Matthean Background Information

In case you missed last night’s prayer meeting, we went over some background information on the Gospel of Matthew. Here’s what we went over just so you can be up to speed with what we are studying.

Matthew is the first book in the NT because it connects the OT to the NT. Matthew has an interesting tension occuring constantly in his writing. As it is blatantly Jewish, it includes many pro-Gentile references and stories.

There are 3 major themes that Matthew wants to communicate throughout the Gospel.
1) Jesus is the fulfilment of the OT
2) Jesus is the New and Greater Moses
3) Jesus relives Israel’s history, but as the Victorious one

Matthew’s audience is to the Jewish nation. He understands that they understand the Scriptures (Law, Prophets, Psalms) very well, which is why he references to the OT 42 times, and 12 of those references are direct “fulfillment” scriptures.

There are 5 divisions in the book of Matthew. He makes this division on purpose to reflect the 5 books of the Torah. His goal is to present the Gospel as the New Torah for this New believing community. Called the 5 discourses in Matthew, the book is divided like so:

1) Chapter 5-7: Kingdoms Manifesto
2) Chapter 10: Kingdoms Mission
3) Chapter 13: Kingdoms Parables
4) Chapter 18: Kingdoms Community
5: Chapter 23-24: Kingdoms Future

So as we study the book of Matthew, and as we read during our personal quiet time, I hope this background information can serve as a foundation to help you view the gospel in how it was intended.

It’s going to be an exciting study!!!!!!