NT Survey I

Overview of Gospels
and
Gospel of Matthew
 Overview of the Gospels
The term gospel means good news.
For a number of years after Jesus earthly ministry, the gospel
message was spread orally.
Written accounts of Jesus life and ministry were necessary as
eyewitnesses began to die off and the spread of Christianity
required more than oral witnesses.
Each gospel writer, under the inspiration of the Holy
Spirit, chose from all that Jesus taught and did and
constructed his account with a particular audience in
mind and for a particular purpose.
Matthew writing to Jews as an apostolic eyewitness of the
ministry of Jesus; emphasizes Jesus as Messiah, the kingdom.
Mark a close associate of the Apostle Peter, his gospel
account to Gentiles summarizes Peters preaching;
emphasizes Jesus as Servant and Son of God who is to be
followed.
Luke a close associate of Paul and a careful historian, writing
to Gentiles; only non-Jewish writer in the NT; emphasizes
Jesus as Son of Man. Wrote largest percentage of NT.
John Like Matthew, an apostolic eyewitness of the ministry of
Jesus. His is an evangelistic gospel written to unbelieving
Jews and Godfearers and emphasizing Jesus as the Son of
God.
 Synoptic Gospel Source
Theories
Matthean Priority
Two-Source
Two-Source
Hypothesis and Literary
Independence
Eyewitness Personal Eyewitnesses
Sources Notations Oral Tradition
Q MARK
A.D. 50 A.D. 65
MATTHEW LUKE
(Eyewitness) A.D. 60-61
A.D. 55-60

MATTHEW LUKE

MARK
A.D. 68

Peter
(Eyewitness)
Gospel of Matthew
 Introductory Matters
Author
Though the writer does not identify himself,
both church tradition and early manuscripts
ascribe this gospel to the Apostle Matthew.
Matthew (aka Levi) a former tax collector for
the Roman government, called as an Apostle of
Jesus Christ (Matt. 9:9).
Date: Written before 70 AD. Scholars differ
on how early, with a range from 40 to 60
AD.
Audience: Jews, as is clear from Matthews
purpose in writing and frequent appeals to
the OT.
 Major Themes in Matthew
God this term appears some 48
times; all 3 members of the trinity are
referred to.
Kingdom of Heaven/Kingdom of
God/King
Fulfillment of the OT
The Teaching (including parables) and
Miracles of Jesus
 Purpose Statement for
Matthew
Matthew writes to demonstrate to his
fellow Jews that Jesus of Nazareth is
the promised Messiah of the Old
Testament, and that He will return to
rule in power and glory despite
Israels rejection of Him.
 Structure of Matthew
Six Major Discourses
Sermon on the Mount (5:1 7:29) Jesus
contrasts the teaching of the scribes and
Pharisees with His own, revealing the true intent
of the Law.
Sending out the Twelve (10:1 11:1) Jesus sent
His disciples to proclaim the same message He
had, gave them power to perform the same
authenticating works, and warned them of the
opposition they would face.
Mysteries of the Kingdom (13:1-53) Jesus turns
to a parabolic ministry in light of His rejection by
Israels leaders. These parables provide new
revelation about the nature of the kingdom until
His second coming.
 Structure of Matthew
Six Major Discourses
Character of Kingdom Citizens (18:1 19:1) Jesus
makes clear that those who wish to be great in His
kingdom must become like children. They must also
be willing to humbly confront others and to forgive
others.
Rebuke of Israels Leaders (23:1-39) Jesus soundly
rebukes the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees,
and predicts the desolation of Jerusalem (23:37-39).
Olivet Discourse (24:1 26:1) Jesus teaches His
disciples about events of Daniels 70th week,
culminating in His return to the earth and the
establishment of His kingdom. This discourse also
includes parables on faithfulness in the present age.
 Three Major Movements in
Matthew
Matthew 1 10
The presentation of Jesus of Nazareth as the indisputable
King of the Jews, including His Davidic lineage, prophesied
birth and forerunner, fitness to rule, and authoritative
teaching and works.
Matthew 11 12
In these two chapters Matthew shows how most of those to
whom Christ ministered rejected Him. While opposition to
Christ had begun as early as Herods attempt to have Him
killed as an infant, and continued throughout Jesus public
ministry, it is here that it reaches critical mass.
Matthew 13 28
Chapter 13 begins the final section of Matthews gospel, in
which he describes the remainder of Jesus ministry in light
of His rejection by the nations leaders. Jesus provides new
instruction about the kingdom to His disciples in light of this
rejection, much of it in parables.
 Outline of Matthew
Matthew 1 10
Presentation of the King (1 4)
Documents Jesus davidic lineage, birth, forerunner, fitness to rule
(temptation), and opening public ministry.
Proclamation of the King (5 7)
Theme passage of this sermon is 5:17-20. Christ is contrasting the teaching of
the Scribes and Pharisees with His own authoritative teaching and clarifying the
true intent of the Law.
Power of the King (8 10)
Miraculous works performed by Christ as a messianic ID card. Power given to
the apostles as well.
Matthew 11 - 12
Progressive Rejection of the King (11 12)
Transitional chapters that show that most of those to whom Christ ministered,
especially the religious leaders, did not believe (see 11:20-24 and 12:22-24).
Prompts Christs turn to a parabolic ministry.
Matthew 13 28
Preparation of the Kings Disciples (13 20)
Jesus begins to spend more time with His disciples and less with the multitudes.
After leading the disciples to Peters great confession (16:16), Christ begins to
speak explicitly about His impending death and resurrection (16:21).
Presentation and Rejection of the King (21 27)
The final week of Christs life, including the triumphal entry, teaching in the
Temple and on the Mount of Olives, last supper, betrayal, arrest and trial,
crucifixion and burial.
Proof of the King (28)
He is risen! Christs commission to the disciples.
 The Mediatorial Kingdom of
God through History

Northern
Kingdom
Descent of
Rapture Return of
722
the Spirit Christ
BC

United
King. New
7 heavens
Southern & earth
586 1000 years
Kingdom BC

Mysteries of the
Kingdom (Matt 13)
 Matthews Use of the Old
Testament
The formula: that what was spoken through
the prophet might be fulfilled or something
similar.
Not always a simple prediction and fulfillment
(see Biblical Meaning of Fulfillment by
Charles H. Dyer). Matthews meaning must
be determined by context both in the OT and
the NT.
Examples:
Out of Egypt did I call my Son (Hos 11:1-2 in
Matt 2:15).
Rachel weeping for her children (Jer 31:15 in
Matt 2:17-18).
Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Zech 9:9 in
Matt 21:4-5).
Next Week: Gospel of Mark