The Gospel of Matthew - Essay Example

Order #263915_Book Review on the Gospel of Matthew I. Preliminary Information A. The Gospel of Matthew B. Matthew/Levi Matthew was thetax collector spoken five times in the New Testament. In Matthew 9:9, he was the man designated as “sitting in the custom house.” As recorded in Mark 2:14, Matthew is also called Levi as “sitting at the receipt of custom.” (Jacquier, 1911). First mention of his name was in Matthew 9:9 when Jesus called him to be one of his disciples. Matthew 9:9 of New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures Online Edition states, “Next, while passing along from there, Jesus caught sight of a man named Matthew seated at the tax office, and he said to him: ‘Be my follower.’” Just like Paul who had a Hebrew name Shaoul, Matthew had Levi as his original name. Matthew, son of Alpheus (Mark 2:14) came from Galilee. However, he is thought to have lived in Antioch, Syria. He collected taxes for Herod Antipas, a Jewish leader, ruler of Galilee and Peraea between 4 BCE and 39 CE.1 Just after following Jesus, Matthew held a feast in his house where tax collectors and sinners recline at the table with the Christ and his disciples. This is where Jesus drew protest from the Pharisees. The author, however, had a great influence on the development of Christianity. It based most of his writing on Mark’s gospel.2 1 Lendering, J. Herod Antipas: The House of Hero. 2 Cline, A., 2008. Matthew the Apostle: Profile & Biography of Matthew the Apostl, New York. C. Publication Information The Gospel of Matthew was finished written at about 41 C.E. in Palestine. Matthew, then he probably wrote it some time around two B.C.E. - 33 C.E. 3 Introduction The Gospel of Matthew is the first book in the 27 books of the New Testament. In the New Testament, the following books are Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, The Acts, Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John , 3 John, Jude, Revelation. Aside from one of the first twelve disciples of Jesus (Matthew 9:1; 10:1-4) and an eye-witness, Matthew records more of Jesus teaching concerning Gods heavenly kingdom than the other writers, for example the entire Sermon on the Mount. Matthew, compared to the first few men (Peter, Andrew, James, and John) whom Jesus chose (who were fishermen), was skilled that he handled accounts of figures being a tax collector and obviously equipped with the pen. More so, he chose to leave his ludicrous post to be with Jesus and become an evangelist. It is to be recalled when a certain man holding many riches wants to be one of Christ’s disciples. Jesus told this man “If you want to be perfect, go sell your belongings and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven, and come be my follower.” However, the man refused to let go of his belongings and went away grieved. (Matthew: 19:21-22). 3 Wathctower and Bible Tract Society. New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, p.1881. New York. Quoted on Papias, one of the earliest Church historians, it says, "Matthew collected the sayings of Jesus in the Hebrew tongue." 4 Matthew the evangelist wrote some 1068 verses.  While the evangelist Mark wrote some 661 verses, which focus on the "events" of Jesus life and ministry, Matthew focuses on the substance of Jesus teaching.  II. Summary of the Gospel of Matthew The word ‘gospel’ means good news, the message concerning the Christ, the Kingdom of God and salvation. 5 Having four gospel accounts, the first three gospels in the New Testament are sometimes called the synoptic gospels as they cover miracles and teachings of Jesus. However, all four gospels present Jesus Christ as the Son of God. They all record Jesus’ baptism, the feeding of the 5,000 from five loaves and two fishes, Marys anointing of the Lord Jesus, His prayer in the garden of Gethsemane, the betrayal, trial, capture, death, burial and resurrection. Matthew opens his book on Genealogy that traces back the lineage of Jesus from Abraham to Joseph. Fourteen generations have passed from Abraham to David, another fourteen from David to the exile in Babylonia, and another fourteen from Babylonia ended up to Joseph the husband of Mary and then Mary as biological mother of Jesus. (Matthew 1:17) It is obvious here that Matthew traces Jesus lineage through Joseph, his foster father. 4 Merriam-Webster Online. Genealogy in Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary. Perhaps, as Matthew observed according to Jewish genealogy, the fathers lineage counted legally for royalty. 5 The second part of chapter declares the nativity or the birth of Christ, of how Mary miraculously conceived through the Holy Spirit and the appearance of an angel to Joseph clearing all his doubts on the act of divorcing his wife. During the time of the Jews, which they adhere to Mosaic Law, it is unlawful to wed a woman guilty of fornication. Hence, Joseph because he was righteous and did not want to make her a public spectacle, intended to divorce Mary secretly. Nevertheless, an angel appeared to him in his dreams declaring that Mary is conceiving the Son of God. (Matthew 1:20-22). Matthew arranged the teachings of Christ in five sections. The first division includes the famous Sermon on the Mount comprising chapters 5-7. In chapter 10, Jesus taught his disciples to preach the good news of the kingdom and the corresponding duties of a Christian in carrying out his ministry along with him. Third part comprises the Parable of the Kingdom in chapter 13, the feeding of thousands in chapter 14 and 15, and transfiguration in chapter 17.6 Fourth part in chapter 18 gives the significance of forgiveness, good deeds and greatness. Jesus highlighted how a man can enter the Kingdom of God; that it would be possible for a camel to enter a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter God’s Kingdom. (Matthew 19:23). 5 D. Schwager (2002). Introduction to the Gospel of Matthew: a commentary & meditation, The Gospel of the Kingdom of God. 6 M. Barrow (1995). The Four Gospels. In chapters 24-25, they show the reality of the kingdom, its conflicts, its future, and the need to prepare and be watchful for the return of the King. The Gospel of Matthew closes with accounts of Jesus’ resurrection and his appearance to Mary Magdalene and later on to his 11 disciples. It is to be recalled that there were originally 12 disciples but one of them, Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus and felt remorse by hanging himself. In Galilee, Jesus met with the disciples and there Jesus instructed them, “Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded YOU. And, look! I am with YOU all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.” (Matthew 28:19). III. Description and Analysis The Gospel of Matthew contains 28 chapters. It was placed first in the New Testament to serve as bridge from the Old Testament to the New Testament. Matthew wants to convince the Jews that Jesus is the Messiah or the Christ, the Son of God to whom God has given all authority to him on earth and establish His kingdom to the ends of it. (Matthew 28:18-19). Matthews account uses the word "kingdom" 50 times and the "kingdom of heaven" 32 times. The genealogy of Jesus that traces back to Abraham is a good opener for the book. It followed the accounts of the birth of the Christ highlighting the visit of three wise men who had been warned by an angel not to go back to King Herod whose pursuit was to have the baby Jesus killed. After the death of Herod, the family returned and settled in the Galilee town of Nazareth, which, according to Matthew, fulfilled an Old Testament prophecy. One of the striking characteristic of the Gospel of Matthew is its high regard for the teaching of the Old Testament. Some events in the life of Jesus were interpreted as a fulfillment of a prophecy in the Old Testament. Matthew considered Christianity as a continuation of that which had been set forth in the Old Testament rather than set aside the requirements of the Mosaic Law. In the Mosaic Law, specific laws were given to the people of Israel through Moses in which the high priests and Pharisees during the time of Jesus continue to follow. To make it simplified, Jesus told the people the greatest commandment, “Love God with all your heart, mind, and strength; and love your neighbor as you love yourself,” that superseded the more complicated and specified Law of Moses. Matthew attempted to associate closely the incidents in the life of Jesus and the Old Testament through the fulfillment of the prophets. He quotes extensively from Old Testament prophets to give support how Jesus was proven the Messiah who would establish the kingdom of God. He made quotations such as “this was done to fulfill what was spoken by the prophets,” and “son of David.” Long before, the Jews knew that the Messiah would come from the lineage of David. 7 On Matthew 2: 5 says, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is how it has been written through the prophet.” This clearly gives high regard for the prophets. 7 D. Schwager, op.cit. Another example shows when Matthew records Jesus entering into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey, to cries of Hosanna to the Son of David, in fulfillment of Zechariahs prophecy regarding the King of Zion, who will establish peace and whose kingdom will extend to the ends of the earth (Zechariah 9:9-10). The Gospel of Matthew uses the same sequence of events that are recorded in Mark, but at appropriate intervals, he interrupts the narrative and inserts a group of sayings. One example is the Sermon on the Mount. This sermon can be found in the Gospel of Luke but they are not grouped together. This scheme enables Matthew to combine the events and the teachings of the Christ in one continuous narrative. In contrast to the Gospel of Mark, Matthew emphasized on the things Jesus taught rather on the deeds he performed. Often Jesus taught in parables in order to touch the lives of the multitudes. Jesus knew how to deliver his words that can be understood by the multitudes. He used practical examples of daily life experiences to convey his message concerning the kingdom of heaven and its purpose. 8 Many passages in the Gospel of Matthew clearly indicate that the good news is not for the Jews alone but for all the people as well. While having conflict against the scribes and the Pharisees, Jesus had taught a parable concerning the kingdom of God that will be taken away from the people of Israel. In the parable of the householder, it tells about a master who plants a vineyard, rents it to tenants, and leaves his servants in charge of the rent collection while he travels to another country. In this parable, the servants are beaten, stoned, and even put to death by the tenants. 8 Anon., (2002) The Gospel of Matthew. Then the householder sends his son to collect the rent, but when the tenants see the son, they cast him out of the vineyard and kill him; clearly a reference to the fact that his Jewish enemies put Jesus to death. This opened the opportunity for non-Jews to enter the kingdom of God and displays a clear indication that the scope of the gospel is inclusive of Gentiles (non-Israelites). "I say to you that many will come from the east and the west (i.e. Gentiles), and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the subjects of the kingdom (i.e. Hebrews) will be thrown outside, into the darkness ..." (Matthew 8:11-12) On the latter part of the gospel, Matthew emphasized Jesus’ kingship and divine authority. On one occasion, Jesus said to Peter that he (Jesus) would give him the keys of the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 16:19). On chapter 28, verses 18 to 19, Jesus talked about making disciples of all the nations obeying the things he had commanded them and being with them all the time. Matthew also shows Jesus authority over nature by his miracles, his authority over sin by forgiving sins, and his authority over death by his resurrection. The Gods kingdom and heavenly rule are recorded in the following chapters. Chapters 5-7: the constitution of Gods heavenly kingdom, Chapter 13: the appearance of the kingdom at various stages Chapters 24-25: the reality of the kingdom, its conflicts, its future, and the need to be watchful for the return of the King. 9 9 M. Barrow, op.cit. IV. Reactions to the book What is desirable in the Gospel of Matthew is the “Lord’s Prayer” which can be found in chapter 6 verses 9 to 13. It gave in full the model prayer. Two versions of it is found in the New Testament, the other one being in the Gospel of Luke chapter 11 verses 2 to 4. The version in Matthew describes Jesus as teaching people to pray in that manner. Many religions and people all over the world take the prayer literally following the structure as Jesus has uttered it. According to bible translators, the prayer is designed as a “model” only complete with the subject matter. It is a plain guideline on how to pray rather than saying it in a repeated manner. However, Jesus spoke to people about pagans who say their prayer in synagogues. In verse 7, Jesus despised the people who announce their prayers loudly. He told the people that “when praying, do not say the same things over and over again, just as the people of the nations do, for they imagine they will get a hearing for their use of many words.” It is doubtful to say that almost all religions specially the Catholic Church applied the “Lord’s Prayer” as literally pronounced in every mass whereas, none in the bible, more specific, in the book of Matthew that Jesus compelled his followers to speak the prayer word for word. The way Matthew authored the Gospel gave us a clear perception of Jesus’ words. As the Gospel of Matthew centers on the Jewish people during that time, it is very apparent that the basic theme of the New Testament is uniquely a Jewish one. Why? Here, records the fulfillment of the Messianic hope. The much-awaited “Messiah” has come but the Jewish congregation despised their Redeemer. An early passage in the Gospel of Matthew portrays Gentile wise men recognising that the promised deliverer is to be "King of the Jews." In the early stages of the spread of the good news about the Messiah, it is only Jews and those Gentiles who were under the influence of Judaism who were prepared to receive and understand the message about the arrival of the long-expected Redeemer. 10 However, the Gospel’s focus was not on the fulfillment of the Jewish messianic hope alone but also on the salvation from sin of all people. One commentary found inconsistencies in the account of Matthew whom Canaanites, Syrians, and Phoenicians were banned as dogs. In Matthews gospel, Samaritans are, of course, included on the list of banned ‘dog-type peoples, thus quoting Chapter 10 verse 5 of the Gospel which says: "Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." Here, the focus of Jesus’ ministry is on the Israelites or Jews alone. Ironically, in chapter 4 verse 23, it says, "And he went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people. His fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, and paralytics, and he healed them. Great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis and Jerusalem and Judea and from beyond the Jordan.” Once again, we read on Matthew Chapter 4 verse13 that Gentiles were dogs but we might notice here that Syria, Galilee (of the Gentiles), the Decapolis, and the lands beyond the Jordan are Gentile territories. 11 10 A. Brickner, 1997. Jewish NT? 11 (Gentiles and Jews, Anon., 200?). It is also interesting to say that Matthew did not aim only for recording the accounts of Jesus from birth to ministry to death but also taught us much essential information on history, science, philosophy, ethics, religion and daily reflection based on life experiences that Jesus spoke on his narratives and parables. The nativity and the origin of Jesus’ lineage bring us back to the olden times of the Hebrew Scriptures. They provide us brief recall of the past prophets and their prophecies concerning the Kingdom and the places in which they had been, stood up until this day. The conception of Mary through the Holy Spirit gives us a hint that science and mysticism can be combined. However, as Philosophy plays a part in science, it is highly evident that Jesus’ was truly the Son of God by the way he speaks of things that has come and will come. Let us not forget too that so many times in the Gospel, Jesus’ had disputes with the scribes and Pharisees concerning the old law and their apparent hypocrisy and resistance on the presence of the Son of God. Ethics as a branch of Philosophy declares the morals and virtues of the enemies of Christ, even the completely Jewish community who unite with the Roman government in approving the killing of the Messiah. Very few actually believed and followed Jesus’ in spite of the teachings, miracles, mercy, and healing that he had given his people but the true Christians (the apostles) who suffered tribulation remain in favor of Christ. V. Conclusion The account of the Gospel of Matthew focuses on the substance of Jesus’ teaching. A tax collector who served for the Roman Empire was an unlikely author and evangelist. He was likely a much-hated person because the Jewish religious leaders look down on tax collectors as “sinners” because it is common for such job to impose higher than what a citizen should pay. Evidently, Jesus chose Matthew to write as a Jew to his fellow Jews. His aim is to present to them the evidence for Jesus claim to be the King of the Jews.12 From the time he was called to follow Jesus up to the time of resurrection, no record has been found on Matthew that he wavered his discipleship in return to his old presumably abundant life. Thereby, inspired by the Holy Spirit and serving as the inspiration through the ministry of Jesus Christ, Matthew prevailed in completing his writing of this Gospel. Matthew writes his gospel account to give us the view of Jesus as the King. He ends up the book on the event in the mountain of Galilee where the disciples of Jesus to witness his ascension to heaven. Then he declares to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth is given to me. Go, therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:18-20). Matthew sealed the Gospel giving much emphasis on Jesus as the Messiah, Redeemer, and King. He held no further record about after the ascension nor the dealings of his disciples. 12 D. Schwager, op.cit. VI. Bibliography Books Jacquier, J.E., 1911. St. Matthew. In The Catholic Encyclopedia. [e-book] New York: Robert Appleton Company. Available at: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10056b.htm [Accessed 22 Dec 2008]. Wathctower and Bible Tract Society. New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures. New York, p.1881. [Accessed 21 Dec 2008]. E-books Barrow, M., 1995. The Four Gospels. Available at: http://www.domini.org/tabern/gospel.htm. [Accessed on 22 Dec 2008]. Cline, A., 2008. Matthew the Apostle: Profile & Biography of Matthew the Apostle. Available at: http://atheism.about.com/od/biblepeoplenewtestament/p/MatthewApostle.htm. [Accessed on 22 Dec 2008]. Lendering, J., 2008. Herod Antipas: The House of Hero. Available at: http://www.livius.org/he-hg/herodians/herod_antipas.html. [Accessed 22 Dec 2008]. Websites Brickner, A., 1997. Jewish NT? Available at: http://groups.google.com.ph/group/alt.messianic/browse_thread/thread/7b89845de7ddb559. [Accessed 24 Dec 2008]. CliffsNotes, 2008. Summaries and Commentaries on the Gospel of Matthew. Available at: http://www.cliffsnotes.com/WileyCDA/LitNote/New-Testament-of-the-Bible-Summaries-and-Commentaries-The-Gospel-of-Matthew.id-85,pageNum-30.html. [Accessed 23 Dec 2008]. Jehovahs Witnesses Official Web Site, Online Bible, 2006. New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures. Available at: http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/index.htm. [Accessed on 22 Dec 2008.] Merriam-Webster Online, 2008. Genealogy in Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary.. Available at: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/genealogy. [Accessed on 22 Dec 2008]. Samaritans and Roman Centurions, 200?. Gentiles and Jews in the Gospel of Matthew .Available at: http://www.awitness.org/essays/samcent.html. [Accessed 24 Dec 2008]. Schwager, D., 2002. Introduction to the Gospel of Matthew: a commentary & meditation, The Gospel of the Kingdom of God. Available at: http://www.rc.net/wcc/readings/matintro.htm [Accessed 23 Dec 2008]. Read More