Introduction to the Gospel of Matthew

The Author

From the earliest days of the church, this Gospel has been attributed to Matthew, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. Matthew was also called Levi, a tax collector by trade before being called to follow Christ (Matthew 9:9). This was not a popular occupation in Jewish society since tax collectors were often seen as traitors working for Rome. That Matthew would be chosen as a disciple shows us how Jesus reached for people others would never consider. It also suggests that Matthew was an organized, detail-oriented man, skills that show up in the way he writes his Gospel. He carefully arranges Jesus' teachings into sections, almost like a teacher preparing lessons for students. Though some modern scholars question whether Matthew personally wrote the Gospel, the testimony of the early church fathers consistently supports his authorship. Men like Papias, Irenaeus, and Origen all mention Matthew as the writer. The Jewish tone, heavy use of Old Testament quotations, and concern with prophecy all fit well with Matthew's background and personality.

The Date of Writing

Dating the Gospel is not a precise science, but most conservative scholars place it between A.D. 60 and 70. This is early enough that eyewitnesses to Jesus' ministry were still alive but late enough to reflect the church's growing separation from Judaism. Some argue for an earlier date, in the 50s, since Matthew makes no mention of the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, which would have been a powerful confirmation of Jesus' prophecy in Matthew 24. Others think it may have been written shortly after the destruction as a way of helping Christians understand what had taken place. Whatever the exact year, Matthew's Gospel stands as one of the earliest written accounts of Jesus' life.

The Audience

Matthew clearly had Jewish readers in mind. He frequently quotes Old Testament Scripture–over sixty times–showing how Jesus fulfills the promises made to Israel. He uses Jewish expressions without always stopping to explain them, assuming his readers would understand. For example, he often refers to "the kingdom of heaven" rather than "the kingdom of God," a phrase more comfortable for Jewish people who avoided speaking the divine name directly. At the same time, Matthew does not exclude Gentiles. He includes them in Jesus' genealogy (mentioning Rahab and Ruth), records the visit of the Magi (non-Jewish wise men), and ends the Gospel with Jesus' command to "make disciples of all the nations" (Matthew 28:19). His audience, then, seems to be Jewish Christians who were learning to understand their faith in light of Jesus, while also recognizing that God's plan was now reaching out to the entire world.

The Purpose

Matthew's purpose is simple but profound: to show that Jesus of Nazareth is the promised Messiah and King. From the opening line, "The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham" (Matthew 1:1), Matthew ties Jesus directly to Israel's history. David represents the royal line; Abraham represents the covenant promises. Jesus fulfills both. Matthew wants his readers to see that Jesus is not just another prophet or teacher but the fulfillment of everything God had been doing for centuries. This is why he constantly introduces stories with phrases like, "This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet..." His Gospel is a bridge between the Old and New Testaments, connecting the prophecies of Israel to the life of Christ. Another purpose is practical: Matthew organizes Jesus' teachings into five major sections (sometimes called "discourses"), which many believe mirrors the five books of Moses. These discourses cover topics like discipleship, mission, the kingdom of heaven, life in the church, and readiness for the end. By arranging the material this way, Matthew makes it easier for believers to remember and apply Jesus' words in daily life.

The Theme

The main theme of Matthew is the Kingdom of Heaven. More than thirty times he uses this phrase, unique to his Gospel. He wants to show that in Jesus, God's kingdom has arrived–not as a political force but as God's rule in the hearts of people. Jesus' miracles demonstrate the power of this kingdom. His parables describe its nature. His death and resurrection secure its victory. Connected to this is the theme of discipleship. Matthew emphasizes what it means to follow Jesus: to leave behind old lives, to embrace humility, to forgive, and to endure persecution. The Sermon on the Mount (chapters 5-7) sets the tone for this discipleship, describing the character of those who belong to the kingdom.

Distinguishing Features of Matthew

Several features set Matthew apart from the other Gospels:

1. Jewish Orientation: Matthew quotes the Old Testament more than any other Gospel writer, showing how Jesus fulfills the Law and the Prophets.

2. Teaching Structure: Matthew arranges Jesus' teachings into five major discourses, each ending with the phrase, "When Jesus had finished these words..." This gives the Gospel a strong teaching outline.

3. Focus on the Kingdom of Heaven: While Mark and Luke use "kingdom of God," Matthew prefers "kingdom of heaven," reflecting Jewish sensitivities about God's name.

4. Genealogy and Birth Narrative: Matthew begins with a genealogy that traces Jesus back to Abraham and David, highlighting His Jewish and royal credentials. His birth story emphasizes fulfillment of prophecy (virgin birth, Bethlehem, flight to Egypt).

5. Peter's Role: Matthew highlights Peter more than the other synoptic Gospels, recording events like Peter walking on water (Matthew 14:28-31) and the promise of the keys of the kingdom (Matthew 16:18-19).

6. Strong Emphasis on Fulfillment: Again and again Matthew points out that Jesus' actions fulfill Old Testament Scripture, underlining his main purpose.

7. Great Commission: Matthew closes with the worldwide mission of the church, reminding us that the Jewish Messiah is also Savior of the nations.

Why Matthew Matters Today

The Gospel of Matthew remains vital for believers because it shows how Jesus completes the story of the Bible. It reminds us that Christianity is not an isolated religion but the fulfillment of God's ancient promises. It teaches us how to live as citizens of the kingdom in the here and now, waiting for its final completion when Christ returns. And it gives us confidence that our faith is rooted not in clever ideas but in God's plan unfolding across history. Matthew's Gospel invites us to see Jesus as King–not just Israel's King, but King of our lives. To read Matthew is to step into the grand story of God's kingdom, to learn the values of