Matthew: An Introduction

When studying the Bible, it is always helpful to understand the historical context of the book you are studying. Who wrote the book? When was it written, and where? Why was it written? What issues was the author writing to address? Where does this book fit into the overall history of God’s story? Before we study each book of the Bible, I will provide a brief background and context to the book in order to answer these questions and help your understanding of the book.

Who was Matthew?

Matthew was born a Jew and was named Levi (, ). He was a tax collector () for the Roman government, which made him an unpopular guy with everybody - but especially with the Jews. Nobody liked tax collectors; most of them were corrupt and extorted money out of people. Still, nobody liked them less than the Jews. To be a tax collector was bad enough, but to be working for a Gentile occupying force was the worst of the worst.

What do I mean by that? A gentile was anybody who wasn’t born with Jewish blood - a child of Jewish parents. The Jews considered gentiles to be a lower class of people - dirty people, idolatrous people. Unfortunately for them, at this point in history Israel was under Roman rule. The Gentile nation of Rome were occupying their country, and in effect were their bosses… their rulers. So yes, a Jew working for that filthy, unclean gentile occupying force, and extorting money from the people - including the Jewish population - made Matthew scum in the eyes of his own people.

Where and When Was it Written?

Matthew’s Gospel is estimated to have been written around 37 AD, probably in Palestine. I have already mentioned something about the political situation in the region at the time. By the time Matthew wrote his account of Jesus’ life and ministry, he was a disciple of Jesus; no longer a tax collector and no longer going by the name of Levi. He wasn’t the only one who changed his name after becoming a follower of Jesus - Simon became Peter, Saul became Paul, Levi became Matthew. Their lives were so radically changed when they met Jesus that they turned their back on their old ways. Having a new name was symbolic of their new life.

Why Was it Written?

The words “fulfill” or “fulfilled” appear 26 times in the book of Matthew. As you read, you will often see Matthew saying things like, “this took place to fulfill…” (), “this was to fulfill…” () and “Then was fulfilled…” () and so on. A common theme in Matthew’s writing is that he regularly points out that certain events were fulfilling Old Testament prophecies. He is showing that things that were said and written down in the Old Testament many hundreds and even thousands of years earlier were now happening. Matthew makes more than 60 references to Old Testament scriptures in his book.

Matthew begins his book this way too, showing us an amazing fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. The first chapter might seem boring at first - it looks like it’s just a list of names. But when you look carefully, you will see that Matthew is telling us something really important. With that list of names, which is a genealogy (a family tree), Matthew is proving that Jesus is from the line of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and David.

Why is that important? It is important because God promised throughout the Old Testament to send a Saviour.

The Saviour is first promised in - “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” When Adam and Eve broke God’s commandment, God announced judgement on the whole world through them - they were now cut off from His presence. He also announced a judgement on the Devil who tempted them, which was also a gracious promise to mankind: that one day a descendant of Eve would come, and though the devil will injure him, he would ultimately destroy the devil and his works.

In we are introduced to Abraham. God promised him that his descendants would be a great nation, and that through him, “all the families of the earth would be blessed” (). That promise was renewed again to Abraham’s son Isaac, and Isaac’s son Jacob.

Genesis 3:15 ESV

15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

Bibliography

Vincent, M. R. (1887). Word studies in the New Testament. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons.