Gospel of Matthew: Jesus the Teacher CHAPTER FIVE Gospel of Matthew: Jesus the Teacher

Background - Known as the “first gospel” • Not the first gospel composed • Matthew’s gospel was the first book listed in the New Testament Canon • Placed first of the four gospels - Doubts about the authorship: 1.) Contains about 80% of Mark’s Gospel 2.) Was originally written in Greek

Background Why was it printed as the first gospel? - Christians believed it was composed by one of Jesus’ own apostles - Well ordered - Contains detailed teaching lessons • Especially in Christian ethics - Emphasis on fulfillment of Old Testament prophesy • Great link between Old and New Testament

Background - Written after the gospel of Mark - Composed by a Jewish-Christian for a predominantly Jewish-Christian audience - The author assumes that his audience knows Jewish customs • Number symbolism • Uses Hebrew terms without explanation

Background Themes in Matthew’s Gospel: -Judgement -Jesus is Emmanuel -Discipleship -Church -Right Instruction

Comparing Mark & Matthew - Begins with Jesus’ public ministry - Jesus reluctantly accepted Peter’s confession of him as the Christ - Apostles are slow to understand Jesus is the Messiah - Ends with no resurrection appearance by Jesus Matthew - Begins with genealogy of Jesus, tracing him to David and Abraham - Next is the infancy narratives - Peter identifies Jesus as Messiah and Son of God. Jesus praises Peter - Apostles understand after “walking on water” - Concludes with two resurrection appearances

Jesus the Teacher - Matthew portrays Jesus as • Sole teacher worthy of our obedience • A new Moses who brings a new law to God’s people - Gospel arranged into five discourses: 1.) Love and forgiveness 2.) Standing up to ridicule 3.) Pursuing God’s kingdom with single-minded devotion 4.) Trusting God 5.) Prayer and sharing with the needy

Jesus the Teacher Discourse One - Sermon on the Mount - First and most important of the five discourses in gospel - Summarizes the New Law of the gospel • A law of love, grace, and freedom - Collects Jesus’ ethical teachings in one place - Directed towards Christians and those who have accepted the gospel

Jesus the Teacher Discourse One - Sermon on the Mount, Cont. - Six examples to show importance of a changed heart (an interior attitude for love of God and neighbors): 1.) We must not murder 2.) We must not commit adultery 3.) We must not take idle oaths or swear 4.) We must not seek revenge 5.) We must have a right attitude 6.) We must not judge others/ pray in trust

Jesus the Teacher Discourse Two - Sharing the Faith with Others - Jesus instructs his apostles to imitate his ministry • To preach the kingdom to the Chosen People in a spirit of poverty - Apostles are promised: • Holy Spirit will help them stand firm and testify courageously • God will watch over them with love and tenderness -We should never forget that belonging to Jesus means that we will inevitably suffer for him

Jesus the Teacher Discourse Three - Parables about the Kingdom - Parable: short story drawn from ordinary life that makes a comparison with a religious message • Discourse contains seven parables that reveal the nature of the kingdom of heaven - Allegory: sustained comparison where many story elements correspond to some reality outside the story (Parable of Sower)

Jesus the Teacher Discourse Three - Parables about the Kingdom, Cont. - Parables found in Matthew’s Gospel • Parable of the mustard seed • Parable of the yeast • Parables of the treasure in the field and the “pearl of great price” • Parables of the weeds among the wheat • Parable of the Sower

Jesus the Teacher Discourse Four - Jesus Founds and Instructs the Church - Jesus is the head of the Church: its guide and model • He continues to rule, guide, teach, and sanctify it through his appointed leaders - Matthew 16:18-19 • Jesus instituted the Catholic Church • Appoints Peter as its earthly leader - Christ’s clear intent was to establish a hierarchical Church - Today, the Holy Father is the successor to Peter

Jesus the Teacher Discourse Five - The Final Judgement - “Eschatological” discourse • Means end time • Theme of discourse involves the end of the Temple, end of the world, and judgement on the Last Day -We should always be ready for the Lord’s return -Parable of the talents • Make good use of the time the Lord has given us -Concludes with famous parable of judgement at the end of time, unique to Matthew

Challenging Judaism - Mathew has the most references to the Old Testament and Judaism • Critical of Judaism in several places -Anti-Semitism is a form of prejudice • Pope John Paul II made it clear that to be anti-Semitic is to be anti-Christian -Matthew 23 reflects the religious turmoil within Judaism • Matthew is trying to win over his fellow Jews to the view that Jesus fulfills the promises made to Israel

Vocabulary • Eschatological • Gehenna • Hierarchy • Phylactery • Scandal