Topic 5 Matthew: Jesus as Authoritative Teacher of God

1
Topic 5 Matthew Jesus as Authoritative
Teacher of Gods Will

• Circumstances of origin
• Authorship
• Anonymous (all the gospels are).
• Tradition Matthew
• One of the 12 disciples tax collector.
• Papias Matthew compiled the logia (sayings) in
  Aramaic... (Harris, p. 158).
• Place best guess is Antioch
• Jewish Christian church in Greek-speaking area.
• Earliest quotes from Ignatius of Antioch.
• Date 75-90 AD
• Purpose Manual of instruction for Jewish
  Christian church defining itself over against the
  synagogue.

2

• Key themes in Matthew
• The Jewish Gospel.
• Relates Christian faith to its Jewish heritage.
• Jesus and Church are fulfillment of Israel.
• Fulfillment of prophecy.
• Formula quotations (Harris, p. 156-57).
• These things happened in order to fulfill what
  was spoken by the prophet
• Mt. 122-23, quoting Isa. 714.
• Matthews portrayal of Jesus.
• Messiah more frequent than Mk.
• Son of God by virtue of virgin birth (122-23)
  Emmanuel God (is) with us.
• Descent from Abraham (genealogy in 11-17).
• Descent through David
• Parallels with Moses
• Messianic teacher

3

• Key themes in Matthew
• The Jewish Law
• Jesus did not cancel Torah but fulfilled it
  (517).
• The Greater Righteousness (520) go beyond
  letter of law
• The Great Commandment (2234-40) fulfills
  whole law
• Love God with all your heart.
• Love your neighbor as yourself.
• The Church
• Most church-oriented gospel only gospel to
  speak of church.
• Saying about founding of church inserted into
  story of Peters Confession (1618).
• Instructions on church discipline (1815-17).
• Church is New Israel.
• Task to live by Jesus teaching and to
  evangelize the world.
• Eschatology
• Extended time before Parousia.
• Time for churchs mission.
• Parousia will bring final judgment.

4

• Outline of Matthew
• Five divisions - alternating Narrative (from
  Mk.) with Discourse (from Q, M).
• ch. 1-2 Introduction Birth narrative
• Genealogy Abraham David Jesus the Messiah
• Role of Joseph
• Birth in Bethlehem Davids hometown
• Visit of magi (wise men)
• Conflict with Herod
• Parallels with Moses Herods slaughter flight
  to Egypt
• Move to Nazareth insignificant Galilean village

Structured by five discourses of Jesus (1) Sermon on the Mount (ch. 5-7)
(2) Mission Discourse (ch. 10)
(3) Parables of the Kingdom (ch. 13)
(4) Discourse on Church Discipline (ch. 18)
(5) Eschatological Discourse (ch. 24-25)
5

• Division I (ch. 3-7)
• Narrative (ch. 3-4)
• Discourse 1 Sermon on the Mount (ch. 5-7)
• Theme Demands of discipleship
• 53-12 Beatitudes (blessings) emphasize grace
• Confer Gods favor on the needy who utterly
  depend on God.
• Blessed happy, fortunate.
• Paradoxical turn ordinary expectations upside
  down happiness is not apparent.
• Poor in spirit humble aware of unworthiness.
• Mourners meek inherit earth hunger for
  Gods justice.
• Merciful pure in heart peacemakers
  persecuted.
• Eschatological those who have/expect nothing in
  this world are promised salvation in Gods coming
  kingdom.
• Comparison with Beatitudes in Luke 620-23
• Luke Blessed are you who are poor...you who are
  hungry addresses literal poverty/hunger, which
  will be reversed.
• Matt. ...the poor in spirit...those who
  hunger/thirst after righteousness spiritual
  qualities to be rewarded.
• Beatitudes emphasize the grace of Gods kingdom
  rest of Sermon emphasizes demand for radical
  obedience.

6

• Discourse 1 Sermon on the Mount (ch. 5-7)
  cont.
• 513-16 Salt of the earth and light of the world
• 517-20 The Greater Righteousness
• Go beyond letter of the law.
• 521-48 The Antitheses
• You have heard it saidbut I say to you.
• Contrast Torah with Jesus demand.
• Radicalize, intensify, internalize the
  commandments.
• 61-18 Against hypocrisy alms, prayer, fasting
• Practice piety in secret to ensure pure
  motivation.
• Lords Prayer (69-13) prays for coming of
  Gods kingdom.
• 619-24 True treasure
• 625-34 Against anxiety
• 71-5 Against judging others
• 77-11 Encouragement to prayer
• 712 Golden Rule (cf. Hillel)
• 713-14 The narrow way
• 715-23 Warning against false prophets

7

• Division II (ch. 8-10)
• Narrative (ch. 8-9)
• Discourse 2 Mission Discourse (ch. 10)
• Theme Warning of persecution and
  assurance of Gods care
• Mission of the Twelve expands instructions in
  Mk. 6.
• Uses material from Mk. 13 (eschatological
  discourse).
• Persecution is not sign of the end part of
  churchs continuing mission promises Gods
  presence in midst of it.
• Division III (ch. 11-13)
• Narrative (ch. 11-12)
• Discourse 3 Parables of the Kingdom (ch. 13)
• Theme Demand for genuine commitment
• Final judgment will reveal authenticity of
  commitment.
• Parable of Weeds and Wheat
• Church is mixed body.
• Not our place to sort out.
• Gods judgment will decide.
• Parable of the Treasure
• Plowman finds buried treasure sells all to buy
  field.
• Kingdom is worth giving up everything.

8

• Division IV (ch. 14-18)
• Narrative (ch. 14-17)
• Discourse 4 Discourse on Church Discipline (ch.
  18)
• Theme Humility, forgiveness, care for the
  weak
• Warning against power struggles in church.
• Care for the little ones.
• Parable of Lost Sheep (Mt.) Gods care for weak
  members.
• Dealing with disputes among church members.
• Necessity of unlimited forgiveness.
• Division V (ch. 19-25)
• Narrative (ch. 19-23)
• Discourse 5 Eschatological Discourse (ch. 24-25)
• Theme Diligence needed because of
  delayed Parousia
• Modifies Mk. 13 to emphasize extended time before
  Parousia.
• Need for diligence warning against complacency.
• Parable of Ten Maidens need for diligence while
  bridegroom delays.
• Parable of Sheep and Goats final judgment is
  based on ministering to the needy without thought
  of reward.

9

• ch. 26-28 Conclusion Passion and Resurrection
• Adds resurrection appearance in Galilee.
• Great Commission (2816-20)
• Evangelize among all nations (baptize converts).
• Instruct them in obedience to Jesus teaching.