Thoughts on Matthews Gospel

[stevepugh]

I thought l might share some posts on Matthews Gospel.

if anyone has questions or comments please dive in.

Steve

[stevepugh]

The Gospel of Matthew.

Jesus the King


This Gospel of 28 chapters was written by Matthew for a Jewish audience, between 60 – 65 AD. Matthew writes to show that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah) the King of the Jews. Matthews Gospel is the connecting link between the Old Testament and the New Testament. Matthew shows that the life and ministry of Christ was not incompatible with the Jewish religion but was actually the fulfilment of Old Testament prophesy.
John the Baptist preached ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand’ and the Lord took up the same words and theme when he began to preach the Gospel. The Lord didn’t need to explain himself at all, because, unlike the church, the Jews knew that the Kingdom of heaven was due to appear within a few years. It would be a time when heaven’s king would reign on earth, the Kingdom of heaven (Daniel 2v44, 7v14,27.)

A Pre-ministry 1v1-2v23
B The Forerunner 3v1-4
C The Baptism – with water 3v5-17
D The Will of God in the wilderness 4v1-11
E The Kingdom proclaimed 4v12-7v29
F The King proclaimed 8v1-16v20
F The King rejected 16v21-20v34
E The Kingdom rejected 21v1-26v30
D The Will of God in the garden 26v36-46
C The Baptism – of suffering 26v47-28v15
B The Successors 28v16-18
A Post-ministry 28v17-20

steve

[stevepugh]

A Pre-ministry 1v1-2v23

Par 1 1v1-17 The Genealogy of Christ
Par 2 1v18-25 The Birth of Christ
Par 3 2v1-12 The wise men go to Jerusalem
Par 4 2v13-23 The anger of Herod

B The Forerunner 3v1-4

Par 5 3v1-4 The preaching of John the Baptist

C The Baptism – with water 3v5-17

Par 6 3v5-17 Christ is baptised by John

D The will of God in the wilderness 4v1-11

Par 7 4v1-11 Christ is tempted

E The Kingdom proclaimed 4v12-7v29

Par 8 4v12-17 Christ begins to preach
Par 9 4v18-22 Christ calls four fishermen
Par 10 4v23-25 Christ’s mission in Galilee

The Sermon on the mount
Par 11 5v1-12 The Beatitudes
Par 12 5v13-16 Salt & Light
Par 13 5v17-20 The Law
Par 14 5v21-26 Murder
Par 15 5v27-30 Adultery
Par 16 5v31-32 Divorce
Par 17 5v33-37 Oath’s
Par 18 5v38-42 Retaliation
Par 19 5v43-48 Love your enemy
Par 20 6v1-4 Almsgiving in secret
Par 21 6v5-15 Prayer
Par 22 6v16-18 Fasting
Par 23 6v19-21 Treasures and the heart
Par 24 6v22-23 Evil eye
Par 25 6v24-34 The kingdom of God first
Par 26 7v1-6 Self examination first
Par 27 7v7-12 Asking for God’s help
Par 28 7v13-14 Straight is the gate
Par 29 7v15-20 Look for fruit
Par 30 7v21-23 Some religious people will be lost
Par 31 7v24-29 The wise and foolish men

F The King proclaimed 8v1-16v20

Par 32 8v1-4 Christ heals leprosy
Par 33 8v5-13 Christ - the Centurions servant
Par 34 8v14-17 Christ heals many others
Par 35 8v18-22 Some want to follow Christ
Par 36 8v23-27 Christ stills the storm
Par 37 8v28-34 Christ - the demon possessed
Par 38 9v1-8 Christ heals the crippled man
Par 39 9v9-13 Christ calls Matthew
Par 40 9v14-17 The fasting of disciples
Par 41 9v18-26 Jairus’ daughter and a woman
Par 42 9v27-31 Christ gives sight to the blind
Par 43 9v32-34 Christ heals the dumb
Par 44 9v35-38 Christ’s compassion
Par 45 10v1-4 Christ calls twelve apostles
Par 46 10v5-15 Instructions regarding the mission
Par 47 10v16-25 Persecution
Par 48 10v26-31 Fear God not men
Par 49 10v32-33 Confessing and denying Christ
Par 50 10v34-39 Call to conflict
Par 51 10v40-42 Rewards for good reception
Par 52 11v1-19 John seeks confirmation
Par 53 11v20-24 Woes to the cities
Par 54 11v25-30 Come to me
Par 55 12v1-8 Christ is Lord of the Sabbath
Par 56 12v9-14 Christ heals a withered hand
Par 57 12v15-21 Christ withdrew
Par 58 12v22-37 Christ’s power over Satan
Par 59 12v38-45 No more signs
Par 60 12v46-50 The real family of Christ
Par 61 13v1-9 The Parable of the Sower
Par 62 13v10-17 The purpose of Parables
Par 63 13v18-23 The Parable explained
Par 64 13v24-30 The wheat and tares
Par 65 13v31-32 The mustard seed
Par 66 13v33 The leaven hid
Par 67 13v34-43 Parables explained
Par 68 13v44 The buried treasure
Par 69 13v45-46 The pearl of great price
Par 70 13v47-52 The large net
Par 71 13v53-58 Christ rejected at Nazareth
Par 72 14v1-12 Herod hears of Christ
Par 73 14v13-21 Christ feeds the 5,000
Par 74 14v22-33 Christ walks on water
Par 75 14v34-36 Christ heals all the people
Par 76 15v1-20 God’s commands
Par 77 15v21-28 The faith of a Gentile woman
Par 78 15v29-31 Christ heals many people
Par 79 15v32-39 Christ feeds the 4,000
Par 80 16v1-4 The signs of the times
Par 81 16v5-12 Beware - Pharisees & Sadducees
Par 82 16v13-20 Jesus is the Messiah

F The King rejected 16v21-20v34

Par 83 16v21-28 Christ must die
Par 84 17v1-13 Christ is transfigured
Par 85 17v14-21 Christ delivers a young boy
Par 86 17v22-23 Christ will die and be raised
Par 87 17v24-27 Christ pays taxes
Par 88 18v1-5 The greatest
Par 89 18v6-9 Offences
Par 90 18v10-14 The lost sheep
Par 91 18v15-20 When a brother sins against you
Par 92 18v21-35 Forgiving others
Par 93 19v1-12 Divorce
Par 94 19v13-15 Who will enter the kingdom?
Par 95 19v16-30 The rich young man
Par 96 20v1-16 The labourers in the vineyard
Par 97 20v17-19 Christ will die and rise again
Par 98 20v20-28 A mother’s ambition
Par 99 20v29-34 Christ heals two blind men

E The Kingdom rejected 21v1-26v30

Par 100 21v1-11 Christ enters Jerusalem
Par 101 21v12-17 Christ cleanses the temple
Par 102 21v18-22 Christ and the fig tree
Par 103 21v23-27 Christ’s authority
Par 104 21v28-32 The two sons
Par 105 21v33-46 The parable of the vineyard
Par 106 22v1-14 The wedding banquet
Par 107 22v15-22 Christ and taxes
Par 108 22v23-33 The Resurrection
Par 109 22v34-40 The important commandment
Par 110 22v41-46 David’s Lord
Par 111 23v1-36 Christ condemns leaders
Par 112 23v37-39 Christ weeps for Jerusalem
Par 113 24v1-2 The Destruction of the Temple
Par 114 24v3-14 The time of the end
Par 115 24v15-28 The end comes
Par 116 24v29-31 Signs in the heaven
Par 117 24v32-35 The fig tree lesson
Par 118 24v36-44 The time unknown
Par 119 24v45-51 Watchfulness at his coming
Par 120 25v1-13 The ten virgins
Par 121 25v14-30 The Talents
Par 122 25v31-46 Judgement of the living nations
Par 123 26v1-13 The plot to kill Christ
Par 124 26v6-13 Christ anointed at Bethany
Par 125 26v14-16 Judas enters into the bargain
Par 126 26v17-25 Christ eats the Passover
Par 127 26v26-30 The Lord’s Last Supper
Par 128 26v31-35 The Lord predicts Peter’s denial

D The will of God in the garden 26v36-46

Par 129 26v36-46 Christ prays in Gethsemane

C The Baptism – of suffering 26v47-28v15

Par 130 26v47-56 Christ arrested
Par 131 26v57-68 Christ before Caiaphas
Par 132 26v69-75 Peter denies Christ
Par 133 27v1-2 Christ before Pilate
Par 134 27v3-10 Judas dies
Par 135 27v11-14 Christ before Pilate again
Par 136 27v15-26 Christ sentenced to die
Par 137 27v27-31 Christ mocked by the soldiers
Par 138 27v32-44 Christ crucified
Par 139 27v45-56 Christ dies
Par 140 27v57-66 Christ buried
Par 141 28v1-15 Christ is risen

B The Successors 28v16-18

Par 142 28v16-18 Christ’s Disciples

A Post-ministry 28v19-20

Par 143 28v19-20 Christ’s great commission

steve

[stevepugh]

The *Gospel according to *Matthew

*Gospel – Originally this word was used to describe a present or sacrifice given on hearing good news, but latter it came to mean the good news itself. Although the word is used commonly to describe the first four books of the New Testament it is never used in this way in the New Testament. The word always means ‘the good news of God concerning his Son, Jesus Christ’.
*Matthew – The name Matthew and Levi are used to describe the same person. It was common for the Jews to mark a major change in life by the use of a new name. e,g, Simon – Peter. Saul – Paul. After Levi’s call to be an apostle of Jesus Christ he is usually referred to as Matthew.

Chapter 1

There are two pairs of sections in the introduction of Gods King – Jesus

A The Genealogy The Kings distant Fathers David & Abraham
A The Parents of the Lord The Kings near Father – Joseph

B The Wise men’s Visit The Gentile ‘Kings’ – worship him
B The Massacre of the innocents The ‘Jewish’ King (Herod) - hates him

Par 1 1 v1-17 The Genealogy of Christ (Luke 3v23-38)

A Jesus Christ v1
B David v1 Ascent
C Abraham v1
D The Commoner ancestors – Abraham to David v2-6 14 Generations
E The Royal ancestors – David to Josiah v6-11 14 Generations
D The Commoner ancestors – Jeconiah to Jesus v12-16 14 Generations
C Abraham v17
B David v17 Descent
A Jesus Christ v17

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.

*Christ – A adjective that became a noun. It was originally used to describe the anointing of Prophets priests and kings. The word ‘Christ’ is the Greek word for the Hebrew word Messiah. See John 1v41.

In Mark’s Gospel no genealogy is given, because Mark writes to describe ‘Jesus the Servant’. Servants begin straight away with their work, after giving two references. In Luke’s Gospel the genealogy of the Lord’s mother is given because Luke describes ‘Jesus the Man’. In John’s Gospel no genealogy is given because John writes to describe ‘Jesus the Son of God’. In Matthew we have recorded the Royal genealogy. Matthew describes ‘Jesus the King’. But the genealogy goes further back than David to Abraham the man of faith.

Jesus is the Son of Abraham, he calls for our faith and being Son of David our obedience. Only those who come before Jesus by faith will truly know him as Lord.

steve

[stevepugh]

PS both phrases - Son of Abraham and Son of David are titles of the Messiah.

Steve

[andrew]

godbless and peace be with you steve

[Michael]

Hi Steve,

Many thanks for all the info.

Regarding your comment on change of name above.

stevepugh said:

The *Gospel according to *Matthew

It was common for the Jews to mark a major change in life by the use of a new name. e,g, Simon – Peter. Saul – Paul. After Levi’s call to be an apostle of Jesus Christ he is usually referred to as Matthew.
steve

Before I was saved I was called "Mike" but now " Michael." Michael means "who is like God?" I believe the Lord told me to do this a few years after I was saved.

Shalom,

Michael

[stevepugh]

Par 2 1 v18-25 The Birth of Christ (Luke 2v1-7)

A Joseph espoused to Mary v18
B Mary found to be with child v18
C Joseph considering moving out of Gods will – Divorce v19
D Angelic message v20-21
D Prophetic message v22-23
C Joseph obedient to Gods will – Marriage v24
B Mary gives birth to a child v25
A Joseph names the child – Jesus v25

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 just man, and not willing to make her a *public 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.

*Espoused – Another word for betrothed. A specific Jewish custom in which the bride and groom were considered as bound to each other. They were often referred to as husband & wife, but before the marriage ceremony itself. Unfaithfulness was punishable by stoning.
*Public example – Joseph did not want her to be publicly disgraced.
*Jesus – The Greek word of the Hebrew word Joshua. It literally means ‘Jehovah is our Saviour’. Joshua was originally called Hoshea or Hosea.
*Sins – To miss the mark in archery or to miss our way on a journey.
*Emmanuel – The Hebrew word for ‘God with us’. Isaiah 8v10. The promise of Gods presence and saving power. See Matthew 28v20.

It is important to understand the peculiar customs of the Jews to appreciate the union between Mary and Joseph. They were betrothed but not married. Betrothal was so binding that only divorce could dissolve it. Both Mary and Joseph are an example to us all of faith to obedience to the revealed mind of God. Matthew is at pains to point out, in this passage and in the whole of his Gospel, that this event was fully consistent with the Old Testament scriptures in fact they were the fulfilment of them.

Steve

[Michael]

stevepugh said:

*Sins – To miss the mark in archery or to miss our way on a journey.

The Bible says:-

Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. ( 1 John 3:4 )

[stevepugh]

Chapter 2

Par 3 2 v1-12 The Wise men go to Jerusalem

A The Wise men arrive v1
B The Star guides them v2
C Herod hears the Wise men v3
D Herod’s first Question – Where? v4
E The Answer – Bethlehem v5-6
D Herod’s second Question – When? v7-8
E The Answer – Given v7-8
C The Wise men hear Herod v9
B The Star guides them v9-11
A The Wise men depart v12

1 Now when Jesus was born in *Bethlehem of Judaea 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 Judaea: 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 rejoiced with 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.

*Bethlehem – The Hebrew word for the city of David. Literally The house of bread. It was situated in the middle of barley fields.
*Wise men – A priestly caste from the eastern kingdoms of Persia. They occupied themselves with science, astronomy and medicine. Daniel was made the leader of this group in Babylon. We do not know how many came to see the Lord.
*Governor – A better translation would be Shepherd, who rules guides and protects. See John 10v11. 2Samuel 5v2 – Psalm 78v70-72
*Inquired of them diligently – He inquired of them every last detail.

· Who were the Wise men and why did they come?
· Why was Herod troubled by the Wise men?
· What sort of person was Herod?
· What happened when the Wise men found the child?

The contrast between the wise men and Herod is most striking. The wise men had very little light to guide them, but their dim light guided then faithfully, all the way to Jesus. Whereas Herod, the heathen king of Israel, had the Holy Scriptures readily available to him, but had only anger and murderous intent towards Jesus. The gifts of the wise men are so instructive. Gold in Scripture speaks of deity. Frankincense was a white powder which burnt with a clear long-lasting light and brought fragrance to all in the house. Myrrh was a bitter, resinous gum used to embalm. And so we have three glorious pictures which tell us so much about the child born in Bethlehem.

[Michael]

There is also a well at Bethlehem.

2 Samuel 23:15 And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!

Some would say if you meditate on THE WORD ( bread ) one will receive water!

[stevepugh]

Thats true.

Par 4 2 v13-23 The anger of Herod

A The Angels Command v13
B Joseph’s Obedience v14 The Flight to Egypt
C Christ lives in Egypt v14-15
D Fulfilment of Scripture v15
A Herod’s Anger & Crime v16
D Fulfilment of Scripture v17-18
A The Angels Command v19-20
B Joseph’s Obedience v21 The Return from Egypt
C Christ lives in Nazareth v22-23
D Fulfilment of Scripture v23

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 Jeremy 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. 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 Judaea 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.

*The Children – The article is masculine – They were the male children.
*Nazarene – A Hebrew word for shoot or sprout. A word used to describe ‘a country boy’ and a term of contempt. See Isaiah 11v1. The Lord was an ‘upstart’ from an ‘upstart town’.

Visions occur while awake but dreams occur while asleep. Joseph had a number of dreams which were so secret, that nobody would have been able to discover what was said. What God revealed to Joseph was only known to God himself. Only God knew what was in Herod’s mind. Gods Word was spoken directly in Joseph’s mind while he slept. Joseph left Bethlehem in the pitch darkness and set out on a strange road. What a man of faith! Herod tried to murder the rival king with a blanket of murder, but he never knew that he was not successful. One day he will bow the knee before the Lord Jesus.


Steve

[stevepugh]

The Holy Spirit revealed to Matthew what only Joseph knew so that he could write his Gospel.

Steve

[Michael]

Either that or may be Joseph told others his dreams like Joseph did in Genesis 37.

[stevepugh]

Chapter 3

Par 5 3 v1-12 The Preaching of John the Baptist
(Mark 1v1-8 Luke 3v1-9 John 1v19-28)

A John – His Mission – Preaching v1
B John – His Message of Repentance concerning the past v1-2
C John – His Authority – Fulfilment of Scripture v3
B John – His Message of Preparation concerning the future v3
A John – His Habits – clothing and food v4

1 In those days came *John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, 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.

*John – A Hebrew word meaning ‘God is gracious’.
*Wilderness – Open land. Uncultivated land used by shepherds. Heath. A place symbolic of communion with God.
*Repent – Literally to think again or an after thought. A change of mind based on regret. Not to be confused with a turning as in conversion.
*Kingdom of Heaven – Only used in Matthews Gospel. It describes the time when Christ will reign on earth. The Kingdom of Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome will be followed by the Kingdom of Heaven.
*Voice – John calls himself merely a voice calling out in the desert.
*Camel hair – The roughest of cloth taken from the beast of burden.
*Locusts – A mutation of grasshopper and a symbol of Judgement.
*Wild Honey – A symbol of blessing and fruitfulness. ‘Wild honey’ as opposed to cultivated honey.

The life and ministry of John was quite unique. He came to prepare the people for the coming of Christ. He came near the end of the sixty ninth week of Daniel and preached that men should repent because ‘the kingdom of heaven’, which would commence after the seventh week of Daniel, was very near. His ministry of repentance and baptism was remarkably effective. John lived on the heath-land wearing the course cloth of camel hair and ate the symbols of the judgement and blessing, locusts for protein and wild honey for sugar.


Steve