Introduction to Matthew

Why Matthew?

For some time I wanted to work through a book of the Bible slowly, without a reading plan or deadline. Rather than trying to cover large portions of Scripture quickly, I wanted to spend time understanding each chapter through its historical context, the Old Testament, and the witness of the early Church. Since I had already begun reading the Catena Aurea alongside the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, the Gospel of Matthew felt like a natural place to begin.

About This Study

• Read Scripture first.
• Use historical context to understand the text.
• Read the Church Fathers alongside the passage.
• Compare Scripture with Scripture.
• Ask questions rather than rushing to conclusions.
• Focus on transformation as well as understanding.

What this Study is Not

This is not an attempt to produce the final word on Matthew. It is a record of my own study through Scripture, historical context, the Church Fathers, and the Christian tradition. Where the Church speaks clearly, I want to follow her teaching. Where questions remain, I want to study patiently, hold conclusions with humility, and continue learning.

How Each Chapter Will Be Studied

1. Read the chapter in full
2. Read it again slowly
3. Study the historical and Jewish background
4. Follow Old Testament references
5. Read the Ignatius Study Bible notes
6. Read the Catena Aurea
7. Compare with other Fathers where helpful
8. Record observations, questions, and cross-references

About the Gospel of Matthew

Authorship

Christian tradition has consistently identified the Apostle Matthew as the author of the first Gospel. Modern scholarship, however, has proposed several alternative theories concerning its composition. While many scholars question direct Matthean authorship, others continue to defend the traditional attribution or suggest that the Gospel preserves Matthew’s testimony through later composition.

One reason for this change in perspective is the widespread view that the writer of Matthew relied upon the Gospel of Mark as one of his primary sources of information about Jesus. — Ignatius Catholic Study Bible

One of the principal arguments against Matthew authorship is the widespread view that the evangelist relied upon Mark’s Gospel. Some scholars, however, argue that dependence on another source would not necessarily exclude apostolic authorship, especially if the Gospel of Mark itself preserves the preaching of Peter. Others have proposed different relationships between Matthew and Mark altogether.

There are also some claims that the Gospel of Mark was actually written after the Gospel of Matthew and that Mark used Matthew as inspiration. Several features of the Gospel are also consistent with the traditional attribution. For example, the biblical and religious traditions of Israel present in the Gospel are enough evidence that the author was at least a Jewish believer in Jesus. The Gospel also features various references that point to a tax collection (debts, currency, business transactions, etc.).

[…] the Gospel suggest that the author was Jewish, that he knew Hebrew and Greek, that he was probably from Palestine, and that he had some interest in episodes and teachings of Jesus involving money. — Ignatius Catholic Study Bible

Date

There isn’t a consensus as to when the Gospel was written; many modern scholars seem to date it between 80-90 of the first century, while others prefer to date it in the 50-60s. According to the Ignatius Study Bible, the date is likely to be in the middle of the first century.

Audience and Purpose

Matthew appears to have written primarily for a Jewish Christian audience familiar with the Old Testament. Throughout the Gospel he frequently quotes Israel’s Scriptures, explains how they are fulfilled in Christ, and presents Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah.

Themes to Watch

• Fulfilment of the Scriptures
• Kingdom of Heaven
• Discipleship
• Righteousness
• Jesus as the New Moses
• The Church
• Faith and obedience
• Judgment and mercy

Structure of Matthew

Many scholars also observe that Matthew structures his Gospel around five major teaching discourses, perhaps intentionally echoing the five books of Moses.

1. Birth and infancy
2. Preparation for ministry
3. Ministry, miracles and commission of the twelve
4. Controversy and the New Kingdom
5. Instruction of Peter and the Twelve
6. Journey to Jerusalem
7. The Suffering and Resurrection of Jesus

Questions I’ll Keep Asking

• What does the text actually say?
• What did it mean to the original audience?
• Which Old Testament passages illuminate it?
• How did the early Church understand it?
• What does it reveal about Christ?
• How should it shape my life?

A Prayer Before Reading

Before each chapter I will begin with a short prayer asking God for wisdom, humility, understanding, and the grace not only to understand His Word but also to live it.

Expectations

I don’t know how long this study will take. Some chapters may be completed in a day, while others may take weeks as I follow references, read the Church Fathers, and revisit related passages. The goal is not to finish quickly, but to understand more faithfully.