The Message of Matthew

Matthew’s Gospel

Recap: Things we know about Matthew

Tax Collector - Therefore hated by the Jews because it marked him as a traitor

Other name was Levi which was a Greek name furthering his connection to Rome

May have been a brother of another Disciple - Mark identified Matthew as “the son of Alphaeus” (Mk 2:14). The other James among the apostles, was also “the son of Alphaeus” Although nobody else identifies them as brothers.

Had to give up everything to follow Jesus. Unlike Peter and others who were fishermen he could not continue collecting taxes and follow Jesus.

He wrote the Gospel of Matthew. Most likely?

Matthew did not identify himself as the author. In fact that is kind of the theme of Matthew in that nobody is of more importance in the entire gospel than Jesus.

The authorship of the Gospel of Matthew is attributed to him by others, the earliest of these was the Bishop of Hierapolis named Papias around 130 AD.

Due to the fact that Matthew is not a well written about disciple in any of the gospels and nor is much written about him extra Biblically to attribute the authorship to Matthew makes sense. If someone wanted to pass off a fake gospel they would have used Peter or James or John.

The Theme of Matthew is Jesus as the ruling King.

It is written specifically to the Jews and therefore makes the case for Jesus being the true king of the Jews.

Matthew assumes that the reader of his Gospel know the Old Testament scriptures as they are often mentioned or quoted.

Matthew 8:16. Quotes Isaiah

Matthew 12:15-21. Quotes Isaiah

Matthew 5:17-20. Mentions the Law as though the readers should just know it

Matthew 9:11. Hosea 6:6.

Matthew 12:1-6 - Mentions David and then again Hosea

It is first in the New Testament because it was believed to be the first written Gospel but it has since been determined to be written after Mark.

It used Mark as source material and not the other way around. Of Marks 662 verses Matthew uses 600 of them and then expounds.

It is believed that He may have been directly affected by the ministry of John the Baptist prior to his following Jesus.

How do we know Matthew even knew John the Baptist? We don’t but it would be unthinkable for him to not know JB.

For 1 John and his disciples were everywhere and they were well known. There is never a mention of John the Baptist and someone didn’t know him.

Read Mark 12:27–32 He was a prophet, the first prophet in over 400 years.

Read Luke 3:12–13 “Then tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Collect no more than what is appointed for you.””

If Matthew was among the tax collectors that day then the message from John the Baptist to “Collect no more than what is appointed for you.” would have resonated with Matthew deeply. So deeply in fact that when Jesus comes calling he was ready and willing to leave everything behind.

Read Matthew 21:28-32 - Matthew is the only Gospel writer to include this parable and as such it may have held special influence to him. He was a Jew who was trying not to be a Jew. As a Jew he was give the message of a coming messiah and the message of obedience to God and He initially rejected it but when Jesus called, Matthew followed.

Matthews Gospel records Jesus’ life in ways that would have personally affected him.

Debts instead of Sins in the Lords Prayer Matthew 6 - Forgiveness of debts meant more to a former tax collector.

The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant Matthew 18:23-35. Imagine a former Tax Collector and the need to collect taxes at all cost. John Stott says, “In his former life he must have frequently acted ou the role of the servant: Matthew 18:28 “he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’”. This unforgiveness in contrast with God’s gracious forgiveness would have meant much to Matthew.

The Parable of the workers in the Vineyard. Matthew 20:1-16. You can sense the work ethic of Matthew here as he is willing to give up on his heritage in order to make more money and yet it is not about work that the Gospel is found it is about obedience and acceptance. This would have been a lesson in justice and mercy for a man in need of both.

Matthew Record Jesus as the KING - We mentioned this earlier but I want to go into greater depth.

Matthew records “The Kingdom of Heaven” 50 times making this a theme of the Gospel. Obviously Matthew wanted to make sure the reader knew just how important Jesus was and the Kingdom that He brought with Him.

Matthew draws the connection from David to Jesus placing Jesus in the Kingly lineage.

Matthew 1:1, then gives the genealogy to prove it.

Matthew 9:27, 12:23, 15:22, 20:30, 31, 21:9, 15.

It focuses on the spiritual renewal of Israel.

Matthew 15:22-28. together with Matthew 10:5-6. Matthew’s gospel makes it clear that Jesus was here for the people of Israel. Jesus is the messiah who was promised and the king who will bring them victory.

Quote Stott’s closing paragraph. “Matthew’s Gospel is certainly that of the ruling King… But this king is different from all others. He does not rule with distant authority and live in separate splendor. He sits on a throne and judges the Nations (25:31), but only because “he took up our infirmities and carried our diseases” (8:17) He rules as a servant, not with power but with compassion, not in self-protection but in total self-giving. This is the beating heart of Matthew’s Gospel message - the message which drew him from greed and self-service into the life and service of this King.