THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW A Bible Study Guide David L. Keys
[email protected] The Gospel of Matthew Τὸ κατὰ Ματθαῖον εὐαγγέλιον INTRODUCTION Written in a polished Semitic "synagogue Greek", the author draws on three main sources: 1. the Gospel of Mark, 2. the hypothetical collection of sayings known as the “Q source”, and 3. the material unique to his own community, called the “M source” or "Special Matthew". The divine nature of Jesus was a major issue for the Matthaean community in the early Christian community. It is the crucial component in distinguishing them from their Jewish neighbors. While Mark begins with baptism and transfiguration, Matthew goes back further, showing Jesus as the Son of God from his birth, and emphasizing the fulfillment of Old Testament messianic prophecies (1:22; 2:15,23; 4:14;5:17; 8:17; 12:17; 13:14,35; 21:4; 27:9). The title, Son of David, identifies Jesus as the healing and miracle-working Messiah of Israel (it is used exclusively in relation to miracles). As Son of Man he will return to judge the world, a fact his disciples recognize but of which his enemies are unaware. As Son of God he is God revealing himself through his son, and Jesus proving his divinity through his obedience and example. The gospel reflects the struggles and conflicts between the evangelist's community and the other Jews, particularly with its severe criticism of the Scribes and Pharisees. Prior to the Crucifixion the Jews are called Israelites, the honorific title of God's chosen people; after it, they are called Jews, a sign that through their rejection of the Christ the "Kingdom of Heaven" has been taken away from them and given instead to the Christian Church.