1. Each synoptic Gospel has a particular theme, audience, and so forth. Matthew => Jews, king. Mark=> Romans, servant. Luke => Greeks, Son of man.
2. Attestation - certification of Matthew as author (used by church Fathers, allusions to this Book, citation/annotation from Book), the big three (Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian, and Irenaeus), and Papyrus.
3. Dependence and Language - Papyrus said in Hebrew or Aramaic.
4. Matthew was very capable.
5. Occasion and Date - this is a book of history. He wanted to make Jesus the historical king of the Jews. The date was at no time after 70AD because of the Temple destruction. Schofield said 37AD.
6. Outline of the Book (Chapter IDs)
Chapter 1: geneaology of Joseph (royal geneaology)
Chapter 2: Herod and wise men
Chapter 3: Baptism of Christ
Chapter 4: Temptation
Chapter 5-7: Sermon on the Mount
Chapter 8-10: Miracles grouped together
Chapter 12: Unpardonable Sin
Chapter 13: Mysteries of kingdom (seven parables)
Chapter 16: Peter's Confession
Chapter 17: Transfiguration (six months before the cross)
Chapter 23: Woes against the Pharisees
Chapter 24-25: Olivet Discourse
Chapter 26: Last Supper
Chapter 28: Great Commission
7. Points and Peculiarities
a. Matthew is Jewish
b. Chapter Organization - Chronological (Chapters 1-4), Topical (Chapters 5-13), Chronological (Chapters 14-28)
c. Righteous and righteousness are used frequently
d. Church is only used in Matthew 16:18 and Matthew 18:17 in the Gospels and only three times total in the New Testament
8. Interpreting Key Passages
a. Geneaology is different
b. Wise men saw Jesus well past typical manger scenes. He was already in a house. Joseph and Mary did not have enough money to purchase land until wise men gave gold.
c. Sermon on the Mount is for today
d. Matthew's exception on divorce was given to Jewish men
Tom of Bethany "He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (I John 5:12)
Index to Selected Essays And Book Reviews
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