Lecture 3: Gospel of Matthew

Overview

• Matthew is a favorite gospel among early church writers.
• Serves as a bridge between the Old and New Testaments.
• Likely not the earliest gospel (Mark possibly earlier).
• Written by Matthew the tax collector, also known as Levi.
• Likely composed around the 80s AD, after the temple's destruction.
• Targeted an audience in Antioch, which had both Jewish and Gentile Christians.

Authorship and Composition

• Matthew's authorship is attributed to a tax collector turned disciple.
• Uses Aramaic terms indicating familiarity with Jewish customs.
• Pope Pius suggested an original Aramaic version may have existed.
• Utilizes sayings of Jesus, possibly sourced from an Aramaic collection.

Audience and Setting

• Likely written for the city of Antioch, a major early Christian center.
• Audience was Aramaic-speaking with strong Greek influence.
• Matthew's gospel uses terms understandable to Antioch residents.

Purpose and Themes

• Establishes Jesus's identity through four aspects:
  1. Messiah: Long-awaited king of Israel.
  2. New Abraham: Founder of the spiritual people of God (the Church).
  3. New Moses: Deliverer and new lawgiver.
  4. Emmanuel: God with us, the virgin-born Son of God.

Literature and Structure

• Contains five major discourses of Jesus's teachings:
  1. Sermon on the Mount (Ch. 5-7): Vision for the Kingdom of God.
  2. Instruction of the Twelve (Ch. 10): Spread of the Gospel.
  3. Parables of the Kingdom (Ch. 13): Kingdom of God teachings.
  4. Relations among Disciples (Ch. 18): Community and kingdom relations.
  5. Olivet Discourse (Ch. 24-25): Prophecies of future events.

Theological Perspectives

• Emphasizes Jesus as fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.
• Jesus portrayed as the new Moses and new David:
  • New Moses: Parallels between Moses’ and Jesus’ life events.
  • New David: Genealogy links Jesus to King David.
• Introduces Jesus as the Son of Man and emphasizes his atoning death.

Inclusiveness and Gentile Inclusion

• Gospel for all people, not just Jews.
• Includes Gentile women in genealogy, foreign wise men recognizing Jesus.
• Highlights Gentile faith and Jesus's mission for all nations.

Influence on Worship and Ethics

• Influences Christian worship (e.g., Lord’s Prayer) and ethics (e.g., Beatitudes).
• Emphasizes discipleship and the role of the Church (ecclesia).
• Advocates for a holistic commitment to faith, ethical living, and mission.

Eschatology and Unification

• Provides an eschatological vision focusing on the second coming of Christ.
• Acts as a unifying document for Jewish and Gentile Christians.

Key Themes in Matthew

• Kingdom of Heaven: Present and future reality of God's rule.
• Fulfillment of Scripture: Jesus as the new Abraham, Moses, and David.
• Teacher and Rabbi: Greater emphasis on Jesus as a teacher.
• Conflict and Rejection: Jesus experiences rejection as the Messiah.
• Discipleship and Community: Importance of community among believers.

Matthew's Gospel is a comprehensive depiction of Jesus' life and mission, illustrating his fulfillment of Old Testament promises and laying the foundation for the Church.