Chapter One
The Gospel According to
S. Matthew INTRODUCTION
See "The Synoptic Gospel," p.1349.
Author
The early church fathers were unanimous in holding that Matthew, one of the 12 apostles, was
the author of this Gospel. However, the results of modern critical studies-in particular those that
stress Matthew's alleged dependence on Mark for a substantial part of his Gospel-have caused some
Biblical scholars to abandon Matthean authorship. Why, they ask, would Matthew, an eyewitness to
the events of our Lord's life, depend so heavily on Mark's account? The best answer seems to be that
he agreed with it and wanted to show that the apostolic testimony to Christ was not divided.
Matthew, whose name means "gift of the Lord," was a tax collector who left his work to follow
Jesus (9:9-13). In Mark and Luke he is called by his other name, Levi, and Mark also mentions that
he was the "son of Alpheus" (2:14). As a tax official he had to be intelligent and literate, and thus
capable of precisely recording events in the life of our Lord. Matthew frequently mentions money and
has an interest in large figures (18:24; 25:15).
Date and Place of Writing
The Jewish nature of Matthew's Gospel may suggest that it was written in the Holy Land, though
many think it may have originated in Syrian Antioch. Some have argued on the basis of its Jewish
characteristics that it was written in the early church period, possibly the early part of A.D. 50, when
the church was largely Jewish and the gospel was preached to Jews only (Ac 11:19). However, those
who have concluded that both Matthew and Luke drew extensively from Mark's Gospel date it later-after
the Gospel of Mark had been in circulation for a period of time. See chart, p. 1349. Accordingly,
some feel that Matthew would have been written in the late 50s or in the 60s. Others, who
assume that Mark was written between 65 and 70, place Matthew in the 70s or even later.
Recipients
Since his Gospel was written in Greek, Matthew's readers were obviously Greek-speaking. They
also seem to have been Jews. Many elements point to Jewish readership: Matthew's concern with fulfillment
of the OT (he has more quotations from and allusions to the OT than any other Gospel
writer); his tracing of Jesus' descent from Abraham (1:1-17); his lack of explanation of Jewish customs
(especially in contrast to Mark); his use of Jewish terminology (e.g., "kingdom of heaven" and
"Father in heaven," where "heaven" reveals the Jewish reverential reluctance to use the name of
God); his emphasis on Jesus' role as "Son of David" (1:1; 9:27; 12:23; 15:22; 20:30-31; 21:9,15;
22:41-45). This does not mean, however, that Matthew restricts his Gospel to Jews. He records the
coming of the wise men (non-Jews) to worship the infant Jesus (2:1-12), as well as Jesus' statement
that the "field is the world" (13:38). He also gives a full statement of the Great Commission
(28:18-20). These passages show that, although Matthew's Gospel is Jewish, it has a universal outlook.
Purpose
Matthew's main purpose is to prove to his Jewish readers that Jesus is their Messiah. He does this
primarily by showing how Jesus in His life and ministry fulfilled the OT Scriptures. Although all the
Gospel writers quote the OT, Matthew includes nine additional proof texts (1:22-23; 2:15; 2:17-18;
2:23; 4:14-16; 8:17; 12:17-21; 13:35; 27:9-10) to drive home his basic theme: Jesus is the fulfillment
of the OT predictions of the Messiah. Matthew even finds the history of God's people in the OT
recapitulated in some aspects of Jesus' life (see, e.g., his quotation of Hos 11:1 in 2:15). To accomplish
his purpose Matthew also emphasizes Jesus' Davidic lineage (see Recipients above).
Structure
The way the material is arranged reveals an artistic touch. The whole Gospel is woven around six
great discourses: (1) chs. 5-7; (2) ch. 10; (3) ch. 13; (4) ch. 18; (5) ch. 23; (6) chs. 24-25. That
this is deliberate is clear from the refrain that concludes each discourse: "When Jesus had finished
these words," or similar phrases (7:28; 11:1; 13:53; 19:1; 26:1). The narrative sections, in each case,
appropriately lead up to the discourses. The Gospel has a fitting prologue (chs. 1-2) and a challenging
epilogue (28:16-20).
Matthew begins as "The book of the generation of Jesus Christ," much as Genesis begins each of
its ten main sections with "the generations of ." (see note on Gen 2:4). Jewish readers notice the
similarity immediately. Matthew gives Jesus' royal lineage and supernatural birth (1-2), followed by
his qualifications through baptism and the temptation (3-4). Then he gives Jesus' basic message
(5-7), followed by a grouping of miracles (8-10). After Christ's rejection as seen in ch. 11-12, Matthew
records Jesus' parables showing a different direction from the immediate kingdom he had been
announcing for the Jews. The climax of Matthew is found in the passion story which makes up so
much of the rest of the book.
Outline
I. The Birth and Early Years of Jesus (chs. 1-2)
A. His Genealogy (1:1-17)
B. His Birth (1:18-2:12)
C. His Sojourn in Egypt (2:13-23)
II. The Beginnings of Jesus' Ministry (3:1-4:11)
A. His Forerunner (3:1-12)
B. His Baptism (3:13-17)
C. His Temptation (4:1-11)
III. Jesus' Ministry in Galilee (4:12-14:12)
A. The Beginning of the Galilean Campaign (4:12-25)
B. The Sermon on the Mount (chs. 5-7)
C. A Collection of Miracles (chs. 8-9)
D. The Commissioning of the 12 Apostles (ch. 10)
E. Ministry throughout Galilee (chs. 11-12)
F. The Parables of the Kingdom (ch. 13)
G. Herod's Reaction to Jesus' Ministry (14:1-12)
IV. Jesus' Withdrawals from Galilee (14:13-17:20)
A. To the Eastern Shore of the Sea of Galilee (14:13-15:20)
B. To Phoenicia (15:21-28)
C. To the Decapolis (15:29-16:12)
D. To Caesarea Philippi (16:13-17:20)
V. Jesus' Last Ministry in Galilee (17:22-18:35)
A. Prediction of Jesus' Death (17:22-23)
B. Temple Tax (17:24-27)
C. Discourse on Life in the Kingdom (ch. 18)
VI. Jesus' Ministry in Judea and Perea (chs. 19-20)
A. Teaching concerning Divorce (19:1-12)
B. Teaching concerning Little Children (19:13-15)
C. The Rich Young Man (19:16-30)
D. The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard (20:1-16)
E. Prediction of Jesus' Death (20:17-19)
F. A Mother's Request (20:20-28)
G. Restoration of Sight at Jericho (20:29-34)
VII. Passion Week (chs. 21-27)
A. The Triumphal Entry (21:1-11)
B. The Cleansing of the Temple (21:12-17)
C. The Last Controversies with the Jewish Leaders (21:18-22:46)
D. The Denunciation of the Scribes and Pharisees (23)
E. The Olivet Discourse concerning the End of the Age (chs. 24-25)
F. The Anointing of Jesus' Feet (26:1-13)
G. The Arrest, Trials and Death of Jesus (26:14-27:66)
VIII. The Resurrection (ch. 28)
The genealogy of Jesus
1 The book of the generation of Jesus
Christ, the son of David, the son of
Abraham.
2 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat
Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;
3 And Judas begat Phares and Zara of
Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom
begat Aram;
4 And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab
begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon;
5 And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and
Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;
6 And Jesse begat David the king; and
David the king begat Solomon of her that had
been the wife of Urias;
7 And Solomon begat Roboam; and
Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa;
8 And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat
Joram; and Joram begat Ozias;
9 And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham
begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias;
10 And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses
begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias;
11 And Josias begat Jechonias and his
brethren, about the time they were carried
away to Babylon:
12 And after they were brought to Babylon,
Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat
Zorobabel;
13 And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud
begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor;
14 And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat
Achim; and Achim begat Eliud;
15 And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat
Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob;
16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of
Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called
Christ.
17 So all the generations from Abraham to
David are fourteen generations; and from David
until the carrying away into Babylon are
fourteen generations; and from the carrying
away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen
generations.
The birth of Jesus
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was
on this wise: When as his mother Mary was
espoused to Joseph, before they came together,
she was found with child of the Holy
Ghost.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a justman, and not willing to make her a publick
example, was minded to put her away privily.
20 But while he thought on these things,
behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto
him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of
David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy
wife: for that which is conceived in her is of
the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and
thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall
save his people from their sins.
22 Now all this was done, that it might be
fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the
prophet, saying,
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child,
and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call
his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted
is, God with us.
24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did
as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and
took unto him his wife:
25 And knew her not till she had brought
forth her firstborn son: and he called his
name JESUS.
The coming of the wise men
2 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem
of Judea in the days of Herod the
king, behold, there came wise men from the
east to Jerusalem,
2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of
the Jews? for we have seen his star in the
east, and are come to worship him.
3 When Herod the king had heard these
things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem
with him.
4 And when he had gathered all the chief
priests and scribes of the people together, he
demanded of them where Christ should be
born.
5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of
Judea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of
Juda, art not the least among the princes of
Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor,
that shall rule my people Israel.
7 Then Herod, when he had privily called
the wise men, inquired of them diligently
what time the star appeared.
8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said,
Go and search diligently for the young child;
and when ye have found him, bring me word
again, that I may come and worship him also.
9 When they had heard the king, they departed;
and lo, the star, which they saw in the
east, went before them, till it came and stood
over where the young child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoicedwith exceeding great joy.
11 And when they were come into the
house, they saw the young child with Mary his
mother, and fell down, and worshipped him:
and when they had opened their treasures,
they presented unto him gifts; gold, and
frankincense, and myrrh.
12 And being warned of God in a dream
that they should not return to Herod, they departed
into their own country another way.
The flight into Egypt
13 And when they were departed, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph
in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young
child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and
be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod
will seek the young child to destroy him.
14 When he arose, he took the young child
and his mother by night, and departed into
Egypt:
15 And was there until the death of Herod:
that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of
the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt
have I called my son.
16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was
mocked of the wise men, was exceeding
wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children
that were in Bethlehem, and in all the
coasts thereof, from two years old and under,
according to the time which he had diligently
inquired of the wise men.
17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken
by Jeremie the prophet, saying,
18 In Rama was there a voice heard,
lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children, and
would not be comforted, because they are not.
From Egypt to Nazareth
19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an
angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph
in Egypt,
20 Saying, Arise, and take the young child
and his mother, and go into the land of Israel:
for they are dead which sought the young
child's life.
21 And he arose, and took the young child
and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.
22 But when he heard that Archelaus did
reign in Judea in the room of his father Herod,
he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding,
being warned of God in a dream, he turned
aside into the parts of Galilee:
23 And he came and dwelt in a city called
Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which
was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called
a Nazarene.
John the Baptist
3 In those days came John the Baptist,
preaching in the wilderness of Judea,
2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom
of heaven is at hand.
3 For this is he that was spoken of by the
prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying
in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of
the Lord, make his paths straight.
4 And the same John had his raiment of
camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his
loins; and his meat was locusts and wild
honey.
5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all
Judea, and all the region round about Jordan,
6 And were baptized of him in Jordan,
confessing their sins.
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees
and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said
unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath
warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
9 And think not to say within yourselves,
We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto
you, that God is able of these stones to raise up
children unto Abraham.
Continues.
