1. John the Baptist’s opposition (11:1-19).
2. Opposition to Christ’s preaching (11:20-24).
3. The promise of “rest” (11:25-30).
4. Religious Opposition (Chapter 12).
a. The “shewbread” example (12:1-14).
b. The public questioning (12:15-29).
c. The kingdom again offered (12:30).
d. The “unpardonable sin” (12:31-37).
e. The request for a sign (12:38-40).
f. The spiritual over the physical (12:46-50).
Again, we see Matthew emphasizing the presentation of the Messiah by His (Christ’s) words (13:1-51). There are five parables in these verses. Our Lord taught that parables reveal truth (13:11) and hide truth (13:12). They also fulfill prophecy (13:14-15), quoting Isaiah 6:9-15. Matthew 13 is not a description of the Church Age, but rather, it refers to an extended period of time between Messiah’s rejection and His future acceptance. This chapter constitutes a summary of the period from rejection to recognition. This summary begins with:
1. The Parable of the Sower (13:1-25).
2. The Parable of the Weeds and Wheat (13:26-30).
3. The Parables of Mustard and Yeast (13:32-43).
4. The Parables of Treasure and a Pearl (13:44-46).
5. The Parable of the Net (13:47-52).
6. Problems of Not Honoring Your Own “Prophet” (13:53-58).
Chapter 14 emphasizes the presentation of the “Messiah-Prophet” by His works:
1. The Death of John the Baptist (14:1-12).
2. The Feeding of the 5,000 (14:13-21).
3. Jesus Walks on Water (14:22-36).
In the last section (15:1 – 16:20) of our first main division of Matthew, i.e., the prophetic ministry of the Messiah with the emphasis on His presentation (4:17 – 16:20), we now note the opposition of the religious crowd:
1. The opposition of religious traditionalism (15:1-20).
2. The opposition of works (15:21-28).
3. The opposition of materialism (15:29-39).
4. The opposition of the sign-seekers (16:1-4).
5. The opposition of unbelief (16:5-12).
6. The opposition of incorrect opinion (16:13-20).
The second main division of Matthew concerns itself with the priestly ministry of the Messiah (16:21 – 28:20). Again, we see the emphasis on His Person (16:21 – 20:34), then the emphasis on His presentation (21:1 – 28:20):
1. The Person of the Messiah-Priest in relationship to His death, resurrection and glorification (16:21 – 17:13).
2. His Person as the Object of Triumphant faith (17:14-23).
3. His Person as the Example of Paying Taxes (17:15-27).
4. His Person as the Example of Greatness (humility) (18:1-9).
5. His Person as the Example in Seeking the Lost (18:10-14).
6. His Person as the Example of what to do when a Fellow Believer Sins Against Us (18:15-20).
7. His Person as the Example of Forgiving Others (18:21-35).
8. His Person (character) as the Example for Marriage and Family (19:1-15).
9. His Person as the Example of Proper Priorities (19:16-30).
10. His Person as the Example of Humility (20:1-16).
11. His Prediction of His Death (20:17-19).
12. His Person as the Example of Service (20:20-28).
13. His Person as the Example of Compassion (20:29-34).
The Presentation of the Messiah-Priest is seen in Chapters 21-28:
1. His Presentation at the Triumphal Entry (21:1-11).
2. His Presentation at the Temple (21:1-11).
3. His Praying with Faith (21:18-22).
4. His Presentation of His Authority (21:23-27).
5. The Parable of Two Sons (right decisions) (21:28-32).
6. The Parable of the Tenants (Christ as the “cornerstone”) (21:33-46).
7. The Parable of the “Wedding Reception” (22:1-14).
8. His Teaching on Paying Taxes (22:15-22).
9. His Teaching on Marriage and the Resurrection (22:23-33).
10. His Teaching on Loving God (22:34-40).
11. His Teaching on the Deity of the “Messiah-Priest” (22:41-46).
12. His Vitriolic Condemnation of Religion (23:1-39).
13. His Doctrine Concerning the Signs of the End of the Jewish Age (24:1-35).
14. His Doctrine Concerning the Time of the End of the Jewish Age (24:36-51).
15. The Parable of the Ten Virgins (25:1-13).
16. The Parable of the Talents (25:14-30).
17. The Sheep and Goats Judgment (25:31-46).
18. The Crucifixion Conspiracy (26:1-5).
19. The Crucifixion Anointing (26:6-13).
20. Judas Decides to Betray Jesus (26:14-16).
21. The Last Supper Becomes the First Communion Service (26:17-30).
22. The Messiah Predicts Peter’s Denial (26:31-35).
23. Jesus in Gesthemane (26:36-46).
24. Jesus is Betrayed and Arrested (26:47-56).
25. Jesus Appears Before the Jewish Supreme Court (26:47-68).
26. Jesus is Denied by Peter (26:69-74).
27. Judas commits suicide (27:1-10).
28. Jesus and Pilate (27:1-26).
29. Jesus is Ridiculed (27:27-31).
30. Jesus is Crucified (27:32-44).
31. Jesus Dies on the Cross (27:45-56).
32. Jesus is Entomed (27:57-61).
33. Jesus is Imprisoned in the Tomb (27:62-66).
34. Jesus is Resurrected (28:1-10).
35. Jesus is Reported as Being Stolen from the Tomb (28:11-15).
36. Jesus Gives the Great Commission (28:16-20).
