The Author
Matthew (or Levi) was an employee of the Roman government who left it to serve another Kingdom. In his secular employment, he gathered taxes. In his writing, he will gather things together as well, such as parables, miracles, prophetic events and woes.
Matthew is mentioned five times in the NT (Mat 9:9; 10:3; Mar 3:18; Luk 6:15; Act 1:13).
Unique Features
The Silence of the Centuries – No word from God for almost four centuries. The faithful were cast back on the Word of God which had been given through the centuries past. Waiting for the coming of the Lord.
The Setting of the Scene – The beginning of Matthew is linked with royalty; in Mark with His ministry; in Luke with His humanity; in John with His deity.
The Significance of the Visitors – Gentiles and not Jews. Luke brings Jewish shepherds and depicts the faithful Jewish remnant. Gentiles are prominent in this Jewish Gospel.
The Sign of the Star – There are three signs given related to His birth: the swaddling clothes of Luke, which speak of poverty; the virgin conceiving (Isaiah 7), which speaks of deity; the star, which speaks of His majesty.
The Scriptures Cited – Matthew is concerned with showing the link with the prophetic Word and its fulfillment in Christ (5x in chapter 1); Matthew has 60 references to the OT. Notice the frequency of the phrases, “that it might be fulfilled which was spoken …” or, “that which was spoken by the prophets.”
The Similarity in Style – In Matthew, God communicates via dreams. This is in keeping with His dealings with OT patriarchs and others. Notice that in Matthew it is via dreams to Joseph, while in Luke it is via angels, mostly to Mary.
The Sections
The Credentials of the King (1:1-4:11)
The Creed of the King (5:1-7:29)
The Capability of the King (8:1-10:42)
Crisis in the Kingdom (11:1-13:58)
The Capability of Sons of the Kingdom (14:1-18:35)
The Chronology of the Kingdom (19:1-25:46)
The Credentials of the Savior-King (26:1-28:20)
Other Ways of Outlining the Book
1. Look at the Mountain scenes of Matthew. Why would mountain scenes have such a significance for Israel? (4:8; 5:1; 14:23; 15:29; 17:1; 18:12; 21:1; 24:3; 26:30; 28:16)
2. Look up the expression “When he had finished” (which might be translated slightly differently, but Matthew uses the same Greek word) in 7:28; 11:1; 13:53; 19:1; 26:1. Notice how they divide the Gospel as well.
Key Words
The King (23x/118x in NT)
Kingdom of Heaven (32x)
Father in Heaven (15x)
Son of David (10x); texts link with His healing and compassion; will use His royal authority to heal and not oppress the needy
Governor – this is the Gospel that most frequently calls Pilate the “governor”
Righteousness (7x); Just or Righteous (17x)
Disciple (73x, more than Mark or Luke)
Gospel of the Kingdom (4:23; 9:35; 24:14; 26:13)
Son of God (8:29; 14:33; 16:16; see also 3:17; 17:5)
Teacher – never by His disciples but by others and self-reference (3x) (8:19; 9:11; 12:38; 17:24; 19:16; 22:16, 24; 10:24-25; 23:8; 26:18)
Son of Man (30x)
Shepherd (9:36; 25:32; 26:31)
Unique Parts
Ten unique parables (21 total) in Matthew
Three unique miracles (9:27; 9:32; 17:24)
Unique Discourses (chs5-7; 11:28; 12:36; 16:17-19; 21:43; eight woes; chs24-25)
There are five discourses which alternate with narrative sections (chs5-7; ch10; ch13; ch18; chs24-25)
Notice that there are two turning points (4:17; 16:21)
Notice also capsule summaries (4:23-25; 9:35; 11:1; 14:35,36; 15:29-31; 19:1-2; 21:14)
Groups of seven – petitions of 6:9-13; parables of ch13; pronouncement of woes in ch23; double sevens of ch1
Groups of three – three parts to the genealogy; to 6:1-18; to parables of 21:28-22:14
Highlights from Genealogy Section
Grace of God – four women (at least three of whom are Gentiles); grace over-ruling.
Goodness and Faithfulness of God in fulfilling His promise – 14 generations
Guidance of God (1:20-21)
Guarding of the truth of the Virgin Birth (vv16,18,19,20,23,25)
