The Gospel of Matthew

Who wrote the Gospel of Matthew?

Matthew, one of Jesus' twelve apostles, wrote this gospel. Before his call to follow Jesus (Matthew 9:9-13) he occupied the unpopular post of tax collector in Capernaum for the Roman Government.

Matthew was a Jew and as a trained tax collector he was accustomed to taking notes and likely wrote down many of his experiences with Jesus.

When was this gospel written?

Matthew was written in its present and final form after Jesus went back to heaven. We can't be sure exactly but probably between 50 - 60 A.D.

What was the purpose for writing?

1. Matthew wanted to show unbelieving Jews that Jesus is the Messiah. He had found and accepted Jesus and wanted his fellow Jews to accept Him.

2. Matthew also wanted to encourage other Jewish Christians with this gospel.

What is this gospel's message and content?

1. Matthew is a very Jewish gospel in that it presents the life of Jesus as Israel's promised Messiah and king and royal descendant of David.

2. The content of Matthew contains about 130 Old Testament quotations and allusions which are used to prove that Jesus fulfilled what the prophets foretold.

3. Matthew emphasizes Jesus as the teacher. There are five key discourses in the gospel.

a)The Sermon on the Mount (ch. 5-7)

b) Instruction for the disciples (ch. 10)

c) Parables of the Kingdom (ch. 13)

d) Instructions concerning discipleship (ch. 18)

e) The Olivet Discourse (ch. 24, 25)

4. Matthew contains the most elaborate rendition of the Great Commission.

One important message in Matthew is the Great Commission found in 28:18-20.