| Welcome to the gospel of Matthew. Matthew belongd to the synoptic gospels of Mark and Luke. The reason these three gospels are called synopticis because when seen together they have much common material. They also have material that is unique to their own gospel. The point of the gospels, i.e. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John is that you may know this Jesus is the Christ. By believing in this Jesus the Christ you may have eternal life.( John 20:30,31) Mathew, Mark and Luke try to show you that Jesus is the Christ because he is the one descended from King David.. For example in Luke The Angel tells Mary that God will give him the throne of his father David and that of his Kingdom there will be no end. In the Jews mind and anyone who knows the Old Testament 2 Samuel 7:12,13 springs immediatly to mind. There David is promised by God on oath that a descendant of His will have his throne and Kingdom established Forever. Get to know and understand this promise to David. It is crucial to understanding the jewish hope of a Messiah from Davids line. So the gospels are very evangelistic letters. They advance a worldview of life and death and God to change your mind to trust and follow this Jesus. The style that they are written in is very much that of historical narrative. There is one difference they seek to interpret historical events theologically. This is a key to these Gospels and indeed the bible. Without this method of interpretation in place you can easily misunderstand what is being said.And without a good grasp of the Old Testaments "Hope" you won't get far. Never fear that is why this commentary is being written. It is to help you understand the "faith of Israel"which is now the hope of all the nations. |
