1. Matthew records the fulfillment to the OT Messianic prophecies. Matthew breaks the silence of 400 years with “that it might be fulfilled” eleven times (1:22-23; 2:15, 17-18, 23; 4:14-16; 8:17; 12:17-21; 13:35; 21:4-5; 26:56; 27:9-19).
2. Matthew is the first book in the NT. It is the Genesis of the NT. It is the book of a new beginning. It is the gateway to new revelation.
1. The Author is Matthew
A. The book has more references to coins than any other book. Three terms for coins are used. Matthew the tax collector obviously was interested in coins which he handled a great deal.
B. Matthew’s humility shows up in this book. He refers to “Matthew the tax collector.” While Mark and Luke do not use the title of contempt as much.
C. Matthew says after his conversion he had “a dinner” (9:9-10) for his friends. Luke described it as “a great banquet.”
D. Being a tax collector, Matthew had the ability to write and keep records which he reflects when he so precisely records six sermons of Christ. Sixty percent of the book focuses on the teachings of Christ. Alexander Whyte once said, “When Matthew left his job as tax collector to follow Christ, he brought his pen with him.”
2. The Audience is Jewish
A. Matthew writes to the Jews and presents Christ as the King of the Jews (There are over 100 quotations or allusions to the OT)
B. Mark writes to the Romans and presents Christ as the Servant (10:45)
C. Luke writes to the Gentiles and presents Christ as the Son of Man (19:10)
D. John writes to the World and presents Christ as the Son of God (1:1)
3. The Purpose is to convince Jews that Christ is the OT Predicted Messiah
Matthew is the Hebrew Gospel.
A. Jesus’ legal right to offer the kingdom (chs. 1-2)
1) Jesus had a human right to be King (1:1-17). He was the son of David
2) Jesus had a divine right to be King (1:18-25). He was the son of God
3) Mt 2:2 The birth of the King
B. Jesus’ personal right to offer the kingdom (ch. 3)
In Mt 3:2 is the announcement of the King and offer of the Kingdom
C. Jesus’ moral right to offer the kingdom (ch.4)
D. Jesus’ judicial right to offer the kingdom (chs.5-7)
E. Jesus’ miraculous right to offer the kingdom (chs.8-10)
4. The Method is to outline the Words and Works of King Jesus
All Jesus’ teachings end with “when Jesus had ended these sayings” (7:28; 11:1; 13:53; 19:1; 26:1)
A. Jesus’ Teaching: Sermon on the Mount (5-7)
Narrative: The Miracles of Jesus (8-9)
B. Jesus’ Teaching: Commanding the Twelve (10)
Narrative: Opposition of Jesus (11-12)
1. Jesus healing of the blind was a primary miracle of the predicted Messiah (Isa 29:18; 35:5;42:7; Psa 146:8)
2. Jesus performed his miracles in the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:38)
3. The Pharisees attributed his Holy Spirit power to Satan
4. The Pharisees commit blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (the unpardonable sin) (12:31-32). The kingdom is postponed. The mystery form of the kingdom is now in effect until the Second Coming.
C. Jesus’ Teaching: The Kingdom Parables (13) which covers the Inter-advent Period
Narrative: Continued ministry and opposition (14-17)
D. Jesus’ Teaching: Instruction on Humility (18)
Narrative: The Ultimate Rejection (19-23)
E. Jesus’ Teaching: End Time Lessons (24-25)
Narrative: The Death and Resurrection of Christ (25-28)
F. Jesus’ Teaching: Continued by the church as commanded in the the Great Commission