The Gospel of Matthew provides important insights into the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Here are some key questions that are addressed in Matthew’s account:
1. What was Matthew’s background before becoming a disciple of Jesus?
Matthew, also known as Levi, was a tax collector before becoming one of Jesus’ twelve disciples (Matthew 9:9). As a tax collector he would have been despised by many Jews since he worked for the Roman government collecting taxes. His profession shows that Jesus reached out to sinners and those rejected by society.
2. Why did Jesus come into the world?
Matthew highlights that Jesus came to fulfill Old Testament prophecies about the coming Messiah who would save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21-23). Jesus is the fulfillment of Israel’s hopes for a Savior.
3. What was unique about Jesus’ teaching style?
Jesus taught with great authority, unlike the teachers of the law (Matthew 7:28-29). His teaching went beyond external rule keeping to issues of the heart. He emphasized loving God and loving one’s neighbor as central to God’s requirements (Matthew 22:37-39).
4. What miracles did Jesus perform in Matthew?
Matthew records many of Jesus’ miracles including healing the sick (Matthew 8:1-4), casting out demons (Matthew 8:28-34), calming a storm (Matthew 8:23-27), raising the dead (Matthew 9:18-26), feeding the five thousand (Matthew 14:13-21), and walking on water (Matthew 14:22-33). These miracles demonstrated Jesus’ divine authority.
5. Why did Jesus face opposition from the religious leaders?
The Pharisees opposed Jesus because he claimed authority to forgive sins (Matthew 9:1-8) and frequently challenged their strict traditions and hypocrisy (Matthew 15:1-9). Jesus’ claims to be the Messiah angered them since they rejected him.
6. What new perspective did Jesus give on the Old Testament Law?
In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), Jesus fulfills the Old Testament law by emphasizing its true intent rather than just external obedience. He shows that God cares as much about our heart motivations as our actions.
7. What kind of disciples did Jesus call?
Jesus called ordinary working class fishermen and tax collectors to follow him rather than the religious elite (Matthew 4:18-22). He was more concerned with a willing heart than social status or religious achievement. They learned obedience and sacrifice through following him.
8. Why did Jesus speak in parables?
Jesus used parables, which are short stories illustrating spiritual truths, in order to reveal insights to some while concealing truth from those too stubborn to receive it (Matthew 13:10-17). The parables required listeners to think and have open hearts to receive the lessons.
9. What was the core of Jesus’ ethical teaching?
Matthew’s account highlights Jesus’ teaching to love others unselfishly (Matthew 22:39), forgive others generously as God forgives us (Matthew 18:21-35), and to deny ourselves to humbly serve God and others (Matthew 16:24). Kingdom ethics are marked by sacrificial love.
10. Why did Jesus come to “give his life as a ransom”?
A key theme in Matthew is Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross to atone for sins (Matthew 20:28). His death was necessary as payment for sins, setting people free from slavery to sin when they put faith in Christ (Matthew 26:28).
11. What evidence does Matthew give for Jesus’ resurrection?
Matthew includes eyewitness accounts of Jesus’ empty tomb (Matthew 28:1-10), his post-resurrection appearances to his followers (Matthew 28:16-20), and the inability of the priests to disprove his resurrection despite their efforts (Matthew 28:11-15). The resurrection confirms Christ’s power over death.
12. What are Jesus’ final words and instructions in Matthew?
Jesus’ final words, known as the Great Commission, command his followers to make disciples from all nations based on the authority given to him (Matthew 28:18-20). The book ends with the theme of Jesus’ sovereignty over all.
13. How does Matthew portray Peter?
Matthew shows Peter’s strengths and weaknesses. Peter makes the great confession that Jesus is the Messiah (Matthew 16:16) but also receives a stern rebuke from Jesus for trying to prevent his suffering (Matthew 16:21-23). Peter then denies Jesus three times at his trial (Matthew 26:69-75).
14. What are the major discourse sections in Matthew?
Matthew contains five major teaching sections: The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), the Missionary Discourse (Matthew 10), the Parables Discourse (Matthew 13), the Community Discourse (Matthew 18), and the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24-25). Each teaches on kingdom life and discipleship.
15. How does Matthew portray Jesus’ second coming?
Jesus’ Olivet Discourse warns of false Christs, tribulations, and the importance of being prepared since no one knows the day and hour of his return (Matthew 24:3-51). There will be judgment of all nations when the Son of Man comes in glory (Matthew 25:31-46).
16. What Messianic prophecies does Matthew highlight?
Matthew points to several prophecies fulfilled in Jesus: born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:18-25), born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2, Matthew 2:1-12), called out of Egypt (Hosea 11:1, Matthew 2:13-15), ministry of healing (Isaiah 53:4, Matthew 8:16-17), triumphal entry (Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 21:1-11), betrayal for 30 pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12-13, Matthew 26:14-16), and silent before accusers (Isaiah 53:7, Matthew 27:12-14).
17. How does Jesus portray himself in Matthew?
Jesus identifies himself as the promised Messiah who has authority to forgive sins (Matthew 9:6), is greater than the temple (Matthew 12:6), is the Son of God (Matthew 14:33), instituted a new covenant in his blood (Matthew 26:28), and has received all authority in heaven and earth from God (Matthew 28:18). He claims divine identity and prerogatives.
18. What does Matthew teach about worry?
Jesus teaches his followers not to worry about material needs but to seek God’s kingdom, living one day at a time relying on God (Matthew 6:25-34). Worry shows lack of faith in God’s loving provision and care for our needs.
19. What does Matthew teach about wealth and generosity?
Jesus teaches that we cannot serve both God and money (Matthew 6:24). Material wealth can prevent people from depending on God. We are to use resources generously for the kingdom rather than hoarding possessions (Matthew 6:2-4, 19-21). True riches are found in following Christ.
20. What role does the law of Moses play in Matthew?
Matthew shows Jesus as the new lawgiver whose teachings in the Sermon on the Mount fulfill the Old Testament law’s purpose and reveal its intended meaning. Keeping the moral commands was always central rather than meticulous rule-keeping (Matthew 5:17-48).
21. What does Matthew teach about prayer?
Jesus provides a model prayer for disciples in the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) emphasizing praise, dependence, requests for forgiveness and spiritual needs over material ones. Prayer requires humility, persistence (Matthew 7:7-11), and confidence in God’s willingness to answer.
22. What is Matthew’s portrait of Jesus’ birth?
Matthew begins by tracing Jesus’ genealogy, showing he is descended from Abraham and David (Matthew 1:1-17). Matthew records the angelic announcements of Jesus’ miraculous virgin birth (Matthew 1:18-25) and the visit of the Magi who recognize Jesus as the prophesied King of the Jews (Matthew 2:1-12).
23. How does Matthew set up the need for Jesus’ coming?
Matthew 3 describes the ministry of John the Baptist who prepares the way for Jesus by preaching repentance and baptizing people, indicating their need for spiritual cleansing. But the corrupt religious leaders oppose John, foreshadowing their later rejection of Christ (Matthew 3:1-12).
24. What opposition does Jesus face in Matthew?
Throughout Matthew the religious leaders challenge and question Jesus’ authority. Jesus repeatedly exposes their hypocrisy and pride (Matthew 23). Their anger ultimately leads them to plot Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion, partnering with the Romans who execute him.
25. How does Jesus relate to Old Testament figures in Matthew?
Matthew highlights parallels between Jesus and figures like Moses, David, and Solomon to show Jesus as the fulfillment of Israel’s prophetic hopes. Like Moses Jesus provides divine teaching (Matthew 5-7). As David’s descendant he is the Messiah who will reign forever (Matthew 1:1). His wisdom surpasses Solomon (Matthew 12:42).
Matthew’s Gospel provides insightful and thorough answers to many key questions we may have about the life and identity of Jesus Christ. Studying this Gospel account leads to a deeper understanding of who Jesus is and what his life and teachings mean for us today.
