Page 26 - March 2025 - Truth & Tidings

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

90 TRUTH kTidings March 2025