An Introduction to the Gospel of Matthew: Jesus the King
The Gospel of Matthew stands as a foundational book in the New Testament, serving as a vital bridge between the Old and New Covenants. Written primarily for a Jewish audience, Matthew's central aim is to present Jesus Christ as the long-awaited Messiah, the promised King of Israel, who fulfills the prophecies of the Hebrew Scriptures. Unlike the other Synoptic Gospels, Matthew meticulously traces Jesus' lineage to Abraham and David, demonstrating His rightful claim to the throne. Through careful arrangement of Jesus' teachings, miracles, and interactions, Matthew builds an undeniable case for His divine authority and sovereign reign, inviting readers to acknowledge Him as their King and enter His eternal kingdom.
The Author and His Audience
The author of this profound Gospel is traditionally identified as Matthew, also known as Levi, a tax collector called by Jesus to be one of His twelve apostles. His account in Matthew 9:9 succinctly describes his calling: "And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him." As a former tax collector, Matthew was well-versed in record-keeping and precise detail, qualities evident in his Gospel's structured presentation. His Jewish background uniquely positioned him to appeal to a Jewish readership, which was steeped in the Old Testament Law and the prophecies concerning the Messiah.
Matthew's Gospel is replete with references to Old Testament prophecies and their fulfillment in Jesus. He frequently employs phrases such as "that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet," a clear signal to his Jewish audience that Jesus was not merely a good teacher or prophet, but the very Messiah foretold for centuries. This emphasis on fulfillment serves to authenticate Jesus' identity and mission, addressing the critical question for Jewish believers: Could this Jesus truly be the Christ?
Jesus: The Promised King
Matthew’s primary theme is Jesus as the rightful King. From the very first verse, Jesus is introduced as "the son of David, the son of Abraham" (Matthew 1:1), immediately establishing His royal and covenantal lineage. The genealogy in Matthew 1:1-17 meticulously traces His descent through the royal line of David, solidifying His claim to Israel's throne.
The birth narrative further underscores His kingship. The wise men from the East famously inquire, "Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him" (Matthew 2:2). Their journey and worship confirm the recognition of Jesus' royal status even by Gentiles. Throughout the Gospel, Jesus demonstrates His kingly authority not only through His teachings but also through His mighty works. His power over sickness, demons, and even nature (Matthew 8:27: "But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!") proclaims His sovereign rule.
The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) is often regarded as the King's manifesto, outlining the principles and ethics of His kingdom. Here, Jesus does not abolish the Law but fulfills and reinterprets it, calling His subjects to a higher righteousness that exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 5:20). This sermon reveals the heart of the King and the demands of His reign: not mere external obedience, but an inward transformation and a life of radical devotion.
The Kingdom of Heaven
A distinctive feature of Matthew's Gospel is his consistent use of the phrase "the kingdom of heaven" instead of "the kingdom of God," likely out of reverence for the divine name among his Jewish readers. This kingdom is central to Jesus' preaching from the very beginning: "Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 3:2; Matthew 4:17). Matthew presents the kingdom as both a present reality that has dawned with Jesus' arrival and a future consummation.
Jesus' parables, particularly those in Matthew 13, vividly illustrate the nature of this kingdom: its growth (parable of the mustard seed), its pervasive influence (parable of the leaven), its value (parable of the treasure and the pearl of great price), and its ultimate separation of the righteous from the wicked (parable of the tares and the net). These parables teach that while the kingdom has begun, its full manifestation awaits a future judgment, and entry requires a radical commitment to the King and His ways.
Fulfillment of Prophecy
Matthew's frequent references to Old Testament prophecies are crucial to his argument for Jesus' messianic identity. He employs at least ten "fulfillment formulas," explicitly stating that an event in Jesus' life occurred "that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet." Some key examples include:
- The virgin birth: "Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." (Matthew 1:22-23, citing Isaiah 7:14).
- Jesus' birth in Bethlehem: "And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel." (Matthew 2:5-6, citing Micah 5:2).
- The flight into Egypt: "And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son." (Matthew 2:15, citing Hosea 11:1).
- His ministry in Galilee: "That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up." (Matthew 4:14-16, citing Isaiah 9:1-2).
These consistent references serve as undeniable evidence for the Jewish reader that Jesus is indeed the promised Messiah, meticulously fulfilling every detail of ancient prophecy, thereby establishing His claim to kingship.
Discipleship and the Great Commission
Matthew’s Gospel is not only an introduction to Jesus the King but also a call to follow Him as disciples. The King’s demands are high, requiring self-denial and cross-bearing (Matthew 16:24-25). Yet, the reward is life in His kingdom. Matthew structures much of Jesus' teaching into five major discourses (Sermon on the Mount, Missionary Discourse, Parables of the Kingdom, Discourse on Humility and Forgiveness, Olivet Discourse), emphasizing Jesus' role as the supreme teacher and lawgiver for His kingdom citizens.
The Gospel culminates with the glorious resurrection of Jesus and His final command to His followers, known as the Great Commission:
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
This commission underscores Jesus' universal kingship ("All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth") and His expectation for His disciples to extend His kingdom throughout the world, making more disciples who will obey His royal commands.
Conclusion
The Gospel of Matthew presents a compelling and comprehensive portrait of Jesus Christ as the long-awaited King of Israel, the Messiah who fulfills all Old Testament prophecy. From His royal genealogy and miraculous birth to His authoritative teachings, powerful miracles, and ultimate resurrection, Matthew consistently demonstrates Jesus' sovereign authority. He is the King who establishes a new covenant, inaugurates the kingdom of heaven, and calls all people—both Jew and Gentile—to repent, believe, and become His disciples. Matthew's Gospel serves as a foundational declaration that Jesus is indeed Lord, the King of kings and Lord of lords, whose reign is eternal and whose kingdom is open to all who submit to His benevolent rule.