Matthew

What do you see in this book that tells you about the original Reader?

The main focus in the book of Matthew is directed towards Jewish readers. The book of Matthew offers unquestionable proof as Jesus as the long awaited Messiah who fulfills the prophecies of the Old Testament. Jesus spent the majority of his time with Jewish people and also commanded that his disciples only preach to their own people. (10:5-7) In conclusion we see that the original reader is primarily the Jewish people.

What do you see in this book that tells you about the author?

There is no strong evidence on who the exact author is. Though it is believed by church tradition that Matthew, Jesus disciple is the author. Before Matthew became a disciple of Jesus, Matthew was a jewish tax collector in Capernaum for the Roman government. (9:9-13) As a tax collector you would probably keep well records and notes of what went on around you. In conclusion the character of Matthew seems to fit well with the Gospel.

What are the main themes and repeated ideas in the book and a one sentence summary of the "main idea"?

The book of Matthew has 5 main discourses, the Sermon on the Mount (5:3-7:27), Instruction of the Disciples (10:5-42), Parables of the Kingdom (13:3-52), Terms of Discipleship (18:3-35), and the Olivet Discourse (24:4-25:46). Now though these are the main key topical discourses, faith is a big repeated idea throughout the book. Both great faith and little faith are addressed countless times. For example in (8:5-13) a Roman officer pleads with Jesus that his young servant is paralyzed and in terrible pain and Jesus says "I will come and heal him" the officer responds "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed." in result Jesus was pleased with the officer's great faith and healed the servant from where he talked to the officer. In (9:19-22) a woman who suffered from constant bleeding for 12 years touches Jesus robe in a crowd because she knew if she could touch his robe she would be healed. In result Jesus is pleased with her faith and she is made well. In (14:28-32) Jesus is walking on water during the storm when the disciples are in the boat and Jesus calls to Peter to come to him and so Peter steps out of the boat and when he takes his eyes off Jesus he begins to sink and in result Jesus addresses that he has little faith and that he should not have doubted Jesus. As you can see faith is a main repeated theme throughout the book.

Another repeated theme throughout Matthew is the countless healings and miracles Jesus does.
Healing on the sabbath of the man with a shrivelled hand 12:13
Healing of the demon possed man who was blind and mute 12:22
Healing of a man with leprosy 8:2-3
Multiplication of the bread and fish 14:19-21, 15:33-38

What is the primary reason this book was written?

The primary reason the book of Matthew was written was to show the Jewish people that Jesus was the messiah that had been prophesied about in the Old Testament and that he came to fulfill their purposes. (5:17)

What does this book show about the character and nature of God?

God tends to speak to people in dreams in the beginning of the book. (1:20, 2:12, 2:13, 2:19, 2:22)
We see that Jesus is full of compassion. In 8:2-3 a man with leprosy says to Jesus if you are willing,  you can heal me and make me clean and Jesus responds "I am willing,". It is in God's character and nature to heal. Also Jesus has authority over everything. (8:26, 8:28-32) Jesus also shows his righteous anger when he gets to the Temple and sees it being used for the wrong purpose. (21:12-13) As you can see these are some of the characteristics and nature of God displayed throughout the book of Matthew.

What does this book show about God's redemptive plan for mankind?

8:11-12
"And I tell you this, that many Gentiles will come from all over the world- from east and west-and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven. But many Israelites-those for whom the Kingdom was prepared-will be thrown into outer darkness..."

These verses indicate that their is going to be redemption for the Gentiles specifically and that they will be grafted into the promises of Israel.

5:17
"Don't misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No I came to accomplish their purpose." We know that the prophets all foretold the death and resurrection of the messiah and Jesus himself quotes his death and resurrection. (12:40, 17:22-23, 20:18-19)


Personal Application

One of the things that has stuck out and also challenged me is to strengthen my quiet times. I noticed twice that Jesus got away and made time for him and his father in Matthew. Quiet times are important and if Jesus did it then I should be doing it too.