Use the writings of Matthew to discuss the concept of the Gospel

Matthew's Gospel holds the first position in the canonical arrangement of the New Testament, underscoring its importance for early Jewish-Christian audiences. The Gospel connects the story of Israel with the life and mission of Jesus Christ, presenting Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah who fulfils Old Testament prophecies.

Authorship and Date

Early Church tradition attributes this Gospel to Matthew (Levi), one of the Twelve Apostles and a former tax collector. Scholars suggest it was written between 70 and 90 AD, possibly at Antioch or another area with a significant Jewish population.

Sources Matthew Used

Matthew drew heavily from earlier sources:

• Mark: Approximately 90% of Mark's Gospel appears in Matthew. Matthew has 28 chapters with 1,070 verses, while Mark has 16 chapters with 661 verses—about 600 of these are found in Matthew.
• Q Source (German Quelle, meaning "source"): A hypothetical collection of Jesus' sayings and teachings, emphasizing ethical teachings, parables, and apocalyptic warnings
• M Source: Material found only in Matthew, representing either independent written sources or oral traditions

The Community and Audience

The Gospel was written primarily to a Jewish audience, as evidenced by:

• Extensive use of Old Testament quotations showing familiarity with Hebrew Scriptures
• Genealogy tracing Jesus' lineage to Abraham and King David
• Use of Aramaic expressions such as "Kingdom of Heaven" (instead of "Kingdom of God")
• References to Jewish apocalyptic material in chapters 24-25

However, Matthew also emphasizes universal mission. The Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 commands disciples to "make disciples of all nations," indicating the Gospel's intended reach beyond Judaism.

Matthew's Gospel presents several key theological themes that define its concept of the Gospel:

1. Jesus as the Promised Messiah

Matthew opens by showing Jesus as the Messianic King, heir to David's throne. The genealogy in Matthew 1:1-17 establishes Jesus' Messianic credentials through three sets of fourteen generations, connecting Abraham to David to Jesus.

2. The Kingdom of Heaven

Central to Matthew's Gospel is the proclamation that "the Kingdom of Heaven is close at hand" (Matthew 4:17). The Kingdom represents:

• God's sovereign rule over creation
• A present and future reality—already active where people believe, yet to be fully consummated at the end of the age
• A spiritual and transformational reality requiring inner change, repentance, and faith

3. Fulfillment of Old Testament Prophecy

Matthew repeatedly emphasizes that Jesus fulfills Old Testament prophecies. The infancy narrative alone contains references to:

• The virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14 → Matthew 1:23)
• The flight to Egypt (Hosea 11:1 → Matthew 2:15)
• The massacre of infants (Jeremiah 31:15 → Matthew 2:17-18)
• The return from Egypt (Hosea 11:1 → Matthew 2:19-23)

4. Righteousness and Justice

Matthew presents righteousness as essential to Christian living. Jesus teaches that one's "righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees" (Matthew 5:20), emphasizing internal transformation rather than mere external observance.

5. Universal Salvation

Despite its Jewish tone, Matthew's Gospel clearly presents universal mission. The Magi (Gentiles) worship the infant King (Matthew 2:1-12), and the Great Commission sends disciples to all nations.

The textbook outlines several reasons why the Gospels, including Matthew, were written:

• To preserve the history and teachings of Jesus for future generations as eyewitnesses began to pass away
• To strengthen and teach Christian communities facing challenges such as persecution, doubt, or conflict
• To proclaim Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies
• To combat false teachings that emerged as Christianity spread
• To fulfil an evangelistic mission bringing people to faith in Christ

The purpose statement in John 20:31 applies to all Gospels: "These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name."

Several features distinguish Matthew's presentation of the Gospel:

The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) contains the Beatitudes, which describe the character of those who belong to the Kingdom. These eight declarations present values that contrast with worldly standards:

1. "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven"
2. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted"
3. "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth"
4. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled"
5. "Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy"
6. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God"
7. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God"
8. "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven"

These Beatitudes form an inclusio—the first and last beatitudes both promise "the kingdom of heaven"—demonstrating that the entire set concerns life under God's rule.

Matthew's concept of the Gospel is comprehensive: it is not merely about receiving forgiveness or heaven, but about receiving God Himself. The Gospel is the good news that God has done everything necessary to bring humanity into everlasting joy in relationship with Him. This Christ-centered view emphasizes that salvation includes reconciliation with God, transformation of character, and participation in the Kingdom's mission.

The universal scope is clear: the Gospel is for all peoples, as demonstrated by the inclusion of Gentiles in the infancy narrative, the Great Commission, and the symbolic significance of the Magi representing all nations.

Understanding the concept of the Gospel according to Matthew helps Tanzanian students recognize that their cultural heritage—including the diverse ethnic groups represented in the Gospel's genealogy (Tamar, Ruth, Rahab)—is valued by God. In everyday life, when students face challenges like community conflicts or peer pressure, Matthew's emphasis on forgiveness, reconciliation, and loving one's neighbor provides practical guidance for building peace in their schools, churches, and families across Tanzania.