GOSPEL OF MATTHEW (1)

By Conor Perry, Drew Sommerhof, Brady Harvey, Zach Nerenberg,

Rob Syzamnik, and Bernard Little

Introduction-Who is Matthew?-How is Matthew’s gospel similar to Luke’s and Mark’s Gospel?-Who was Matthew’s audience?-How does Matthew appeal to Jewish Christians?-What image of Jesus does Matthew Depict?-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBOZxUMVD3U&feature=related

Matthew: Biography? Birth Date: A Year after Jesus AD: 3-7? Profession? When became apostle? Death Matthew original profession was a tax collector. He encountered Jesus while sitting at a tax booth. He became an apostle and spreading Christianity. The fact that Jesus choose Matthew as a disciple is interesting in that tax-collectors where viewed as shameful because of their dishonesty and profession. Jesus emphasizes that he wants to connect with sinners and those in need because they are the ones who need help. An example of this is displayed in Matthew 9:11 The Pharisees see Jesus eating with tax collectors and sinners and ask why some one so righteous is associating with sinners. Jesus responds “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.” By this Jesus is saying he wants to help the needy; if one just ignores what causes people to sin more then the problem progresses but trying to help those who sin stops the cycle. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jq3dWjvxn7Q&feature=related

Matthew’s Gospel

Despite being called Matthew’s Gospel scholars don’t truly know who the exact author is as it was written anonymously. However its content of Jewish tradition and theology suggest that the author is Matthew or someone who knew him. Though the exact date it was written is unknown based on its content it is believed to have been written after the Gospel of Mark from around 80 A.D. to 85 A.D. This is ironic in that it us known as the first Gospel despite the evidence that opposes that title It was most likely written in Syria where Jewish-Christians resided.

Matthew’s AudienceIt is clear that Matthew’s audience was most likely Jews who where converting to Christians. The Gospel is written for someone who understands Jewish customs and language. Using terms such as Gehenna ( a Jewish term for devil). Matthew also compares Jesus to Moses perhaps trying to further entice Jews unsure about Christianity. Matthew continually makes references to the Old Testament to show connections between Jesus and Judaism. The content also shows the strained relationship between the Jews who where against Christianity and those against it. When it attacks the Pharisees continually calling them hypocrites for their attachment to material goods instead of being truly faithful. “If one swears by the altar, it means nothing but if one swears by the gift on the altar, then one is obligated.” “ If one swears in the temple, it means nothing but if one swears by the gold in the temple, then one is obligated.” Matthew 23. A Reason that Matthew might have choose to write his Gospel just to Jewish Christians was the abuse he faced as a tax – collector. Tax collectors where treated similarly to gentiles and Matthew probably empathized with the Anti-Semitism Jews where committing on other Jews which was displayed in prejudice by banning Jewish Christians and tax-collectors from temples or participating in sacrifice. Matthew disliked the scandal or the bad example religious leaders where displaying through this prejudice.The picture to the right is a depiction of “Sinners in the Hand of an Angry God” a sermon by an 18th century preacher Jonathan Edwards. Who presided during the First Great Awakening, he like the author of Matthew’s Gospel attempts to convince their respective audiences that their path is the right path and that Christianity is the most righteous way to love life.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgqTsjK4CiY&feature=related

Jesus in Matthew

Jesus depicts Matthew similarly as Moses as someone informing man of the law. Jesus is revered in the Gospel and referred to as the Son of David and Emmanuel meaning God is with us. The gospel promotes its audience to engage in discipleship of Jesus’ teaching, the Church, and true righteousness. Another theme that features prominently is Judgment, around the time the Gospels where being written many people including the apostles where being questioned in terms of faith as they realized the 2nd coming Jesus wasn’t occurring in their lifetime, the Gospel of Matthew emphasizes staying faithful as there will be a 2nd coming as he predicts in Matthew 24:29. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIVLLvCu5_U&feature=related

Matthew and MarkMatthew’s Gospel is largely extracted from Mark’s with subtle differences. About 80 % of Matthew’s Gospel is said to come from Mark. This includes Jesus’ ministry in Galilee, his journey to Jerusalem, his passion, death and resurrection as well. However Matthew’s gospel is more positive of the apostle and Jesus. While Mark gives a more ambiguous such as when Jesus reluctantly accepts Peter’s confession of him as Christ and the author of Mark criticizes the Apostles for their slowness do to hardened hearts (Mark 6:52). Mark depictions of the apostles as confused and conflicted is more realistic than Matthew’s depictions of the apostles as completely willing and clear minded individuals.

Conclusion

The overall contribution of Matthew’s Gospel is its challenging insight to denouncing the prejudice faced by Jewish Christians and depicting Jesus as the ultimate teacher through the beatitudes , use of parables and the emphasis on being faithful and being wary that despite Jesus’ absence he will return in a 2nd coming and Judgment will occur. Matthew’s Gospel is in part responsible for the large number of Jews who would convert to Christianity and revere Jesus as the “ New Moses” and founder of the Church.