Gospel of Matthew

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Gospel of Matthew

• 85 C.E.
• Jewish Christian Community
• 5 discourses
• Law of Love- Love God with all your heart soul,
  mind and love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus
  showed concern for others, especially the
  outcast, the poor.

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Historical Background

• 70 C.E. The Romans destroyed Jerusalem and the
  Temple in response to a Jewish uprising (due to a
  revolt by the Zealots). This marked the end of
  the Sadducees and the rise of the Pharisees.
  Judaism went into a period of strict legalism to
  keep the traditions pure.
• 85 C.E. The Council of Jamnia. This was a Jewish
  Council whose purpose was to preserve the Jewish
  life by preserving the law and the tradition way
  of the Jewish religion. (LAW AND PRACTICE) This
  council took action against the growing Jewish
  CHRISTIAN community which felt the Messiah had
  came and this group didnt follow the TORAH
  strictly.

3
Historical Background

• Jewish Council was fearful of the power of the
  growing Christian community, a community which
  had deserted Jerusalem during the Roman invasion.
• The Jews had 2 enemies
• Romans, and the Christians

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Historical Background

• Pharisees and Scribes in Matthews gospel reflect
  the reaction of Matthews community to the
  Council of Jamnia.
• The Pharisees and Scribes represent the
  synagogues of Matthews time an enemy to be
  fought and refuted.

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THEMES

• The Christian Church is the true Israel, the
  REMNANT.(Isaiah I)
• Jesus is the Messiah, he brought the true and
  final interpretation of the Law.
• Christians are chosen to show the Kingdom of
  Heaven(GOD) in their lives
• THE LAW OF LOVE

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Structure 5 discourses Matthews gospel
alternates between DISCOURSES-(long speeches) and
NARRATIVES-(story)Chapter

• Narrative 1-4 N
• 8-9 N
• 11-12N

• Discourses
• 5-7 D Sermon on the Mount Jesus gives 8
  Beatitudes
• 10 D (Mission of Apostles)

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Turning Point

• 13 Discourse
• Chapter 13 is the turning point the plot where
  the storys action changes
• Matthew is done with the subject of the Old
  Israel, the Pharisees, and all the negative
  questions and attempts to tramp Jesus. Jesus
  turns away from the Old Israel (Jews) which
  reject him
• Matthew directs new emphasis to be put on the
  New Israel-the disciples and the church, which
  believe in him.
• CHURCHKINGDOM

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Structure

• 14-17 N
• 19-22 N
• 26-28 N the Passion
• Resurrection
• Jesus trial, death and return to life

• 18 D
• Authority of Apostles
• 23--25 D DISCIPLESHIP
• Discourse ends with this statement
• When Jesus had finished these sayings
• 728, 111, 1353, 191, 261

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Terms in Matthews Gospel

• Pharisees hypocrites who talk about the Law but
  do not practice the Law. Fail to see the Law of
  Love which should govern all Laws
• True Disciple teaches and practices the Law of
  Love, and recognizes Love as the principle for
  interpreting all laws. A person of faith, whos
  absolute trust is in the will of God.

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Terms in Matthews Gospel

• The Law completion of the Law of Moses.
• LAW OF LOVE LOVE GOD Neighbor
• Judgment each man will be judged pm his
  observance of the Law of Love
• The Church completion of past and old covenant,
  The TRUE ISRAEL
• JESUS CHRIST IS THE NEW MOSES

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Matthews Gospel

• Authority of Jesus is given to his church.
• Mission of Church is to teach all men to observe
  Jesus Law.
• - teach the Good News

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Purpose of Matthews Gospel

• Present Jesus as Teacher
• Present Jesus as Promised Messiah
• Present Jesus as New Moses

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Comparison

• F.A.R.M
• Moses was the founder of the Jewish Religion in
  the Old Testament

• Jesus was the founder of Christianity
• Matthews audience were Jewish Christians very
  familiar with Old Testament

14
Jesus as New MosesBirth and Infancy

• Moses
• Placed in a Basket floated down the Nile
• Found by Egyptian Princess

• Jesus
• Born in a manger
• Virgin gave birth to Jesus
• Worshipped by three kings(wise men)

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Escaped Massacre (early death)

• When Moses was an infant the Pharaoh order the
  death of all Hebrew baby boys

• Joseph, Mary and Jesus fled to Egypt to escape
  the slaughter of all 2 year old males (and
  younger) in Bethlehem

16
Exiled

• Moses goes to Midian until the Pharaoh dies
• Moses had killed a man- goes to Palestine

• Jesus live in Egypt until Herod dies

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Prayer and Fasting

• Moses fasted and prayed 40 days in the desert,
  before receiving the Ten Commandments
• Moses received the LAW on Mount Sinai
• in the form of the Ten Commandments

• Jesus fasted and prayed 40 days in the desert
  before giving the Sermon on the Mount
• Jesus gave the Law in the form of the Beatitudes

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kingdoms

• Moses was shown the promise land from Mt. Nebo

• Jesus is shown the kingdom of the whole cosmos

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Highlights of Chapters 1-4

• Ancestors of Jesus
• 42 generations from Abraham to Jesus
• Birth of Jesus- unusual circumstances
• Visitors from East
• Flight to Egypt( return)
• John the Baptist (Jesus cousin)
• Temptation of Jesus(adult)
• Jesus Public Ministry
• Calling of the 1st 4 apostles (why fishermen?)
• patient

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Matthews Gospel

• While reading, note well
• The many references Matthew makes to the Hebrew
  Scriptureand the prophets (why?)
• The social customs of the Jewish people in Jesus
  time
• (Social customs verses Religious Truths)
• The constancy or unchanging qualities of humans
  (emotions and feelings)
• The parallels Moses/covenant Jesus/covenant