Matthew Intro
Intro
Matthew’s purpose is to show that God has kept his ancient promises to Israel through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus the Messiah. The long-expected reign of heaven is now coming to earth, bringing the Jewish story to its climax. Matthew begins by highlighting that Jesus was the son of David, Israel’s most famous king, and the son of Abraham, Israel’s founding patriarch. Jesus is the true Israelite and God’s promised Messiah.
The Messiah is shown as reliving the story of Israel—going down into the Jordan River, facing temptation in the wilderness, gathering twelve disciples as twelve new tribes, ascending a mountain to deliver a new Torah, etc. The author highlights the idea of Jesus as a new Moses by collecting his teachings into five long speeches. These are marked off by some variation of the phrase When Jesus had finished saying these things. Just as the Torah had five books, Matthew presents five major sections.
The book concludes by telling how Jesus brought about the great new act of redemption for his people. As in the story of Israel’s Exodus, a Passover meal is celebrated and then deliverance comes. Jesus gives his life for the sake of the world and is then raised from the dead. At the beginning of the book, Jesus is given the name Immanuel, meaning “God with us.” At the end, Jesus sends his followers into the world with the promise that surely I am with you always.
Currently Selected:
Matthew Intro: NIV
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®
Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.
Matthew Introduction
Introduction
The book of Matthew begins by showing that God has kept his promises to Israel. Jesus is the promised Messiah, or king. The rule of God has come to earth. This is what the story of Israel is about. Matthew lists the names of the people in the family line of Jesus. Jesus came from the family line of Abraham, the ancestor of all the tribes of Israel. That family line continued to the great King David. Then Matthew shows that Jesus came from David’s family. God really had kept his ancient promises.
Matthew makes connections between Jesus’ life and the story of Israel. Just as Israel crossed the Jordan River, Jesus went to the Jordan River. As Israel wandered in the desert, Jesus was tempted in the desert. In addition, Matthew presents Jesus as the new Moses. Matthew presents the story of Jesus’ life and work in five parts. These five sections contain the five main speeches given by Jesus. Each speech ends with words similar to “After Jesus finished saying all these things.” These five parts remind us of the five books of Moses in the Old Testament.
Jesus celebrates a Passover meal with his disciples. This is just like the time Israel celebrated the Passover meal before leaving Egypt. After the Passover Israel was freed and no longer in slavery in Egypt. Jesus died on the cross and rose again to make his people free. Those who believe in him will be free from sin and death.
At the beginning of the book, Jesus is given the name “Immanuel.” That name means “God with us.” At the end of the book, Jesus sends his followers into the world. He sends them out with a promise that he would always be with them.
Currently Selected:
:
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version®, NIrV®
Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998, 2014 by Biblica, Inc.®
Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.