1.1 b) Matthew’s proof texts

Question 1

Background of Matthew

Answer 1

Written in Syria by a Greek-speaking, Jewish Christian around 50 years after Jesus’ death.
Tensions at the time over Jesus being a heretic.
Used Markan material in his Gospel but beginning is really different.

Question 2

What are proof texts?

Answer 2

References to the Old Testament that sets out to prove Jesus as the Messiah.

Question 3

How does Isaiah 7:14 link to Jesus’ birth in Matthew 1:18-25 (Joseph’s first dream)?

Answer 3

A virgin will give birth to a son.
To be called immanuel, meaning ‘God is with us’

Question 4

How does Micah 5:2 link to Jesus’s birth in Matthew 2:1-12 (Herod, Magi, Bethlehem)?

Answer 4

The Messiah (ruler of Israel) will be born in Bethlehem.

Question 5

How does Hosea 11:1 link to Jesus’s birth in Matthew 2:13-15 (Joseph’s second dream)?

Answer 5

God called Israel (my son) out of Egypt: the Exodus
Joseph had taken Jesus to Egypt for safety

Question 6

How does Jeremiah 31:15 link to Jesus’s birth in Matthew 2:16-18 (Herod, Murder of the children, Bethlehem)?

Answer 6

Rachel crying over children captured in Babylon. The exiled Jews did return to their land as Jesus will do from Israel.
Rachel represents the mothers of the children weeping for their murdered sons.
Rachel died in childbirth; her grave is in Bethlehem.