Mathew

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hurch authority(the word "church" is only used twice in the synoptic gospels, both in Matthew) and the positive image of the disciples may in part account for the placement of Matthew first in the arrangement of the books of the New Testament. Another reason may be that Matthew adds an infancy narrative and post-resurrectional appearances of Jesus to the material he receives from Mark. He thus may have been considered to have a more complete story than Mark.

 

 

Likely Audience:

A. Primarily Jewish Christians

1. There are many references to the Old Testament including fulfillment of prophesy (see chapters 1 and 2)

2. Several Aramaic words are not translated.[give specifics ]

3. Also, the attitude towards the Scribes and Pharisees is decidedly negative(see chapter 23) in part because they were in competition with the new Christian faith.

(10:17) "But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you from their synagogues."

4. Comparison of Jesus to Moses.

(Ch. 5) He is shown like Moses and greater than Moses. Moses went up the mount and gave the law; Jesus went up the mount and gave the new teaching.

Further similarities:

Jesus Moses

Threatened as an infant: (Mt. 2:13) (Ex. 1:8)

Infants slaughtered (Mt. 2:16) (Ex. 1:12)

Flees to/from Egypt (Mt. 2:14) (Ex. 2:11)

 

5. Less description of Jewish customs than Mark; one does not need to describe Jewish customs to Jewish people and less translation of Hebrew words.

[give examples]

B. Matthew also gives evidence of writing for gentiles:

1. Matthew points out four Gentile women in genealogy of Jesus: Tamara, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba.

2. Also Magi whom commentators assume are gentiles came to worship Jesus at his birth.

3. As son of Abraham (who was father of many nations) Jesus is for all nations.

4. There are specific references to inclusion of gentiles: (Mt. 8:11) "And I say to you, tha...