exegisis matthew Flashcards
Greek word only in the gospel of Matthew
“ekklēsia, (“church”)” is used only in Matthew.
How the gospel was seen in the early church?
- Matthew was the favorite and most prominent Gospel of early Christianity. It was typically listed first, and it was the Gospel most frequently quoted by the Church Fathers.
Authorship
External Evidence:
1) Most citied Gospel of the Church Fathers
2) Earliest copies of the book contain superscription “according to Matthew”
3) Only Matthean authorship explains the church’s early acceptance of the book.
Internal Evidence:
1) Although Matthew does not identify himself as the book’s author, such an omission is not surprising.
2) As a tax-gatherer he no doubt felt shame regarding his former profession and therefore omitted his name from the book.
3) IThe book also omits other stories that Jesus told about tax-gatherers
Arguments against Matthew as an author
The scholars argue that Matthew reproduces 90% of Mark.
The second argument against Matthew refers to the way the Gospel is written
Date of writing
Arguments for the earlier date
because it would seem strange for the author not to mention the destruction of the temple in light of chapter 24.
This dating also allows time for Luke to use Matthew’s Gospel in composing his own Gospel, as well as its sequel
Arguments for the later date (2-3)
Matthew refers to “collectors of the double drachma.”
In addition, some scholars argue that the parable in Matthew 22:1-14 (especially v.7) is too close to the reality of Jerusalem’s destruction.
3 Main Purpose of Matthew
1) Jesus is the messiah
2) The Kingdom of Heaven
3) God’s program for the church
Identify the recipients of the Gospel and three arguments for it
- Gospel was written in Greek Readers: Greek-speaking Jews (Jewish Audience)
1) Matthew does not explain Jewish customs
2) Jesus is portrayed as new Moses
3) Teachings as a New Torah
Identify all the genres (just name them)
1) Gospel
2) Midrash
3) Lectionary
4) Catechesis
5) Church correctives
6) Missionary propaganda to the Jews
7) Polemic against the rabbis
5 Sermons of Matthew (Discourses)
1) Sermon on the Mount (Ethics)
2) Commissioning the Twelve (Mission)
3) Parables (Nature)
4) Community Instructions (Governance)
5) The Olivet Discourse (Future of the Kingdom)
How does Matthew portray Jesus
1) King
2) Teacher
3) Rabbi
4) As a master storyteller
5) As Son of David
6) Jesus is the embodiment of Wisdom
Original Language (3 why was written in Greek)
- Does not seem to be a translation but rather an original
- There are thousands of Greek manuscripts but not one Aramaic
- The Gospel contains no Aramaisms
4 unique characteristics of Matthew
1) Matthew contains the most teachings of Jesus (60%)
2) Emphasizes kingdom parables
3) Special emphasis on eschatology
4) A bridge between OT and NT
Difference between a Contract and a Covenant
- Contract: agreement between 2 or more parties which creates an obligation to do or not to do a
particular thing (Contemporary/Western thinking) - Covenant: promise between 2 or more parties, by which either of the two parties pledges himself
to the other (Hebrew/Biblical thinking)
