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New Testament Survey
Lesson Two

Let's look at Matthew. Compare what you discovered about the theme and key verse/words with the information below. Were you close? If not, don't worry. Look closely at what is presented below and judge for yourself which best reflects Matthew's overall thoughts.

Matthew

1. Matthew contains 28 chapters

2. It was written by Matthew, one of the disciples of Jesus. He had been a tax collector when Jesus called him to follow Him. He was a publican, which was a deeply dishonourable profession among the Jews because he worked with the Romans to take money from his own people. They would have looked on him as a despised enemy collaborator.

3. The time of writing is uncertain. It could have been written as early as A.D. 37, but the date is probably closer to A.D.58.

4. There are indications that the book was written in Antioch in Syria. The proof is not conclusive, but it would have been a suitable place to write it.

5. It was a book written for the Jew, so the healing of the leper is the first recorded miracle. Leprosy was a dreaded disease that no Jew would have gone near. Matthew records that Jesus put forth His hand to touch the leper. Such an act would have arrested the attention of the Jew.

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Theme

The Messiah, though rejected, establishes His kingdom and judges the rejectors of that kingdom.

Christ

Jesus is seen as the Son of David, fulfilling the Old Covenant promises. He is also seen as the One judging those who refuse to submit to Him. He is the great Head of the church, commissioning it to fill the earth with His truth.

Christ is also seen as the Saviour of the World.

Key Words

The key words are 'kingdom' [50] and 'fulfilled'.

The key phrases are 'kingdom of heaven' [33], 'kingdom of God' [5].

Key Verse

Mt.16:18,19 And I say unto thee, that upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (19) And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Mt.1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins.

Mt.2:2 Saying, Where is He that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him.

Purpose

1. The primary purpose of the book is to show that Jesus was the promised Messiah, the King of Israel.

2. It was also to show how and why Jesus was rejected and to show the consequences of that rejection.

3. It was written to give the connection between the law and the gospel.

4. It also shows the relationship between the Old and New Covenants.

5. In giving the genealogy, it shows that Jesus is the true Son of David - proving that He is the rightful King.

Events And Characters

Matthew can be divided into two sections.

The first is biographical and gives the same general biography as does Mark and Luke. The first is identified by the words of Mt. 4:17, "From that time began Jesus to preach and say, repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,".

The preaching career of Jesus began at this point. He comes into public prominence. In this section, we see the background of the Messiah, His genealogy, making Him the Inheritor of the promises to Abraham and David. He is from the royal household. The story of the advent of Christ shows the fulfilment of the Old Covenant and the completion of the Divine purposes.

The second section begins in Mt.16:21: "From that time began Jesus to show unto His disciples, that He must go unto Jerusalem and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests, and scribes and be killed and the third day be raised up."

This section now points to the culmination of His life at the cross. There is the beginning of the decline in His popularity as they realized He was not bringing the carnal kingdom for which they had hoped. Jesus appears in Galilee after the imprisonment of John the Baptist. He now declares the spiritual and ethical principles of the Messianic Kingdom. He calls the people to repentance and to receive Him by faith. He is Lord. He shows the nature of His Lordship and how one could enter into the realm of His kingdom.

1. The book begins with the genealogy and record of the birth of Jesus. He records the coming of the wise men and Herod's massacre of the Bethlehem children.

2. John the Baptist comes preaching repentance. Jesus comes to him and is baptized. He is driven by the Spirit into the wilderness, where the Devil tempts him for 40 days. He comes from there and begins teaching and preaching. He chooses His disciples.

3. He declares the essence of the Kingdom and the rules regarding it. He clarifies His relationship to the Law and calls His followers to a standard of living which is, in the natural, impossible.

4. He performs many miracles and establishes His authority and messiahship. He sends out His disciples and empowers them to work miracles on His behalf.

5. John the Baptist sends inquiries concerning Him. He answers, speaking of God's power in miracles. He challenges the pride and impenitence of various places and uplifts humility. He reproves the Pharisees and the unfaithful.

6. He gives several parables which the religious leaders could not understand, but explains them to His disciples. They were to know the mysteries of the Kingdom.

7. There are various other miracles and clashes with the religious leaders of the day.

8. Jesus speaks of establishing the church on Himself. He now concentrates on teaching His disciples on humility, offences, dealing with brethren, and forgiveness. He begins to share with His disciples about the time ahead when He will be crucified.

9. He rides into Jerusalem and gives the parable of warning to those who reject Him. He again attacks the Pharisees and weeps over the destruction of Jerusalem, which He foretells. He gives parables concerning the coming judgment.

10. He has the passover with His disciples and institutes the Lord's Supper. He is led from Gethsemane to various trials and finally condemned to death, even though innocent of all charges against Him. He rises from the dead and proves His resurrection, and just before the ascension, commands His disciples to make disciples of all nations and to teach them His words.

Lessons To Remember

1. Christ is the fulfilment of the Old Testament, the One who, as promised, would come; therefore, the only way to God is by Him.

2. The Kingdom lifestyle is contrary to the lifestyle of the world around us.

3. Judgment comes upon those who refuse and reject Him.

4. Being chosen of God does not mean an automatic entrance into the purposes of God. Faith and obedience are vital keys.

5. God desires abundance and that His house be full.

6. The Kingdom is eternal and universal - growing into all the earth.

7. He builds the church, and we are but labourers with Him.

8. Good intentions are not enough; without the Holy Spirit, we still deny Him.

9. Despite our unbelief, the purposes of God are accomplished.

10. We have a responsibility to declare the gospel to the whole world.

Outline

I. Preparation of the King   1 - 4

   A. Genealogy   1:1 - 17
   B. Birth   1:18 - 25
   C. Wise Men   2:1 - 12
   D. Escape to Egypt   2:13 - 23
   E. The Forerunner   3:1 - 12
   F. Baptism   3:13 - 17
   G. The Temptation   4:1 - 11
   H. Ministry and Calling of the Apostles     4:12 - 25

II. Presentation of the King      5 - 10

   A. Proclamation      5 - 7
   B. Credentials      8 - 9
   C. Heralds   10

III. Rejection of the King   11 - 23

   A. Opposition   11 - 12
   B. Parables   13
   C. Rejection   14 - 16:12
   D. Instructions   16:13 - 20:34
   E. Total Rejection   21 - 23

IV. Prophecies of the King    24 - 25

V. Death and Resurrection of the King   26 - 28

Outline (Alternative)

I. Prophecies of the Messiah Realized      1:1 - 4:11
   The Advent

II. The Principles of the Messiah Announced       4:12 - 7:29

   A. The Inaugural Address      4:12 - 7:29
   B. Challenge to Enter      7:13 - 14

III. The Power of the Messiah Revealed      8:1 - 11:1

   A. The Miracles      8:1 - 11:1
   B. Challenge to Follow   10:34 - 39

IV. The Program of Messiah Explained   11:2 - 13:53

   A. The Parables   11:2 - 13:53
   B. Challenge to Acceptance   11:28
   C. Challenge to Understanding   13:51

V. The Purpose of the Messiah Declared   13:54 - 19:2

   A. The Crisis of the Cross     13:54 - 19:2
   B. Challenge to Testify   16:13 - 15

VI. The Problems of the Messiah Presented   19:3 - 26:2

   A. The Conflicts of the Opponents   19:3 - 26:2
   B. Challenge to Repentance   23:37 - 39

VII. The Passion of the Messiah Accomplished
    26:3 - 28:10

VIII. Epilogue   28:11 - 20

   A. Rumour and Reality   28:11 - 20
   B. Challenge to Action   28:16 - 20

*****
Feed Yourself Students:

Before doing the next lesson, make your own book survey of Mark.

Assignment

Before doing the next lesson, make your own book survey of Mark.

Return to Lessons.

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New Testament SurveyLesson Two