Matthew's Gospel Notes
Background Information
- Matthew writes his Gospel from about 80-85 AD or CE.
- Matthew worked with a Jewish-Christian community. Most of the people were active in their
Jewish religion and were very well educated in the Jewish beliefs and the Torah (Old
Testament).
-The Jews and Romans greatly disliked each other during his time, and a war broke out between
the two sides from 66-70 AD, ending with the Romans burning down much of Jerusalem.
- Many Jews (like the Pharisees) believed that the Savior would be a great powerful leader.
Anyone who didn't help them and their cause they often excommunicated (being kicked out of
your church), including many Jewish Christians who were thrown out of their religion.
- He was working with a community of Jewish Christians who didn't participate in the rebellion
against the Romans. Because they chose not to fight, many of these Jewish Christians were
kicked out of their communities and excommunicated, so they had to regroup.
Old Law vs New Law
- Many Pharisees also believed in a very literal following of the Old Testament Law. Matthew
tries to show that Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament Law and that being a Christian
means following the Spirit of these rules.
- For Matthew, Jesus is like the New Moses. He has come to fulfill the law and show the people
what it really means to be a disciple, a "citizen in the kingdom of heaven." He often will explain
or look at old rules in new ways (Matthew 5:27-44).
- Jesus as Rabbi (teacher) - He uses many parables to teach the people God's messages.
- Jesus is the fulfillment of Old Testament Prophecies that God made to the Jewish people, which
shows that he truly is God.
Matthew's Gospel Themes
1) Importance of Jesus' power and authority. Strongly emphasizes his healing ability. He is like
the new Moses the Savior who fulfills all of the prophecies.
2) Focuses on the importance of being a citizen in the Kingdom of God (Follow the Law of
Love). Being a good Christian is much more than simply following all of the religious rules and
laws. It is essential to be a part of the Church and member of a religious community.
3) Criticizes the Pharisees and Jewish religious leaders often for 2 reasons: A) Being
hypocritical; B) Being stuck in the old ways of doing things and resisting Jesus' new teachings.