NT Survey INT Survey I

Overview of Gospels Overview of Gospels

andand

Gospel of MatthewGospel of Matthew

Overview of the GospelsOverview of the Gospels The term gospel means “good news.” The term gospel means “good news.”

For a number of years after Jesus’ earthly ministry, the For a number of years after Jesus’ earthly ministry, the gospel message was spread orally.gospel message was spread orally.

Written accounts of Jesus’ life and ministry were necessary as Written accounts of Jesus’ life and ministry were necessary as eyewitnesses began to die off and the spread of Christianity eyewitnesses began to die off and the spread of Christianity required more than oral witnesses.required more than oral witnesses.

Each gospel writer, under the inspiration of the Holy Each gospel writer, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, chose from all that Jesus taught and did and Spirit, chose from all that Jesus taught and did and constructed his account with a particular audience in constructed his account with a particular audience in mind and for a particular purpose.mind and for a particular purpose. MatthewMatthew – writing to Jews as an apostolic eyewitness of the – writing to Jews as an apostolic eyewitness of the

ministry of Jesus; emphasizes Jesus as Messiah, the kingdom.ministry of Jesus; emphasizes Jesus as Messiah, the kingdom. MarkMark – a close associate of the Apostle Peter, his gospel – a close associate of the Apostle Peter, his gospel

account to Gentiles summarizes Peter’s preaching; account to Gentiles summarizes Peter’s preaching; emphasizes Jesus as Servant and Son of God who is to be emphasizes Jesus as Servant and Son of God who is to be followed.followed.

LukeLuke – a close associate of Paul and a careful historian, – a close associate of Paul and a careful historian, writing to Gentiles; only non-Jewish writer in the NT; writing to Gentiles; only non-Jewish writer in the NT; emphasizes Jesus as Son of Man. Wrote largest percentage of emphasizes Jesus as Son of Man. Wrote largest percentage of NT.NT.

JohnJohn – Like Matthew, an apostolic eyewitness of the ministry – Like Matthew, an apostolic eyewitness of the ministry of Jesus. His is an evangelistic gospel written to unbelieving of Jesus. His is an evangelistic gospel written to unbelieving Jews and Godfearers and emphasizing Jesus as the Son of Jews and Godfearers and emphasizing Jesus as the Son of God.God.

Synoptic Gospel Source Synoptic Gospel Source TheoriesTheories

Two-Source Two-Source HypothesisHypothesis

Matthean Priority Matthean Priority and Literary and Literary IndependenceIndependence

QA.D. 50

MARKA.D. 65

MATTHEW LUKE

EyewitnessSources

PersonalNotations

Eyewitnesses

Oral Tradition

MATTHEW(Eyewitness)A.D. 55-60

LUKEA.D. 60-61

MARKA.D. 68

Peter(Eyewitness)

Gospel of MatthewGospel of Matthew

Introductory MattersIntroductory Matters

AuthorAuthor Though the writer does not identify himself, Though the writer does not identify himself,

both church tradition and early manuscripts both church tradition and early manuscripts ascribe this gospel to the Apostle Matthew.ascribe this gospel to the Apostle Matthew.

Matthew (aka Levi) a former tax collector for Matthew (aka Levi) a former tax collector for the Roman government, called as an Apostle of the Roman government, called as an Apostle of Jesus Christ (Matt. 9:9).Jesus Christ (Matt. 9:9).

DateDate: Written before 70 AD. Scholars : Written before 70 AD. Scholars differ on how early, with a range from 40 differ on how early, with a range from 40 to 60 AD.to 60 AD.

AudienceAudience: Jews, as is clear from Matthew’s : Jews, as is clear from Matthew’s purpose in writing and frequent appeals to purpose in writing and frequent appeals to the OT.the OT.

Major Themes in MatthewMajor Themes in Matthew

God – this term appears some 48 God – this term appears some 48 times; all 3 members of the trinity are times; all 3 members of the trinity are referred to.referred to.

Kingdom of Heaven/Kingdom of Kingdom of Heaven/Kingdom of God/KingGod/King

““Fulfillment” of the OTFulfillment” of the OT The Teaching (including parables) and The Teaching (including parables) and

Miracles of JesusMiracles of Jesus

Purpose Statement for Purpose Statement for MatthewMatthew

Matthew writes to demonstrate to his Matthew writes to demonstrate to his fellow Jews that Jesus of Nazareth is fellow Jews that Jesus of Nazareth is the promised Messiah of the Old the promised Messiah of the Old Testament, and that He will return to Testament, and that He will return to rule in power and glory despite rule in power and glory despite Israel’s rejection of Him.Israel’s rejection of Him.

Structure of MatthewStructure of Matthew Six Major DiscoursesSix Major Discourses

Sermon on the Mount (5:1 – 7:29)Sermon on the Mount (5:1 – 7:29) – Jesus – Jesus contrasts the teaching of the scribes and contrasts the teaching of the scribes and Pharisees with His own, revealing the true Pharisees with His own, revealing the true intent of the Law.intent of the Law.

Sending out the Twelve (10:1 – 11:1)Sending out the Twelve (10:1 – 11:1) – Jesus – Jesus sent His disciples to proclaim the same sent His disciples to proclaim the same message He had, gave them power to perform message He had, gave them power to perform the same authenticating works, and warned the same authenticating works, and warned them of the opposition they would face.them of the opposition they would face.

Mysteries of the Kingdom (13:1-53)Mysteries of the Kingdom (13:1-53) – Jesus – Jesus turns to a parabolic ministry in light of His turns to a parabolic ministry in light of His rejection by Israel’s leaders. These parables rejection by Israel’s leaders. These parables provide new revelation about the nature of the provide new revelation about the nature of the kingdom until His kingdom until His secondsecond coming. coming.

Structure of MatthewStructure of Matthew Six Major DiscoursesSix Major Discourses

Character of Kingdom Citizens (18:1 – 19:1)Character of Kingdom Citizens (18:1 – 19:1) – – Jesus makes clear that those who wish to be great Jesus makes clear that those who wish to be great in His kingdom must become like children. They in His kingdom must become like children. They must also be willing to humbly confront others and must also be willing to humbly confront others and to forgive others.to forgive others.

Rebuke of Israel’s Leaders (23:1-39)Rebuke of Israel’s Leaders (23:1-39) – Jesus – Jesus soundly rebukes the hypocrisy of the scribes and soundly rebukes the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees, and predicts the desolation of Pharisees, and predicts the desolation of Jerusalem (23:37-39).Jerusalem (23:37-39).

Olivet Discourse (24:1 – 26:1)Olivet Discourse (24:1 – 26:1) – Jesus teaches His – Jesus teaches His disciples about events of Daniel’s 70disciples about events of Daniel’s 70thth week, week, culminating in His return to the earth and the culminating in His return to the earth and the establishment of His kingdom. This discourse also establishment of His kingdom. This discourse also includes parables on faithfulness in the present includes parables on faithfulness in the present age.age.

Three Major Movements in Three Major Movements in MatthewMatthew

Matthew 1 – 10Matthew 1 – 10 The presentation of Jesus of Nazareth as the indisputable The presentation of Jesus of Nazareth as the indisputable

King of the Jews, including His Davidic lineage, prophesied King of the Jews, including His Davidic lineage, prophesied birth and forerunner, fitness to rule, and authoritative birth and forerunner, fitness to rule, and authoritative teaching and works.teaching and works.

Matthew 11 – 12Matthew 11 – 12 In these two chapters Matthew shows how most of those In these two chapters Matthew shows how most of those

to whom Christ ministered rejected Him. While opposition to whom Christ ministered rejected Him. While opposition to Christ had begun as early as Herod’s attempt to have to Christ had begun as early as Herod’s attempt to have Him killed as an infant, and continued throughout Jesus’ Him killed as an infant, and continued throughout Jesus’ public ministry, it is here that it reaches critical mass.public ministry, it is here that it reaches critical mass.

Matthew 13 – 28Matthew 13 – 28 Chapter 13 begins the final section of Matthew’s gospel, Chapter 13 begins the final section of Matthew’s gospel,

in which he describes the remainder of Jesus’ ministry in in which he describes the remainder of Jesus’ ministry in light of His rejection by the nation’s leaders. Jesus light of His rejection by the nation’s leaders. Jesus provides new instruction about the kingdom to His provides new instruction about the kingdom to His disciples in light of this rejection, much of it in parables.disciples in light of this rejection, much of it in parables.

Outline of MatthewOutline of Matthew Matthew 1 – 10Matthew 1 – 10 Presentation of the King (1 – 4)Presentation of the King (1 – 4)

Documents Jesus’ davidic lineage, birth, forerunner, fitness to rule Documents Jesus’ davidic lineage, birth, forerunner, fitness to rule (temptation), and opening public ministry.(temptation), and opening public ministry.

Proclamation of the King (5 – 7)Proclamation of the King (5 – 7) Theme passage of this sermon is 5:17-20. Christ is contrasting the Theme passage of this sermon is 5:17-20. Christ is contrasting the

teaching of the Scribes and Pharisees with His own authoritative teaching teaching of the Scribes and Pharisees with His own authoritative teaching and clarifying the true intent of the Law.and clarifying the true intent of the Law.

Power of the King (8 – 10)Power of the King (8 – 10) Miraculous works performed by Christ as a messianic ID card. Power given Miraculous works performed by Christ as a messianic ID card. Power given

to the apostles as well.to the apostles as well. Matthew 11 - 12Matthew 11 - 12 Progressive Rejection of the King (11 – 12)Progressive Rejection of the King (11 – 12)

Transitional chapters that show that most of those to whom Christ Transitional chapters that show that most of those to whom Christ ministered, especially the religious leaders, did not believe (see 11:20-24 ministered, especially the religious leaders, did not believe (see 11:20-24 and 12:22-24). Prompts Christ’s turn to a parabolic ministry.and 12:22-24). Prompts Christ’s turn to a parabolic ministry.

Matthew 13 – 28Matthew 13 – 28 Preparation of the King’s Disciples (13 – 20)Preparation of the King’s Disciples (13 – 20)

Jesus begins to spend more time with His disciples and less with the Jesus begins to spend more time with His disciples and less with the multitudes. After leading the disciples to Peter’s great confession (16:16), multitudes. After leading the disciples to Peter’s great confession (16:16), Christ begins to speak explicitly about His impending death and Christ begins to speak explicitly about His impending death and resurrection (16:21).resurrection (16:21).

Presentation and Rejection of the King (21 – 27)Presentation and Rejection of the King (21 – 27) The final week of Christ’s life, including the triumphal entry, teaching in the The final week of Christ’s life, including the triumphal entry, teaching in the

Temple and on the Mount of Olives, last supper, betrayal, arrest and trial, Temple and on the Mount of Olives, last supper, betrayal, arrest and trial, crucifixion and burial.crucifixion and burial.

Proof of the King (28)Proof of the King (28) He is risen! Christ’s commission to the disciples.He is risen! Christ’s commission to the disciples.

United King.

Northern Kingdom

Southern Kingdom

722 BC

586 BC

1000 years

New heavens & earth

The Mediatorial Kingdom of God through History

7

“Mysteries of the Kingdom” (Matt 13)

Descent ofthe Spirit Rapture Return of

Christ

Matthew’s Use of the Old Matthew’s Use of the Old TestamentTestament

The formula: “that what was spoken The formula: “that what was spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled” or through the prophet might be fulfilled” or something similar.something similar.

Not always a simple prediction and Not always a simple prediction and fulfillment (see “Biblical Meaning of fulfillment (see “Biblical Meaning of ‘Fulfillment’” by Charles H. Dyer). ‘Fulfillment’” by Charles H. Dyer). Matthew’s meaning must be determined by Matthew’s meaning must be determined by context both in the OT and the NT.context both in the OT and the NT.

Examples:Examples: ““Out of Egypt did I call my Son” (Hos 11:1-2 in Out of Egypt did I call my Son” (Hos 11:1-2 in

Matt 2:15).Matt 2:15). ““Rachel weeping for her children” (Jer 31:15 in Rachel weeping for her children” (Jer 31:15 in

Matt 2:17-18).Matt 2:17-18). Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Zech 9:9 Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Zech 9:9

in Matt 21:4-5).in Matt 21:4-5).

Next Week: Gospel of MarkNext Week: Gospel of Mark