Church@Home Lion for Israel Wellness Youth Senior Women Men Prayer Addiction Prisoner Rocking Church Biker

Introduction to the Gospel according to Matthew

Introduction to Gospel according to Matthew The 40th book of the Bible, the first book in the New Testament

The 40th book of the Bible, the first book in the New Testament

The Gospel of Matthew itself does not name the author, but from the earliest times he has been identified with Matthew, originally named Levi, one of Jesus’ 12 disciples.

He was of Jewish descent and worked as a tax collector in Galilee. His calling to become a disciple of Jesus is described in the Gospel of Mark, chapter 2, verses 13–17, and in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 9, verse 9.

His account of Jesus is very detailed and structured, which—given his professional background—also points to Matthew as the author.
His emphasis on the person of Jesus lies in portraying him as the King of the world.

Matthew writes his Gospel primarily for the Jewish people and thus presupposes knowledge of the Holy Scriptures for understanding certain passages.

He demonstrates Jesus’ kingship by pointing out and attesting to many passages in the Old Testament prophecies that point to the Messiah, and by tracing Jesus’ lineage (through the line of Joseph) back to King David and the patriarch Abraham.
According to the prophecies, this King is to be rejected at his first coming, but his reign is to be established at his second coming.

Since Matthew is writing to people who already know the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, the focus is less on salvation itself and more on how one should conduct oneself as a follower of Christ.

A distinctive feature of the Gospel of Matthew is the five major discourses of Jesus, in which his words are compiled:

1st Discourse – The Sermon on the Mount, acting rightly according to God’s will
In chapter 5, from verse 1 through chapter 7, verse 29

2nd Discourse – To the 12 disciples as they are sent out
In chapter 10, verses 5 through 42

3rd Discourse – Sermon by the Sea of Galilee with parables
In chapter 13, verses 1 through 52

4th Discourse – Teaching the disciples about conduct in the church
In chapter 18, verses 1 through 35

5th Discourse – The sermon on the end times on the Mount of Olives
In chapter 24, from verse 1 through chapter 25, verse 46

In broad terms, the Gospel of Matthew is structured as follows:

Chapters 1–12 – The revelation of the Messiah, how Jesus fulfills and continues God’s history with Israel, and his rejection by the religious leaders

Chapters 13–25 – Jesus’ public teaching and ministry

Chapters 26–27 – His suffering and death as the ultimate sacrifice for humanity

Chapter 28 – His resurrection from the dead and the Great Commission to his followers

The Gospel of Matthew is believed to have been written between the years 40 and 60 A.D. It is thus likely the first official account of the life of Jesus.
Syria (Antioch or Damascus) is often cited as the place of origin, since many Jews lived in those cities at the time, and it was to them that the Gospel was first preached.

Content of the Gospel according to Matthew:

back to the startpage
back to Matthew
Books of the bible

Ähnliche Beiträge