Introduction to the Book of Matthew

Setting and Authorship

Jesus was highly regarded early in His ministry as being a wise person, which attracted many followers who often surrounded Him as He traveled. Jesus also chose a few men to be His disciples, a smaller group that is frequently referred to by scholars as, “the inner circle,” of twelve individuals that traveled with Him. These followers and disciples were from a variety of education and work experience backgrounds. 

In the New Testament the area previously known as the Southern Kingdom (Judah) was a province of the Roman Empire known as Judea (the Northern Kingdom would have been in the Roman province of Syria). The Empire at that time was vast and was able to maintain order mainly through military might and constant oppression of its people. One such form of oppression was Rome’s extensive and brutal tax system, which typically employed several layers of public contractors and sub-contractors, each adding ‘surcharges’ for themselves to the already high tax rate. These ‘publicani’, as they were called in Latin (Greek ‘telōnēs’),^[1] not only collected the money, they were often relentless and hard-nosed in their collection efforts, making them social outcasts and truly hated among the majority of Rome’s citizens. In the gospels we read that the Jews living in the Roman Empire associated the tax collectors with sinners, prostitutes, and Gentiles (see Matthew 9:10-11; 11:19; 18:17; 21:31-32; Mark 2:15-16; Luke 5:30; 7:34; 15:1).

The book of Matthew does not state who the author is, early church tradition attributes Matthew (also known as Levi), one of Jesus’ twelve disciples, as being the author (see Matthew 9:9; Mark 2:14; Acts 1:13). Matthew, a Jew, was also a tax collector making him even more despised by his fellow Jewish brethren. Many point out that since he may have been a humble man as he does not identify himself in the narrative. Plus, since he was a “public official,” many believe he used a form of short-hand to take notes allowing him to record more detail. Although some of the dialogs and details are missing when compared to the other gospel accounts.

The text narrative strongly suggests that it was written before the destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem (70 A.D.), however, there is no absolute evidence, just speculation, as to when this gospel account was written.

Perspective

As pointed out in the introduction, the intended audience of the book of Matthew appears to be those with a Jewish heritage or background, as the author frequently references Old Testament prophecies, protocols, and rituals. Plus, it presents Jesus as the Messiah and true king of the people of Israel, making it the perfect bridge between the Old and New Testaments.

A Source of Several Discourses

The book of Matthew records a number of important discourses of Jesus. Five of the discourses are frequently highlighted and referred to as simply, “The five discourses of Matthew.” The following is a short review of these five discourses (the names may vary depending on the commentator).  

Sermon on the Mount

The first discourse (Matthew chapters 5-7), and undoubtedly the most popular (certainly the most quoted), is of a general nature as it applies to all believers. This teaching is considered the central and fundamental instruction on Christian behavior, covering topics such as: how to interact with others; how to pray; the need to love God and others; the need to trust Jesus, etc. Many believe that even though this teaching is only recorded in its entirety here, Jesus may have repeated this discourse several times whenever Scripture doesn’t specify His teaching, such as, “And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction” (Matthew 9:35). 

The Sending Out – The ‘Mission’ Discourse

Matthew chapter 10 records Jesus’ instructions to His twelve disciples to go out to the “lost sheep of the house of Israel,” and tell them that, “the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” They were given authority to do miracles of healing the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, and cast out demons. The disciples were given first-hand experience to evangelize to their fellow Jews, demonstrating the importance of outreach. 

Kingdom Parables – The Role of the Church Discourse

Chapter 13 contains seven parables that talk about the “kingdom of heaven” and how the church, being the earthly representation of that kingdom, needs to evangelize and explains some of the opposition and problems they will encounter during evangelism. Jesus also warns how the church is vulnerable and will be corrupted.

 

Working Together – The Internal Workings of the Church Discourse

Matthew 18 records several parables and other instruction on how Christians should work together and how to deal with those that sin against each other.

Olivet Discourse

This discourse regarding the end times is referred to as the “Olivet Discourse” by scholars because Jesus was with His disciples on Mount Olive (also known as the Mount of Olives) for most of the discussion. The discourse technically begins in chapter 24 and goes through to the end of chapter 25, however the text of chapter 24 is probably better known. Most of this discourse is also recorded in part in Mark and Luke. However, the account written by Luke has some very important distinctive differences to note.

The Great Commission

The last three verses of the book of Matthew contain not only the last instructions given by Jesus in this gospel, they provide the necessary framework and directive on which every Christian should be building their lives on. Jesus said that all authority was given to Him, that means regardless of what you know from the past that was either a priority or even thought to be important, stop. The only things that matter is to listen to Jesus and do as He instructs. These gospels contain His instructions, Christians need to focus on His teaching. To help us understand more fully what that means, He gave every believer a directive, to GO!

Matthew 28:18b-20 states: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” This directive is not just for a select few or specially trained ministers, it is addressed to all Christians. We all have a role in His kingdom, and that role should be a priority, what is your role? While we are to KNOW Him through His Word, so that we can GROW in Him, we should never hesitate to GO for Him! Remember His promise, “I am with you always.”

Outline

I. The birth and childhood of Jesus Christ (1:1-2:23)

A.  Genealogy of Christ (1:1-17)

B.  Birth of Christ (1:18-25)

C.  Visit of the Magi (2:1-12)

D.  Flight into Egypt and massacre of the infants (2:13-18)

E.  Residence at Nazareth (2:19-23)

II. The beginnings of the ministry of Jesus Christ (3:1-4:11)

A.  The forerunner of Christ (3:1-12)

B.  Baptism of Christ (3:13-17)

C.  Temptation of Christ (4:1-11)

III. The ministry of Jesus Christ (4:12-25:46)

A.  In Galilee (4:12-18:35)

1.  Residence at Capernaum (4:12-17)

2.  Call of four disciples (4:18-22)

3.  General survey of the Galilean ministry (4:23-25)

4.  Sermon on the Mount (5:1-7:29)

5.  Ten miracles and related events (8:1-9:38)

6.  Mission of the Twelve (10:1-42)

7.  Christ's answer to John, and related discourse (11:1-30)

8.  Opposition from the Pharisees (12:1-50)

9.   A series of parables on the Kingdom (13:1-58)

10. Withdrawal of Jesus following John's beheading (14:1-36)

11. Conflict with the Pharisees over tradition (15:1-20)

12. Withdrawal to Phoenecia and healing of a Canaanite woman's daughter (15:21-28)

13. Return to the Sea of Galilee and performing of miracles (15:29-38)

14. Renewed conflict with the Pharisees and Sadducees (15:39-16:4)

15. Entering the region of Caesarea Philippi (16:5-17:23)

16. Instruction for the twelve disciples in Capernaum (17:24-18:35)

B.  In Perea (19:1-20:16)

1.  Teaching on divorce (19:1-12)

2.  Blessing of the children (19:13-15)

3.  Interview with a rich young man (19:16-30)

4.  Parable of the laborers in the vineyard (20:1-16)

C.  In Judea (20:17-34)

1.  Another prediction of Christ's death and resurrection (20:17-19)

2.  Ambitious request of Zebedee's sons (20:20-28)

3.  Healing of two blind men (20:29-34)

D.  In Jerusalem (21:1-25:46)

1.  Triumphal Entry (21:1-11)

2.  Cleansing of the Temple (21:12-17)

3.  Cursing of the barren fig tree (21:18-22)

4.  Questioning of Jesus' authority and his parabolic answer (21:23-22:14)

5.  Questioning of Jesus by various groups (22:15-46)

6.  Jesus' public denunciation of the Pharisees (23:1-39)

7.  Olivet Discourse (24:1-25:46)

IV. The Passion of Jesus Christ (26:1-27:66)

A.  Plot against Jesus (26:1-16)

B.  The final meal (26:17-30)

C.  Prediction of Peter's denial (26:31-35)

D.  Events in Gethsemane (26:36-56)

E.  Events at the Jewish trials (26:57-27:2)

F.  Remorse of Judas (27:3-10)

G.  Events at the Roman trials (27:11-31)

H.  The Crucifixion (27:32-56)

I.   Burial (27:32-56)

V. The resurrection of Jesus Christ (28:1-20)

A.  Discovery of the empty tomb (28:1-8)

B.  Appearance of Jesus (28:9,10)

C.  Report of the soldiers (28:11-15)

D.  The Great Commission (28:16-20)

Outline adapted from the Wycliffe Bible Commentary^[2]

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[1] Strong’s Greek 5057.

[2] Pfeiffer, C. F., & Harrison, E. F. (1962). Wycliffe Bible commentary (p. 930). Chicago: Moody P.