The Gospel of Matthew is often called the first gospel and it was a favourite of the early church, just as it still is today. It provides a direct link to the Old Testament, showing Jesus to be the promised Davidic Messiah.
According to tradition Matthew’s Gospel was written by Levi the tax collector who became one of Jesus’ original 12 disciples and was later called Matthew. The story of the calling of Levi the tax collector is told in both Mark and Luke. However in the identical account in Matthew, it is Matthew the tax collector who is called (Matthew 9:9, Mark 2:14, Luke 5:27). This is seen as a self-identification of the author. This is further confirmed when the Matthew listed as one of Jesus’ 12 apostles is uniquely identified as ‘the tax collector’ in Matthew’s gospel (10:3).
Throughout Matthew we read of Jesus fulfilling Old Testament prophecy. This is evidenced by the 14 occurrences of ‘that it might be fulfilled’ found throughout the book (1:22, 2:15,17,22, 4:14, 8:17, 12:17, 13:14,34, 21:4, 26:52,55, 27:9, 35). Matthew therefore serves as the bridge between Old and New Testaments. The promises of God to Israel found in the Old Testament find their fulfilment in the person of Jesus Christ.
The way Matthew presents his Gospel is by alternating between Jesus’ teaching and miracles, or as we might say Jesus’ word and deeds. The structure of Matthew is often debated, however there are clear markers which indicate the conclusion of five distinct sections. These are narrative sections which conclude with sermons that end with ‘when Jesus had finished these sayings’ (7:28, 11:1, 13:53, 19:1, 26:1). If this is to be followed, there are seven major sections with the birth and death and resurrection of Jesus bookending these five discourses:
1:1-2:23 - Birth of Jesus Christ
3:1-7:29 - Narrative followed by Sermon on the mount
8:1-11:1 - Narrative followed by Sending out disciples
11:2-13:53 - Narrative followed by Sermon on parables
13:54-19:2 - Narrative followed by Sermon on greatness
19:3-26:5 - Narrative followed by Olivet Discourse
26:6-28:20 - Crucifixion and Resurrection
Matthew records the birth of Jesus from Joseph’s perspective. It is from Matthew that we have the account of the wise men, as well as Mary and Joseph’s flight to Egypt. Matthew records the Sermon of the Mount and many parables concerning the kingdom of God found nowhere else.
The book begins by introducing the generations of Jesus the Messiah, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham. It then gives the genealogy of Jesus tracing the royal line of David. Throughout the book Jesus is presented as the promised Messiah the King of the Jews. As a result, Jesus is presented as acting with the authority and certainty of a king. The message He preached was the Gospel of the Kingdom (4:23). Throughout Matthew there is a focus on the Kingdom of God or as Mathew prefers the Kingdom of Heaven. The Kingdom is both imminent in the person of Jesus as well as a future event when He comes again in glory.
What is also of great significance is Jesus’ role as saviour. The angel announces to Joseph that he shall call the child Jesus for He will save His people from their sins (1:21). At the cross Jesus is mocked that He saved others but cannot save Himself (27:39-43). Yet the truth is that He doesn’t save Himself because he came save others.
The Gospel of Matthew culminates with the death and resurrection of Jesus and what is commonly called the ‘Great Commission’: He commanded His disciples to preach His Gospel and to make disciples around the world baptising them in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.