Gospel According to Matthew

B

Second Narrative Discourse

The second narrative (8:1-9:34) presents examples of Jesus' ability to heal the diseased and infirm through the power of faith. In the second discourse (9:35-10:42), Jesus commands his 12 disciples to heal and preach “to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (10:6) and lays down the conditions of discipleship.

C

Third Narrative Discourse

The third narrative (chapters 11-12) recounts the mounting opposition of the Pharisees to Jesus' works and teaching. The subject of the third discourse (13:1-52) is the kingdom of heaven. Jesus speaks about it in parables, and when he is asked by the disciples why he speaks in this manner to the people, Jesus answers, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given” (13:11). Included in this discourse are the parables of the sower (13:18-23), the weeds (13:24-30), and the mustard seed (13:31-32).

D

Fourth Narrative Discourse

The fourth narrative (13:53-17:23) begins with the story of the rejection of Jesus by the townspeople of Nazareth (13:53-58). It also reports the death of John the Baptist (14:3-12), a number of miracles and acts of healing done by Jesus, one miraculous act of Saint Peter, the revelation to the disciples at Caesarea Philippi of his divine nature and vocation (16:13-16), the founding of the church (16:17-19), Jesus' foretelling of his passion and resurrection, and the transfiguration (17:1-8). The fourth discourse (17:24-18:35) is concerned with the administration of the church. It is noteworthy that Matthew 16:17-19 and Matthew 18:17 are the only passages in the four Gospels in which the word church appears.

E

Fifth Narrative Discourse

The fifth narrative (chapters 19-22) details Jesus' last journey through Judea to Jerusalem, including the entry into Jerusalem, and tells of the driving out of the money changers from the Temple. Also included are controversies between Jesus and the Sadducees and Pharisees over tribute to Caesar, the resurrection, “the great commandment in the law” (22:36-37), and the ancestry of the Messiah. The final major discourse falls into two parts. In the first (chapter 23), Jesus criticizes the Pharisees and scribes because, among their other faults, they “outwardly appear righteous to men, but within ... are full of hypocrisy and iniquity” (23:28). In the second part (chapters 24-25), Jesus reveals to his disciples the signs of his glorious return and of the end of the world (24:3). He also speaks to them in the parables of the fig tree (24:32-33), the ten virgins (25:1-13), and the talents (25:14-30) about the coming kingdom of heaven and depicts the last judgment (see Eschatology).

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The anointing of Jesus, his betrayal, the Last Supper, Jesus' agony and arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, and his trial, crucifixion, death, and burial are related in the first of the two culminating narratives (chapters 26-27). His resurrection and his commission to the disciples to teach all nations (28:19) are reported in the closing narrative (chapter 28). Stories and details unique to Matthew found in these culminating narratives include the death of Jesus' betrayer, Judas Iscariot (27:3-10), the dream of Pontius Pilate's wife (27:19), Pilate's washing his hands of responsibility for Jesus' death (27:24-25), the earthquake following Jesus' death (27:51-53), the guard at the tomb (27:62-66), the earthquake at the time of Jesus' resurrection (28:2-4), and the appearances of the risen Christ to Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of James (28:9-10), and later to his disciples in Galilee (28:16-20).

IV

Distinctive Qualities

Notable in Matthew are its emphasis on Jesus as the promised Messiah, the legitimate heir of King David, and on matters pertaining to the church. Evidence that it probably was written for Jewish Christians may be found, for instance, in much of the material unique to this Gospel, which is concerned with representing Jesus as the fulfillment of the Old Testament. Unique, too, is the superior position of Saint Peter, who is singled out by Jesus as the keeper of “the keys of the kingdom of heaven” (16:19). The deep interest in the disciples generally, which is displayed by all the evangelists, is emphasized in Matthew. The author of Matthew gives the fullest account of how Jesus called them, how he instructed them, how they failed him, and how the risen Christ forgave and rehabilitated them.

The influence of Matthew on Christianity has been dominant ever since its composition. Besides its theological importance in the formulation of doctrine—an importance shared only by the Gospel of John—such well-known sections as the Beatitudes, the Lord's Prayer, and the passion stories are better known and more frequently read or cited than the parallel passages in the other Gospels.

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