Matthew the Apostle of Jesus Christ

 Matthew…the Jew, the man, the Apostle of 

Jesus Christ.

The text of Matthew doesn’t identify its author, but ever since the second century ad, Christian tradition has ascribed this Gospel to Matthew the tax collector.

When you see the Bible in its ancient context, it comes to life as a body of literature that shaped God’s people. These are the people who were known first as the sons of Jacob, the people of Israel, and later as the Jewish people, and from them came Jesus and the Christian tradition. This is the true story of the whole world, of every person, and of our deep need for relationship with the God who made the universe. This is the story of how God sought to know us and love us—by sending His Son to die and rise for us, so that we may truly live.

One of Matthew’s primary goals is to show that Jesus is the Messiah—the fulfillment of Jewish hopes for salvation. Matthew emphasizes that the kingdom of heaven has arrived with Jesus—but at the same time, the kingdom has not yet come in its fullness. That will happen with Jesus’ return.

Matthew emphasizes Jesus’ identity as the divine Son of God, who has authority to control nature, heal disease, and forgive sin. In everything He does, Jesus is acting in the name and power of God Himself.

Matthew emphasizes that Jesus is the long-awaited Jewish Messiah and King, who fulfills God’s promises in the Old Testament. Jesus is not just a wise teacher; He is the one God has chosen to usher in the kingdom of heaven. He has come to save and to restore humanity into right relationship with God—starting first with Israel and then moving to the wider world.

One way to organize the Gospel of Matthew is by the five major blocks of Jesus’ teaching.

These five blocks are: the Sermon on the Mount; the missionary discourse; Jesus’ parables; Jesus’ teaching on discipleship; and Jesus’ teaching about His return and the day of judgment. 

This five-part division could serve as an echo of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Old Testament). Matthew is presenting Jesus as a new Moses. Like Moses, Jesus is leading God’s people in an exodus—this new exodus involves breaking the bonds of sin. And just as Moses delivered God’s law, Jesus fulfills it.

Another way to organize Matthew’s Gospel is to structure it around significant turning points in Jesus’ ministry. These turning points are marked by a transition in the aspect or location of Jesus’ ministry. 

The first section describes the time before Jesus’ public ministry, including His family history and early childhood, His baptism, and His temptation by the devil. The second section, which details Jesus’ public ministry in Galilee, particularly focuses on His miracles, teachings, and conflicts with religious leaders.The last section tells of the rejection and suffering of Jesus in Jerusalem and concludes with His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension.

By the end of Matthew’s Gospel, some of Jesus’ disciples are worshiping Him—and it is here that it becomes apparent that the people realize what we have also found to be true: Jesus is God Himself. Today, we proclaim Jesus as our Jewish Messiah, who is also our King and God! He is all we ever hoped for and far more. And this savior, Jesus, inspires us to both praise Him and take action—He motivates us to make disciples of all nations, a work that is far from done. Faithlife Bible.

Acts 13:46-48

It was too small a thing, His life too precious and rare, that JESUS would come to save the Jews only…He came so that all could have life, in abundance, here and for eternity with Him.

FAITH IS THE MOST PRECIOUS GIFT YOU WILL EVER RECEIVE.

Paul acknowledges that because the Jews were chosen by Yahweh and had unique promises from Him, they had to be presented the gospel first. Faithlife Bible.

A person who convinces himself that he does not need forgiveness from the Holy One has already condemned himself. NKJ Bible.

Acts 13:46–48 (NKJV)

⁴⁶ Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. ⁴⁷ For so the Lord has commanded us:

‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles,

That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”

⁴⁸ Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.

Isaiah 42:6 (NKJV)

⁶ “I, the Lord, have called You in righteousness,

And will hold Your hand;

I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people,

As a light to the Gentiles,

Isaiah 49:6 (NKJV)

⁶ Indeed He says,

‘It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant

To raise up the tribes of Jacob,

And to restore the preserved ones of Israel;

I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles,

That You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”

1 Corinthians 3:1-4

The Ecumenical Council promotes a united front for the Body of Christ. a community bound together in the love of Christ will draw others into it. 

There are more similarities than differences and the differences can be overcome in the Blood of the Lamb.

Whoever believes in Jesus will not perish but have eternal life.

The Corinthian believers demonstrated their immaturity through divisiveness and failure to grasp the significance of Jesus’ death on the cross. Paul asserts that such behavior is inappropriate for those in Christ.Paul does not fault them for being human, but he does fault them for their unethical conduct. As people who assume they are wise, they should have known to behave better.  

Jealousy and strife are two actions that harm the unity of the Church both are characteristic of sophists. Faithlife Bible.

sophist | ˈsäfəst |

a paid teacher of philosophy and rhetoric in ancient Greece, associated in popular thought with moral skepticism and specious reasoning.

• a person who reasons with clever but fallacious arguments.

Paul did not expect the Corinthians to be mature in Christ at the time of their conversion. By placing their faith in Christ, they had been justified. They had been united with Him and his death on the Cross, and the Spirit of God had come to live in them. They were considered righteous before God because of Jesus’ righteousness. Thus when Paul first established the church at Corinth he taught them as new converts, as those justified. Yet he expected them to grow in their faith—that is, become sanctified. The behavior of the Christians in Corinth should have begun to line up with their righteous position in Christ. NKJ Bible.

1 Corinthians 3:1–4 (NKJv)

3 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. ² I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; ³ for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? ⁴ For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?

 Peter 2:2 (NKJV)

² as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,

Mark 1:12-13

God did not promise us a life without challenges, but a life of self sacrifice, to help those He has placed in our life. If we are following the path He has placed us on we will be tempted in all areas to stand approved…but we never travel alone!  The trials of this world are overcome with the Word made flesh in Scripture.

We are refined in the fire of the Holy Spirit.

Having commissioned Jesus, the Spirit now exposes Jesus to a period of testing by Satan, preparing Him for the task ahead. Faithlife Bible.

By the time of Mark’s Gospel, Satan is understood as a renegade spiritual figure who is openly opposing God’s will and has considerable evil power in the present age.

 Mark introduces an event of conflict to seize his readers’ attention. Being tempted by Satan is something that all believers face, but Jesus triumphed completely over his adversary. NKJ Bible.

 Mark 1:12–13 (NKJV)

¹² Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness. ¹³ And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him.

Matthew 4:10 (NKJV)

¹⁰ Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”

Acts 23:2-5

There is a distinct line, JESUS, that marks the boundaries between man and God. We should make every effort to support our leaders but ultimately God has the final word. 

If it goes against the Word of God, Jesus Christ, then Scripture has the final say.

A corrupt high priest who ruled around ad 47–58. First-century Jewish historian Josephus records that he was quick-tempered (Josephus, Antiquities 20.197–99)

It is possible Paul had never seen Ananias and was not aware he was the high priest. It is also possible that Paul was speaking sarcastically: He did not recognize Ananias because Ananias was not acting the way the high priest was supposed to act. Faithlife Bible.

Whitewash is a thin paint used to make something dirty look clean. Ananias deserved this rebuke. The fact that Ananias had someone else “do his dirty work” did not absolve him from the ordering of the act. NKJ Bible.

Acts 23:2–5 (NKJV)

² And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. ³ Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! For you sit to judge me according to the law, and do you command me to be struck contrary to the law?”

⁴ And those who stood by said, “Do you revile God’s high priest?”

⁵ Then Paul said, “I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’ ”

Exodus 22:28 (NKJV)

²⁸ “You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people.

Mark 14:29-31

Our biggest stumbling block is our pride. If we, through the power of the Holy Spirit, can see it for what it is and be humbled and grateful we are progressing on our walk. It is truly nothing about us but everything about Jesus. 

 In ourselves we can do nothing but in Him through the power of the Holy Spirit…all things are possible.

Overconfidence is deadly. Peter did not heed the words of Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goes before destruction, / And a haughty spirit before a fall.” Pride was Satan’s downfall, and it can frequently be ours as well. Peter, so emphatic in his denial, soon realized the emptiness of his hasty declaration. NKJ Bible.

Mark 14:29–31 (NKJV)

²⁹ Peter said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble, yet I will not be.”

³⁰ Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.”

³¹ But he spoke more vehemently, “If I have to die with You, I will not deny You!”

And they all said likewise.

Matthew 26:33 (NKJV)

³³ Peter answered and said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.”

Luke 22:33 (NKJV)

³³ But he said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.”

Mark 6:4-6

In order to do the works of God you must believe in the works of God. Seeking approval from others can stop the work that the Holy Spirit wants to do in and through you.

Just believe in His power to do what you cannot do on your own.

 It is all about Jesus and His life, death and resurrection.

Jesus declares that it is normal for a prophet’s own people to reject the prophet. This statement reintroduces the issue of what true family is. Faithlife Bible.

Perhaps others were jealous of Jesus’ popularity and huge following. Their envy even took the form of violence against Christ. NKJ Bible.

Mark 6:4–6 (NKJV)

⁴ But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.” ⁵ Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. ⁶ And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.

Isaiah 59:16 (NKJV)

¹⁶ He saw that there was no man,

And wondered that there was no intercessor;

Therefore His own arm brought salvation for Him;

And His own righteousness, it sustained Him.

1 Corinthians 2:13-16

Holy Spirit, please, give me spiritual wisdom, not the foolishness of the wisdom of the age we live in, but Godly wisdom that can only come from above. 

Christ within…our only hope to give You glory!

Without God’s help through the Spirit, people lack the ability to understand His plans or work.The Spirit (pneuma) is the one who truly explains and reveals the ways of God to people—believers are just messengers and instruments of the Spirit’s message.Those who belong to the Spirit do not need to subject themselves to human condemnation or approval; they recognize that God is their only judge.

God’s wisdom is incomprehensible—yet He has enabled believers to understand the wisdom of His salvation through the crucified Messiah, Jesus. Faithlife Bible.

Paul emphasized that the intellectuals of this world could not teach the knowledge he was giving to the Corinthian believers. The Spirit did not simply dictate words to Paul and the other apostles; He taught them. The apostles related with their own vocabulary and style what they had learned from the Spirit. Receive here means “to welcome.” This verb does not pertain to discovering the meaning of a passage, but applying the meaning to life. NKJ Bible.

1 Corinthians 2:13–16 (NKJV)

¹³ These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. ¹⁴ But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. ¹⁵ But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. ¹⁶ For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

Matthew 16:23 (NKJV)

²³ But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”

John 15:15 (NKJV)

¹⁵ No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.

One of the main problems facing the first-century Corinthian church was division. When Paul wrote to Corinth, the church was divided into at least four factions, each of them aligned with one of four prominent Christian leaders. One group identified itself with the apostle Paul. The members of this faction may have been attracted by Paul’s emphasis on his ministry to the Gentiles. A second group identified itself with Apollos, one of Paul’s fellow missionaries. He may have attracted a following because of his eloquent speaking abilities. A third group identified itself with Cephas, another name for the apostle Peter. This group may have been mostly of Jewish background. A fourth group identified itself specifically with Christ. While on the surface it might seem that this group was the “godly” contingent of the Corinthian church, this may not have been the case. Paul does not commend any of the groups, not even the “I am of Christ” faction, suggesting that all of their professed allegiances were causing division and dissension in that church.

As believers today, we must guard ourselves against identifying too closely with human leaders or placing too much emphasis on them. Our loyalty and identification belong only to Jesus Christ and His message. NKJ Bible.

Luke 11:33-36

Let your light so shine before men that they are drawn to the light of Christ within you. If we hold up the love of God given in the sacrifice of the cross others will see that love in action. Help me Holy Spirit to live out my faith in Your love, mercy and grace and to share it with everyone that I meet.

Cleanse me from the inside out that I may be an example of what You can do in a life given back to You.

A person can become like light, a living picture of what God’s Word teaches, by concentrating on the light of the truth. NKJ Bible.

Luke 11:33–36 (NKJV)

³³ “No one, when he has lit a lamp, puts it in a secret place or under a basket, but on a lampstand, that those who come in may see the light. ³⁴ The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore, when your eye is good, your whole body also is full of light. But when your eye is bad, your body also is full of darkness. ³⁵ Therefore take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness. ³⁶ If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, the whole body will be full of light, as when the bright shining of a lamp gives you light.”

Matthew 6:22 (NKJV)

²²  “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light.

Ephesians 4:25-32

How hard it is to hate the sin but love the sinner. 

There are social injustices that should never be tolerated and to see them repeated over and over depletes my reserve of patience. Sometimes I just want to shake someone. The fruit of the Spirit within me convicts me every time. He has such love, gentleness and long suffering for people that my stinking attitude has to go  in light of His goodness. I guess if I had to be truthful with myself the hatred that abounds just makes me plain sad. I truthfully want no one to die without knowing the peace that only comes when we know our Maker and accept His gift of salvation in Jesus. Lord help me to always filter every thing…every. litte. thing…in Your love. What I am not capable of You are!!! I love You and out of that love I love all of Your creation.

Paul quotes Psalm 4:4 from the Septuagint (the ancient Greek translation of the old testament). Paul seems to acknowledge that anger can be unavoidable, but he also recognizes that it can quickly develop into an occasion for sin. Paul calls believers to work for the sake of others.  Paul seems to be indicating that poor treatment of others can constrain the work of the Spirit.

Psalm 4:4 (NKJV)

⁴ Be angry, and do not sin.

Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still.

Selah

The Greek word used here, charizomai, implies not only forgiving, but doing so with a gracious attitude. Paul uses this same word elsewhere to describe God’s forgiveness. Faithlife Bible.

Paul calls for believers to speak the truth to each other, because all believers are united in Christ.

Paul uses Psalm 4:4 to illustrate that not all wrath is sinful. However, anger should not be allowed to fester or continue for long. Christians may respond in controlled anger to injustice and sin, but they should never be consumed by this anger. Instead they should seek opportunities to express Christ’s love to everyone.

Instead of taking what belongs to someone else, a Christian should earn enough to share some of his or her own earnings with the needy. This is not merely a call to stop stealing or being greedy. Rather, this is a call to be generous, to have a true change of attitude. Note that Paul acknowledges that evil thoughts and actions are temptations even for those who are sealed by the Holy Spirit. NKJ Bible.

Ephesians 4:25–32 (NKJV)

²⁵ Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. ²⁶ “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, ²⁷ nor give place to the devil. ²⁸ Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. ²⁹ Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹ Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. ³² And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

Colossians 3:12 (NKJV)

¹² Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;

Luke 3:11 (NKJV)

¹¹ He answered and said to them, “He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.”