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Gospel of Matthew Introduction: HG Bishop Youssef

Introduction to the Gospel of St. Matthew

00:00-20:00

  • The Gospel of St Matthew has always occupied a position of high esteem in the faith and life of the Early Church
  • Most of the Early Church Fathers frequently quoted the Gospel of St Matthew
  • Gospel of St Matthew was the most read gospel during the first two centuries of Christianity
  • Author: St. Matthew
    • All the Church Fathers agree that the author is St Matthew, himself
    • Matthew means "Gift of the Lord"
    • Also called Levi
    • He was a tax-collector before being called to be one of the disciples of Christ
    • One of the Lord's earliest disciples
    • Because he followed the Lord Jesus Christ so closely, his account is considered a first-hand eyewitness account (contrast with St Luke who depended on others to write his gospel)
  • Timing:
    • Irenaeus said it was written while St Peter and St Paul were preaching in Rome
    • Eusebius, the Church Historian, said it was written after St Matthew left Palestine and started to preach outside Palestine
    • Clement of Alexandria said that the first two gospels written were the Gospel of St Matthew and the Gospel of St Luke
  • Two Versions
    • Hebrew/Aramaic Version (39-42 AD)
      • All of the Church Fathers reference this, but this work is lost
      • Possibly lost when Jerusalem was destroyed; or destroyed by the Judaizers 
    • Greek Version (60-67 AD)
      • The version that we are using now
      • There is no consensus among scholars as to whether the Greek version is a translation of the Hebrew/Aramaic version, or if it is a different gospel
      • Regardless, the Gospel was written by St Matthew
  • Audience: Jews who believed in Christ and became Christian
    • Gives details of Jewish Religious Observances
    • Uses Jewish style of argument
    • Starts with a Genealogy to show that Jesus is Son of Abraham and Son of David
    • Prophetic Formula
    • St Matthew Mentions many evidences that Christ rose from the dead
  • Purpose
    • St Matthew wants to prove to them that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messianic King of the Old Testament whom they are waiting for
    • He refers many times to prophecies from the Old Testament to prove that Jesus is the Messiah and in Him the prophecies are fulfilled
    • To make clear that the New Testament is a continuation of the Old Testament
        • Christ came to fulfill the Law not to destroy it
    • To show that Christ was sent to the Jews (Matthew 15:24 - "I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel")
  • Theme: Jesus is the King of the Jews
  • Sections
    • Matthew 1-4:11 - The Advent of the Messiah
      • Christ is the Son of David
      • Christ was born of a Virgin at Bethlehem
      • His way was prepared by John the Baptist
      • His Baptism
      • The Temptation on the Mountain
    • Matthew 4:12-16:12 - The Public Proclamation of the Messiah's Kingdom
      • He chose His first disciples and started His ministry in Galilee
      • Sermon on the Mount
      • Many miracles performed by Christ
    • Matthew 16:13-Matthew 23 - Distinct and Public Claim of the Messiahship
      • Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?
      • Account of the Transfiguration
      • Entering Jerusalem as the Son of David
      • Assuming Messianic Authority in the Temple
    • Matthew 24-27 - Sacrifice of the Messiah, the High Priest, on the Cross
      • Prepared His Disciples for His Sacrificial Death
      • The Crucifixion
    • Matthew 28 - Victory of the Messiah, the Savior and the King
      • The Resurrection
  • Numerology
    • In Scripture in general, numbers usually have more significance than just a quantity
      • e.g. 7 is a symbol of perfection
    • Gematria
      • Each letter has a corresponding number
      • So a name or a word has a number
      • D = 4
        V = 6
        DVD = 14 (in Hebrew, there aren't any vowels so the name David is DVD)
    • St Matthew uses numerology a lot
      • 14 = King David's Number
        • St Matthew wants to establish the link between Christ and King David
        • Three sets of 14 in the Genealogy in Ch 1
        • Total 42
      • 42 is 6x7
        • 6 is the number of man (since man was made on the 6th day)
        • 7 is the number of God (perfect number)
        • So 42 is the conflict between man and God
          • Man rebelled against God
          • But God sent His Son to reconcile man with God
      • 7 is a perfect number
        • 7 Beautitudes (Matthew 5)
        • 7 Repetitions in the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6)
        • 7 Parables (Matthew 13)
        • 7 Woes (Matthew 23)
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