(1) Book Information

1.1 Title and Definition
• Title: Matthew – named after the traditional author, the apostle Matthew (also called Levi), a former tax collector turned disciple of Jesus
• Definition: The first Gospel in the New Testament, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah, the fulfilment of Old Testament prophecy, and the authoritative teacher inaugurating the kingdom of heaven

1.2 Authorship and Context
• Author: Traditionally attributed to Matthew the apostle; early Church Fathers such as Papias and Irenaeus support this attribution, although modern scholars debate the precise authorship based on literary dependence on Mark
• When: Likely written between AD 70–90, possibly in Antioch or a Jewish-Christian community within the broader Greco-Roman world
• Audience: Primarily Jewish Christians familiar with Hebrew Scriptures; also intended for a broader audience including Gentiles
• Purpose: To demonstrate that Jesus is the fulfilment of messianic prophecies, to present His authoritative teaching, and to establish the ethical and spiritual framework for the kingdom of God

1.3 Literary and Thematic Features
• Literary and Rhetorical Features: Structured around five major teaching discourses; uses inclusio, chiastic structures, fulfilment formulae, genealogy, parables, and typology; contains both narrative and didactic elements
• Key Themes: Fulfilment of prophecy, kingdom of heaven, righteousness, discipleship, authority of Jesus, reversal of expectations, and the identity of Jesus as Messiah
• Themes of Redemption and Christology
○ Jesus is presented as the new Moses, delivering the definitive teaching of God (Matt. 5–7)
○ His virgin birth, death, and resurrection fulfil Old Testament messianic promises (Matt. 1:22–23; 12:40; 28:6)
○ The atonement is anticipated in His sacrificial death (Matt. 20:28)
○ His title “Son of David” connects Him to covenantal kingship
• Symbolism and Imagery
○ The mountain symbolises divine revelation (Sermon on the Mount, Transfiguration)
○ Light and salt represent disciples’ moral influence
○ Parables use agricultural and social imagery to reveal the mysteries of the kingdom

1.4 Canonical and Interconnected Significance
• Structure: Begins with a genealogy and birth narrative, followed by baptism, temptation, five teaching discourses interwoven with miracles, Passion narrative, and resurrection
• Canonical Significance: Opens the New Testament; provides the bridge from Old Testament prophecy to New Testament fulfilment; foundational for early Church catechesis
• Interconnections
○ Related Books: Builds upon the Old Testament (especially Isaiah, Psalms, and Deuteronomy); parallels Mark and Luke as part of the Synoptic Gospels
○ Connections to the Old Testament: Heavily cites and echoes OT prophecies; portrays Jesus as the fulfilment of the law, the true Israel, and the suffering servant
○ Connections to the New Testament: Sets the tone for the Gospels; influences Acts, Pauline theology, and early ecclesiology
○ Prophetic and Messianic References: Over a dozen direct fulfilment quotations (e.g., Matt. 1:22, 2:6, 4:14–16, 12:17) affirm Jesus as the promised Messiah
○ Connections with Judaism: Rooted in Jewish tradition and law; reinterprets the Torah through Christ’s authority; engages with Pharisaic debates
○ Connections with Islam: Jesus (ʿĪsā) is honoured as a prophet in the Qur’an; some shared moral teachings, though diverging in Christological interpretation
• Key Passages or Verses: Matthew 1:23 – “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”
Matthew 5:17 – “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets”
Matthew 16:16 – “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God”
Matthew 28:19–20 – “Go and make disciples of all nations… I am with you always”

(2) Characters

2.1 Main Figures and Their Roles
• Role of Authors: Matthew presents Jesus’ identity, teaching, and mission through structured narrative and theological reflection, focusing on fulfilment and discipleship
• Who are the Main Characters: Jesus Christ, Mary and Joseph, John the Baptist, the twelve disciples, the Pharisees and Sadducees, various crowds, Gentiles like the Magi and the Centurion, Pontius Pilate, and the risen Jesus

2.2 Roles in Theological Framework
• The Role of God
○ The Father – Directs redemptive history, reveals His will through Jesus, and remains present throughout the Gospel narrative
○ The Son – Central figure as Messiah, teacher, fulfiller of the law, Son of Man, and divine Lord; embodies God’s kingdom and salvation
○ The Holy Spirit – Active in Jesus’ conception (Matt. 1:18), baptism (Matt. 3:16), empowerment (Matt. 4:1), and commissioning (Matt. 28:19)
• The Role of Priests, Prophets, and Kings: Jesus is presented as the true prophet (Matt. 13:57), priest (Matt. 26:28), and king (Matt. 2:2; 27:37); religious leaders are challenged for hypocrisy
• Role of the Church: Introduced in Matt. 16:18; tasked with making disciples, upholding Christ’s teachings, and embodying kingdom values
• Role of Men and Women: Women are included in the genealogy, witness the resurrection, and model discipleship (e.g., Mary, the Canaanite woman, the women at the tomb)

(3) Background

3.1 Geographical, Historical, and Cultural Context
• Geographical Context: Primarily set in Galilee and Judea, including Bethlehem, Nazareth, Capernaum, and Jerusalem; ends with a universal commission from Galilee
• Historical Context: Set during the Roman occupation of Judea in the early first century AD; reflects tension between Roman power, Jewish expectations, and early Christian identity
• Cultural Context: Jewish law and temple worship were central; oral tradition, scribal authority, and messianic expectation shaped religious thought; Pharisees and Sadducees influenced religious discourse

3.2 Broader Context and Practices

1. Broader Context of the Ancient Near East: Roman imperial rule, Hellenistic influence, and apocalyptic Jewish movements created fertile ground for messianic anticipation
2. Influence of Israel’s Neighbours: Greek philosophical ideas, Roman governance, and regional tensions inform the Gospel’s cultural background
3. Cultural and Ethical Influences: The Gospel engages ethical questions of justice, purity, generosity, and humility, often in contrast to prevailing norms
4. Cultural Practices
   ○ Rituals such as baptism, Sabbath observance, and temple offerings are reinterpreted in light of Jesus’ teaching
   ○ Honour and shame dynamics affect social interactions
   ○ Rabbinic instruction methods like parables are used extensively

(4) Theological and Historical Significance

1. The Book as a Theological Bridge: Bridges the Old and New Testaments, connecting Jewish law and prophecy with the life and mission of Christ
2. Theological Significance: Establishes Christ’s identity, mission, and teachings as central to the kingdom of God; grounds Christian ethics in the Sermon on the Mount
3. Spiritual Themes: Righteousness, repentance, divine presence, discipleship, forgiveness, mercy, kingdom inclusion, and final judgement
4. Key Lessons for Faith and Practice: Christ calls His followers to a radical standard of holiness rooted in grace. Discipleship demands both obedience and dependence. The kingdom of heaven is both now and not yet
5. The Book in Christian Theology: Foundational for Christology, soteriology, ecclesiology, and ethics; key text in catechesis, liturgy, and missions
6. Historical Reception: Universally received by the early Church; quoted extensively by Church Fathers; influential in shaping liturgical readings and theological frameworks

(5) Interfaith and Cultural Perspectives

1. Literary Unity with the Torah (or Canon): Reflects and reinterprets the Torah through the lens of Jesus; fulfils prophetic literature and establishes new covenant theology
2. The Book in Jewish Tradition: While not part of Jewish canon, the Gospel’s Jewish character and deep engagement with Hebrew Scriptures make it a subject of interfaith dialogue
3. Connections with Islam: Jesus is honoured as a prophet and Messiah in Islam; some of His teachings in Matthew resonate with Qur’anic ethics, though major Christological differences remain
4. Influence on Western Civilisation: Profoundly shaped moral philosophy, law, education, art, and social reform; the Sermon on the Mount has impacted secular and religious ethics
5. Scientific Perspectives: Studied in historical Jesus research, textual criticism, linguistic analysis of Koine Greek, and cultural anthropology of first-century Judaism
6. Global Perspective: Universally translated and disseminated; central to global evangelism, interreligious dialogue, and Christian discipleship across cultures

(6) Ethical, Practical, and Philosophical Insights

1. Mystical and Esoteric Interpretations: The Beatitudes and parables have been interpreted allegorically and mystically in contemplative traditions, symbolising spiritual ascent and inner transformation
2. Comparative Mythology: While sharing narrative motifs such as divine birth and miracle-working, Matthew distinguishes itself by historical grounding and ethical depth
3. Ethical and Philosophical Reflections: Challenges legalism and moral relativism; presents a vision of kingdom ethics rooted in love, humility, and justice
4. Ethical Teachings and Practical Applications
   ○ Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you
   ○ Forgive as you have been forgiven
   ○ Seek first the kingdom and His righteousness
   ○ Be salt and light in a darkened world
5. Relevance to Contemporary Issues and Ongoing Relevance: Speaks directly to issues of social justice, religious hypocrisy, wealth and poverty, inclusivity, and global mission; remains a cornerstone of moral formation and public ethics

(7) Interpretative and Theological Challenges

1. Interpretative Challenges: Understanding the relationship between law and grace, interpreting parables contextually, and harmonising with other Gospels
2. Theological Debates: The nature of the kingdom, the Sermon on the Mount’s applicability (ideal vs. practical), and the exclusivity of salvation in Christ
3. Key Questions Addressed: Who is Jesus? What does it mean to fulfil the law? What is the kingdom of heaven like? How should disciples live in a fallen world?