Jesus in Matthew:

The Prophesied Messiah

• Levi Matthew– One of the apostles– Had been a tax-collector– Highly educated• OT quotes use Greek, Hebrew, & Aramaic

Author

B a c k g ro u n d

• Likely Jews– Jewish focus– OT emphasis - fulfilled prophecy– Untranslated Aramaic (5:22, 6:24, 27:6)– Jewish customs (Matt 27:6)– Bilingual OT citations

Recipients

B a c k g ro u n d

• Place uncertain, but likely Antioch– Jewish center & base for Gentile outreach– First clear mention by Ignatius of Antioch

• Date uncertain– Before AD 70 – Temple still standing (5:23-24)– Before AD 63 – Luke used Matthew• Luke written before Paul’s death in AD 63

Place & Date

B a c k g ro u n d

• None directly stated• Clues:– Explanation of prophecy - apologetic– Careful arrangement of material - teaching

Purpose

"To demonstrate that Jesus is the foretold Messiah and to systematically present His teachings."

B a c k g ro u n d

The Davidic King

T h e m e s"King" "Kingdom"0

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The Davidic King

T h e m e s

• Authority– Jesus taught with authority (7:29)– Gives authority to disciples (10:1)– Discussion of Jesus’ authority (21:23-27)– Holds “all authority” (28:18)*

*Unique to Matthew

The Davidic King

T h e m e s

• Beginning*– Trace & emphasize royal lineage (chap. 1)– Sought as king by magi (2:2)– Opposed as king by Herod (2:3-4)

• During ministry– Miracles prove presence of kingdom (12:28)– Triumphal entry as king (21:5)– IDs self as king in parable of sheep & goats (25:31-46)*

*Unique to Matthew

The Davidic King

T h e m e s

• Crucifixion– IDs self as king at trial (27:11)– Mocked as king (27:29)– Sign at crucifixion (27:37)

“That it might be fulfilled”

T h e m e s

• Prediction: Isa 9:1-2 & Matt 4:14• Analogy– Events: Hos 11:1 & Matt 2:15; Jer 31:15 & Matt 2:18– Words: Isa 11:1, 53:2 & Matt 2:23

• Give fuller meaning– Of rituals: Matt 3:15– Of commands: Matt 5:18

“That it might be fulfilled”

T h e m e s

And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, "Out of Egypt I called my son."Mat 2:14-15

When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. The more they were called, the more they went away; they kept sacrificing to the Baals and burning offerings to idols.Hos 11:1-2

Israel out of Egypt

Believers out of sinJesus out of Egypt

Gentile Inclusion

T h e m e s

• Names of Gentile women in Christ's genealogy (1:3, 5, 6)• The coming of the Gentile Magi (2:1-12)• Rejection of physical descendants of Abraham (3:6)• “Galilee of the Gentiles” (4:12-16)• The Roman centurion (8:5-13)• Prophecy (12:15 [Isa 42:4])• Canaanite woman (Matt 15:21-28)• Proclamation by Roman centurion and guards (27:54)• Great Commission (28:19-20)

Emmanuel, “God with us”

T h e m e s

• Inclusio– Matt 1:23, Emmanuel– Matt 28:20, Great Commission

• Other references– Matt 8:23-27, in the storm– Matt 10:40, receiving disciple = receiving Jesus– Matt 17:17, helping the disciples’ failure– Matt 18:20, when united in prayer

Matthew’s message

T h e m e s

Jesus is the foretold Messiah…- He is God fellowshipping with us- He fills all of history full of meaning- His mission is unlimited

…and we must heed His teachings.