MATTHEW
Context
Matthew was a tax collector before Jesus called him to be a disciple - talk about a career change! He wrote this Gospel primarily for Jewish readers, which is why he's constantly showing how Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecies. It's like he's saying, "Look, this is the Messiah you've been waiting for!"
Written around 50-70 AD, this Gospel bridges the Old and New Testaments effectively. Matthew shows that Jesus isn't some new idea - He's the fulfillment of everything God promised throughout Israel's history. It's a comprehensive introduction to who Jesus is and why He matters.
Summary
The King Arrives (Ch. 1-4)
Matthew starts with a genealogy that connects Jesus to King David and Abraham - he's establishing Jesus' royal credentials. Then we get the birth story, the wise men, Herod's paranoia, and Jesus' baptism. It's like the opening credits of an epic movie, setting up who this main character really is.
The Sermon on the Mount (Ch. 5-7)
This is Jesus' most famous teaching, and it's revolutionary. He's not just giving rules - He's describing what life in God's kingdom looks like. Blessed are the poor in spirit? Love your enemies? This was completely upside-down thinking for people used to religious legalism.
Miracles and Parables (Ch. 8-25)
Jesus heals people, feeds thousands, walks on water, and tells stories that make people think. But not everyone gets it - even His disciples are confused sometimes. The religious leaders are getting more and more threatened by this guy who's challenging their authority.
The Cross and Resurrection (Ch. 26-28)
The story takes a dark turn as Jesus is betrayed, arrested, and crucified. But this isn't the end - it's actually the beginning. The resurrection proves that Jesus really is who He claimed to be, and now He's commissioning His followers to spread this good news to the whole world.
Practice Questions & Answers
The genealogy serves specific literary and theological functions. It establishes Jesus' legal claim to Davidic kingship through Joseph's line, which was crucial for Jewish readers expecting a royal Messiah. The inclusion of women and foreigners in the genealogy suggests a broader scope than traditional Jewish expectations, indicating a universal rather than exclusively ethnic messianic mission.
The Sermon presents an alternative ethical framework that contrasts with both Roman imperial values and contemporary Jewish legal interpretations. Jesus' teachings reverse conventional power dynamics and establish internal motivation rather than external compliance as the standard for righteousness. The sermon functions as a constitution for the alternative community Jesus is establishing.
The disciples' confusion serves multiple narrative purposes. It demonstrates the difficulty of understanding Jesus' message, provides opportunities for clarification, and shows the gradual nature of spiritual comprehension. Their confusion also makes the text more accessible to readers who might share similar struggles with complex theological concepts.
Parables function as a pedagogical tool that requires active engagement from listeners. They create a filtering mechanism - those willing to invest mental effort gain understanding, while casual listeners remain confused. This selective revelation serves to distinguish committed followers from merely curious observers, creating a form of natural selection among Jesus' audience.
Matthew concludes with the Great Commission, which extends the narrative beyond Jesus' resurrection to include ongoing mission. This ending transforms the Gospel from a historical account into an ongoing story that includes the reader's participation. The commission establishes the church's role in continuing Jesus' work rather than simply commemorating past events.