Matthew Introduction - KJV (King James Version)
Synopsis:
The Gospel of Matthew presents Jesus as Israel's Messiah. The account alternates between Jesus' activities of healing and casting out demons, and major blocks of his teaching, including the Sermon on the Mount (chs. 5-7), the Parables of the Kingdom (ch. 13), and the Olivet Discourse (chs. 24-25). The Sermon on the Mount includes the Beatitudes (5:3-12) and the Lord's Prayer (6:5-15). The book closes with the Great Commission (28:18-20). A recurring theme is the conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders, culminating in his pronouncement of "seven woes" upon them (ch. 23). As do all four Gospel accounts, Matthew focuses on Christ's three-year ministry and his death and resurrection. Matthew probably wrote his Gospel in the 50s or 60s a.d.
Authorship: Matthew 'Levi'
Main Theme: Jesus is the Messianic King
Date Composed: 50-67 AD (prior the 70 AD destruction of Jerusalem)
- 1st quoted by church father by 110 AD
- Papias (70-155 A.D.), bishop of Hierapolis, wrote that “Matthew collected the oracles in the Hebrew language, and each interpreted them as best he could.”
- Irenaeus of Lyons (130-202 AD) wrote that “Matthew also issued a written gospel among the Hebrews in their own language.”
Simple Outline:
1. The King is Offered (Mt 1-10)
A. Presentation (Ch 1-3)
B. Proclamation (Ch 4-7)
C. Power (Ch 8-10)
2. The King is Rejected (Mt 11-28)
A. Rejection (Ch 11-15)
B. Disciple Prepared (Ch 16-19)
C. Presentation & Rejection (Ch 20-27)
D. Proof of the King (Ch 29)
Sermon on the Mount:
1) The Beatitudes (Mt 5:3-12)
2) Salt & Light (Mt 5:13-16)
3) True Righteousness (Mt 5:17-48)
4) Practice w/o Hypocrisy (Mt 6:1-18)
5) The Christian’s Concern (Mt 6:19-34)
6) Warning against Judgment (Mt 7:1-6)
7) Invitation to Prayer (Mt 7:7-12)
8) The Two Ways (Mt 7:13,14)
9) A tree & its fruit (Mt 7:15-20)
10) Importance of Deeds (Mt 7:21-29)
Unique Notes (not found in other Synoptic Gospels):
- 9x - “that what was spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled” appears
- 2x - References the Church (Mt 16:18; 18:17)
- 32x - “kingdom of heaven”
- Galilee known as “Galilee of the Gentiles”
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