Matthew Comments

Matthew 1: 5 Initial Questions

1) Why does Matthew start off with a mention of Jesus as son of David and Abraham? 1:1

2) Why does Matthew begin with a genealogy of Joseph?

3) Why the 4 women in the genealogy

4) Missing names in Genealogy– Why? 14 [gematria]

Matthew 1: 5 Initial Questions

5) What is the role of the exile in the geneaology?

Matthew 1: Birth narrative

Mary faithfulness questioned:

God’s Faithfulness:

Mary with Child Joseph considers separation

Angel regarding Mary: 1) Do not fear2) Born of H.S.3) Bear a son4) Call his name5) He shall save

Scripture Joseph Obeys 1) Takes her 2) Did not know her 3) Bears a son 4) Names “Jesus”Irony: savior from sin

unfaithfulness?Sin suspected

2) Virgin with child3) Bear a son4) Shall be named5) God with us

Mary’s virginity perpetual?

Why is the virgin birth of Christ attacked? Worldview: no miraclesClarity: almah parthenos; 1:18; 25; Lk

1:34f

Mary’s perpetual virginity?Gen. 1:28; 1 Cor 7:5f intercourse in

marriage approved/integral partChrist’s brothers and sisters Mat. 12:46f;

Mk. 3:31

Matthew 2: Wisemen,...

Before the magi: Shepherds, circumcision, temple presentation, Anna, Simeon (Lk. 2)—inn?

The Star –Num. 24:17?

Pattern: role of Gentiles—Abraham Cov.Wisemen worship – star: Gen Rev

Herod’s reaction – disturbed, where? Answer – Special Rev: Mic. 5:2 Bethlehem

Herod’s reaction – what time? Bring wordWisemen worship – Gen Rev

Matthew 2: WisemenIrony: Jews don’t seek Jesus, Gentiles do

Fleeing as a solution? Why Egypt?

Hos 11:1? --Jesus as new Israel

Death of Infants—Moses; Jer. 31:15; Rachel weeping, exile new covenant Jer. 31:31-34 –great hope

Wisemen: note role of Gentiles again

Matthew 2: wisemen

Herod’s death (April 4 BC) lunar eclipse

Inch by inch obedience

Nazarene: Branch: Isa. 11:1 (Jerome)John 1:46 despised Isa. 53:2,3

Jesus from 1-30? Nature of history writing, not exhaustive detail but shaped for a purpose

Types of OT Fulfillment:

This = that (Mic 5:2 Messiah = Bethlehem)

This is a type/symbol of that: Out of Egypt I called my son (Hos 11:1) Jesus

new Israel nation

This particular fulfills OT broad idea: Nazarene--despised

This parallel to that: (this reminds me of that) Jonah 3 days Mat. 12:40

Matthew 3: John Bapt.

Why John in wilderness?Fulfill Scripture: Isa. 40:3—

environment=message

Kingdom at hand – how so?

Matthew 3

On “all” always meaning “all” 3:5fHyperbole—literal versus figurative

John and the Pharisees: 3:9f—Abraham?Why was Christ baptized for repentance?John passing prophetic baton on to JesusVoice from heaven

Matthew 4: temptation

What did it mean for Christ to be tempted?

Why is Jesus tempted in wilderness—New Israel—get it right this time

What’s wrong with making stones into bread?

What’s wrong with trusting God? If Satan quotes Scripture is it true? On evil

Why is the 3rd temptation so powerful?

What is common in Christ’s responses?

Matthew 1-4 Structure

Ch. Protagonist Antagonist OT

1 Mary Joseph David’s son

2 Magi Herod Abraham C

3 John Bapt. Pharisees Messenger

4 Spirit Satan New Israel

Matthew 5: Sermon on the Mount

PurposeIs the Sermon on the mount for today?Why is it opposed today? Beatitudes - FormsPoor in spiritThose that mournMeekHunger and thirsts

Matthew 5: Sermon on Mount

BeatitudesMercifulPure in heart

Matthew Questions - Anger

Have you ever murdered?

Is all anger sinful?

What is the source of anger?

How do you separate good/bad anger?

What ways do people handle anger?

Matthew Questions – Lust

Lust = adultery

Attraction not = lust

Intent

Cultural setting

Guarding one’s heart

Matthew Questions – Divorce

Matt 5:32 exception and Mk 10:11

Biblical Context

Other exceptions

Situations

Unforgivable sin in Church

Is marriage just about the partners?

Matthew Questions

Should we not resist evil? Is forgiveness conditional? What is the unforgivable sin? Are there degrees of punishment? Should people be kicked out of the church? How do you enter the kingdom by works?