The Book of Matthew; an Introduction

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The book of Matthew is comprised of 28 chapters of 1071 verses (as in the NKJV). Therefore, a daily evaluation of Matthew, one verse per day, will take approximately 2.93 years to complete, adding in the introduction to the book will take a few more days.

Explanation of the Title:
The name, Matthew, is a transliteration of the Greek name Matthaios first found in Matthew 9:9. According to Abarim, the name is derived from the Hebrew word matath, gift, that comes from the verb nathan, to give. That is then suffixed with the divine name of the Lord, Yehovah, to read something like Mattaiah. Thus, the name would mean Gift of Yehovah.

Author:
It is almost unanimously agreed upon that the book of Matthew was written by the Apostle Matthew (Levi), a Levite tax collector who was called by Jesus in Matthew 9:9 –

“As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, ‘Follow Me.’ So he arose and followed Him.”

Luke takes the same account and uses the name Levi –

“After these things He went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, ‘Follow Me.’ 28 So he left all, rose up, and followed Him.” Luke 5:27, 28 (Also see Mark 2:14).

In Matthew 10:2-4, the names of the twelve apostles are provided. In Matthew 10:3, Matthew the tax collector is named in that list.

The literary style of the book is just what one would expect of a Jewish man who was a tax collector. His records are detailed, and he carefully records the words of several of Jesus’ parables that deal with money, as would be expected of an accountant.

Further, being a tax collector, it is probable that Matthew was familiar with writing either very quickly or very briefly (such as in shorthand) so that he could sit and write out the things he heard as Jesus had spoken them. This in no way diminishes the doctrine known as inspiration of Scripture where the Holy Spirit guides the process of providing us with the word of God.

Rather, it explains why the Holy Spirit would have used Matthew to make a word for word record of things like the Sermon on the Mount and the Olivet Discourse. Luke, on the other hand, was a chronicler of events that had taken place. The Holy Spirit used these men’s abilities to obtain the necessary information and to guide them in how it would then be presented.

Dating:
It is debated when Matthew penned his gospel narrative, but it is believed to be somewhere from the early 40’s to late 50’s. As almost all believers at this time were Jews, it would help explain why his words deal so heavily with events from a Jewish point of view.

Internal Structure:
There are innumerable patterns running through Matthew, and what is recorded there reveals a wisdom that goes beyond a careful human planner of such a book. Rather, these patterns demonstrate a higher wisdom that guided the hand of Matthew, inspiring him to put in place these amazing patterns, many of which have only been uncovered in recent years.

Main Themes/Purpose:
An overall theme and purpose is that it is a written record of the life and events of Jesus Christ, demonstrating that He is mankind’s promised One who would restore all things as first seen in Genesis 3:15. He is Israel’s promised Messiah and the King of the Jews.

Matthew carefully records specific Old Testament fulfillments in his narrative, demonstrating these things. His introductory chapter carefully weaves together Jesus’ genealogy from Abraham to the coming of Jesus, hinging it upon the coming of King David and the Babylonian captivity of the people. Matthew’s words also carefully detail how Old Testament prophecies were fulfilled in the Person and work of Jesus Christ.

Another main purpose of the book, that becomes more evidently apparent when placed side by side with the other two synoptic gospels (Mark and Luke), is that these three gospels are a written record of Jesus’ ministry fulfilling the Law of Moses in order to bring it to an end through the initiation of a new covenant with the House of Israel and the House of Judah, an event that was prophesied in Jeremiah 31:31-34.

Therefore, it is important to understand the context of what is recorded in Matthew. It provides the life and words of Jesus as spoken to Israel under the law of Moses. Understanding this context removes many of what would otherwise seem contradictory statements between the synoptic gospels and the epistles.

The words of these synoptic gospels, then, must be carefully considered in this proper context. When they are applied to New Covenant believers, as sadly is often the case, it brings an incorrect theology to the mind of saved believers, as if Jesus is speaking to them about things they must do. Only with the introduction of the New Covenant do the words of Scripture truly begin to convey things intended for the church.

Jesus has done the work! Jesus has fulfilled everything necessary to reconcile us to God! And Jesus now offers His people grace and entrance into God’s promised rest.

Life application: With this all too brief initial summary of the book of Matthew presented, and with more introductory comments to come, it is hoped that you will be blessed by this in-depth study of the book of Matthew. It is a book that must be considered carefully. The intended context must be maintained. Jesus is dealing with Israel under the law and in anticipation of the coming New Covenant.

By maintaining this context, things will be properly understood. It is certain that if this is not done, many major theological errors will be introduced into one’s walk with the Lord. The church age is the dispensation of grace. It came about because of Christ’s finished work.

If Matthew is taken in its proper light, it is an invaluable tool for understanding what God is doing in the redemptive narrative of human history. If it is taken incorrectly, failed doctrine, and possibly even heretical ideas, will arise within the church.

Let us consider the Book of Matthew in its proper light. In doing so, these errors in thinking and theology will be avoided.

Heavenly Father, how we thank You for Your precious word. Help us to consider it carefully, handle it with respect, and be filled with joy as we search out its treasures. May we find Your proper purpose and intent for us in it, and may we apply what we learn to our lives. Yes, may it be so to Your glory. Amen.