Matthew's Gospel

Cards (11)

  • Structure of Matthew's Gospel
    1. Jesus' origins: His birth and baptism (Mt 1–3)
    2. Jesus' teaching and ministry (Mt 4–25)
    3. Jesus's sacrifice (Mt 26–27)
    4. Jesus' resurrection (Mt 28)
  • Matthew introduces Jesus
    In a very traditional Jewish way, using a genealogy that shows Jesus as an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham and David, highlighting Jesus' royal heritage
  • Matthew
    Uses Old Testament texts to reaffirm the values of the Old Testament and how Jesus brings these values to their fullness
  • Matthew is teaching his Jewish audience
    About what was understood only after the Resurrection, that Jesus is a son of Abraham, son of David, son of Joseph and Mary and Son of God
  • Jesus
    The fulfilment of the history of his people
  • Messiah or Christ
    This term is crucial because it links Jesus to the Jewish expectation of a liberating and restoring Messiah for Israel. It reinforces his divine purpose to deliver redemption to all humanity, and the fulfilment of Old Testament predictions by establishing Jesus as the Messiah. For Matthew's mostly Jewish-Christian readership, this title confirms Jesus' identification as the anointed one prophesied in Jewish texts, assisting in creating a unique identity.
  • Genealogy in Matthew 1:1–17
    Places Jesus in the Jewish tradition by establishing his ancestry through Abraham and highlighting his position as the heir to the promises made to Abraham. This lineage presents Jesus as the centre of God's redemptive plan and supports his messianic claim by being consistent with Old Testament prophecies. The inclusion of several women and Gentiles emphasises the cross-cultural reach of Jesus' mission and showcases that his message transcends conventional Jewish limits. The genealogy is presented, organised, and broken down into three sets of fourteen generations, making it more memorable, reinforcing the concept that Jesus' arrival was a divinely planned occurrence.
  • Inclusion of Gentile women in Jesus' genealogy
    • Underscores the universality of Jesus' mission, emphasising that salvation through Jesus is not limited to the Jewish people but extends to all nations. Challenges and expands the traditional understanding of purity and righteousness, showcasing that God's grace and covenant extend beyond ethnic boundaries and moral perfection, embracing those who show faith and righteousness regardless of their background. Promotes an inclusive view of the Kingdom of God, aligning with Jesus' teachings and ministry, which often uplifted the marginalised and broke social barriers.
  • Matthew's use of Isaiah 7:13–14

    To emphasise how the birth of Jesus fulfilled prophecy. Immanuel means "God with us," and Matthew uses this prophecy from Isaiah to show that Jewish tradition foresaw and anticipated the birth of Jesus. This reference places Jesus squarely within the framework of Matthew's Jewish-Christian audience and offers compelling proof of his legitimacy. In highlighting the fulfilment of this prophecy, Matthew affirms not just the divinity of Jesus but also the authority of his message, demonstrating that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah as the prophets have predicted.
  • Comparisons between Exodus 1:1-2:10 and Matthew 1:13-23
    Both stories emphasise themes of deliverance and divine intervention. The birth and preservation of Moses amidst a decree to kill Hebrew male infants foreshadow a leader who will deliver Israel from slavery, just as Jesus' birth occurs under the shadow of Herod's decree to kill male infants, echoing Pharaoh's decree. Joseph's dreams and the family's flight to Egypt to escape Herod's wrath parallel Moses' deliverance, signalling Jesus as a new Moses who will lead His people to spiritual liberation.
  • Significance of the parallels for Matthew's community
    These parallels would have reinforced the belief that Jesus was the promised Messiah, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies. By presenting Jesus as a new Moses, Matthew connected Jesus' mission to the foundational narrative of Jewish identity and divine deliverance. This connection would have been vital in validating Jesus' authority and mission to a Jewish audience familiar with the Exodus story, affirming that Jesus was indeed the continuation and fulfilment of God's healing work.