Foreshadowing Jesus in the Book of Matthew

1. Introduction: Overview of the Book and Its Foreshadowing Themes

• Book Overview:
  The Gospel according to Matthew presents Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah and fulfiller of Old Testament prophecy. Writing to a primarily Jewish audience, Matthew repeatedly highlights how Jesus’ life and ministry fulfil what was “spoken through the prophets.” Major themes include kingship, the Kingdom of Heaven, righteousness, discipleship, and fulfilment.
  • Key Verse:
    Matthew 1:22–23 – “All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had said through the prophet… ‘The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel.’”
• Foreshadowing Themes:
  Matthew reveals Jesus as the fulfilment of the Law and the Prophets, the new Moses, the Davidic King, the suffering Servant, and the final Judge. The Gospel does not merely allude to past foreshadowings—it presents Jesus as the One in whom all previous signs and promises converge.
  • Key Verse:
    Matthew 5:17 – “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them.”

2. Historical and Theological Context

• Historical Context:
  Written in the latter half of the 1st century (c. AD 60–80), Matthew addressed Jewish Christians and possibly broader Jewish audiences grappling with Jesus’ Messianic identity. The Gospel bridges Old Testament expectation and New Testament realisation, drawing frequent parallels between Jesus and Israel’s history.
  • Key Verse:
    Matthew 2:15 – “Out of Egypt I called My son.” (Quoting Hosea 11:1, now applied to Jesus)
• Theological Context:
  Theologically, Matthew affirms Jesus as both divine and human, King and Saviour, Teacher and Redeemer. It explores themes such as true righteousness, covenant fulfilment, the reversal of religious expectations, and the inauguration of God’s kingdom through Christ.

3. Narrative Structure and Christ-Centred Motifs

• Structure:
  • Chapters 1–2: Genealogy and birth narrative—Messiah from Abraham and David
  • Chapters 3–7: Jesus’ baptism, temptation, and the Sermon on the Mount
  • Chapters 8–25: Miracles, teachings, parables, and confrontations
  • Chapters 26–28: Passion, crucifixion, resurrection, and Great Commission
• Christ-Centred Motifs:
  • Jesus as the New Moses: He delivers God’s law from a mountain (Sermon on the Mount).
  • Jesus as Emmanuel: God with us in human flesh.
  • Jesus as the Suffering Servant: He bears our sins and is pierced for our transgressions.
  • Jesus as the Davidic King: Born in Bethlehem, heir to the throne.
  • Jesus as the Temple: His body replaces the temple as the place of divine presence.

4. Typology and Symbols of Christ

• Genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:1–17) – Traces His line through Abraham and David.
  • Typological Fulfilment: Jesus is the promised Seed, the true Son of Abraham and Son of David.
• The Flight to Egypt (Matthew 2:14–15) – Echoes Israel’s exile and return.
  • Typological Fulfilment: Jesus embodies the story of Israel, but fulfils it in righteousness.
• Jesus’ Forty Days in the Wilderness (Matthew 4:1–11) – Recalls Israel’s 40 years of testing.
  • Typological Fulfilment: Jesus succeeds where Israel failed.
• Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7) – Echoes the giving of the Law on Sinai.
  • Typological Fulfilment: Jesus gives the Law in its truest form.
• Temple Curtain Torn (Matthew 27:51) – Symbolises access to God through Christ.
  • Typological Fulfilment: Jesus is the mediator and meeting place between God and humanity.

5. Messianic Prophecies and Previews

• Virgin Birth (Matthew 1:23) – Isaiah 7:14 fulfilled in Jesus.
  • Fulfilled in: Luke 1:35 – “The Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God.”
• Birth in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:6) – Micah 5:2 fulfilled.
  • Fulfilled in: Matthew 2:1 – Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea.
• Ministry in Galilee (Matthew 4:14–16) – Isaiah 9:1–2 fulfilled.
  • Fulfilled in: Matthew 4:17 – Jesus began to preach: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
• Healing and Atonement (Matthew 8:17) – Isaiah 53:4 fulfilled.
  • Fulfilled in: Jesus heals the sick and casts out demons as signs of the coming Kingdom.
• Entry on a Donkey (Matthew 21:5) – Zechariah 9:9 fulfilled.
  • Fulfilled in: Jesus enters Jerusalem as the peaceful King.

6. Theological and Christological Significance

• Jesus as the Fulfilment of the Law and Prophets – Matthew stresses that Jesus is the promised Messiah in whom all covenants, types, and prophecies are completed.
• Jesus as King and Judge – He teaches, heals, commands, and will return in glory to judge the nations.
• Christ as the New Israel – He lives the story of Israel, succeeds in obedience, and becomes the covenant representative of His people.
  • Key Verse:
    Matthew 28:18 – “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.”

7. Redemptive Legacy and Christian Application

• Redemptive Legacy:
  Matthew presents Jesus as the fulfilment of every Old Testament promise and the centre of redemptive history. His death and resurrection bring about the new covenant. His teachings reveal the heart of God’s kingdom. His resurrection secures victory over death and assures us of His eternal rule.
• Christian Application:
  • Trust in Christ as the true Messiah: He is the King foretold through the ages.
  • Live the righteousness He teaches: Follow His example and commands.
  • Make disciples of all nations: Obey the Great Commission with confidence in His authority.
  • Hope in His return: The King who came in humility will return in glory.
  • Key Verse:
    Matthew 28:20 – “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

✅ Summary Statement:

The Gospel of Matthew opens the New Testament by declaring that the promised One has arrived. Jesus is the King, the Law-Giver, the Immanuel, and the Redeemer. Every shadow cast in the Old Testament finds its reality in Him.