Other than he was a tax collector, little is known about Matthew. The experts feel that for fifteen years following the Resurrection of Jesus, Matthew preached in Palestine then performed missionary trips in other nations.
Date written
Second and third century church leaders commonly agree that the Gospel of Matthew was the first of the four Gospels written. It was written between A.D. 50 and 65.
On the other hand, modern scholars feel that both Matthew and Luke depended on Mark’s Gospel when writing theirs. Hence Matthew’s Gospel would be dated later than previously stated.
Purpose of Matthew’s Gospel
Matthew’s goal in writing his Gospel was not only to show Jesus as the Messiah, but also as the Son of David. Matthew demonstrates how Jesus fulfilled prophecies of the Old Testament and how the Law is packed with new meaning and supplemented in the Person, words, and work of Jesus Christ. He also shows how Israel rejected Christ according to prophecy, and because of that rejection the transference of the divine privileges went from the Jews (who were the chosen people) to the Christian community. We see this in Matthew 21:43, “The kingdom of God will be taken from you (Israel) and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it.”
The content of the Gospel of Matthew
The Gospel of Matthew groups both the teachings and deeds of Jesus into five sections. The prologue covers chapters 1:1 to 2:23 and focuses on Jesus as the Messiah by linking Him with promises made to both Abraham and David. Jesus’ birth highlighting the royalty of Jesus for the Gentiles.
The first division covers the Sermon on the Mount (chapters 3-7). In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus explains to the people how they should live under God’s laws.
Division number two explains Jesus’ instructions to His disciples as He sent them away on their missionary trips (chapters 8:1 – 11:1).
We find in the third division (11:2 – 13:52) many controversies involving Jesus. Also, seven parables illustrating several aspects of the kingdom of heaven, and the essential human response.
The fourth division covers major discourse regarding the behavior of believers within the Christian fellowship (chapters 13:53 – 18:35).
In the fifth division recounts Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem. We see in chapters 24 and 25 Jesus relating to the end times. The last couple of chapters (26:1 – 28:20) detail events and teachings such as the Crucifixion, Resurrection, and the Great Commission.
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