GUIDEBOOK | [40] | Gospel of Matthew

The Gospel of Matthew was primarily written to a Jewish audience who understood the Old Testament and knew the Scriptures. Most people think the genealogies in the Bible are just that, but Matthew begins with a genealogy from Abraham to Jesus for a very specific purpose: to establish Christ as the Messiah of Israel. In this way, Matthew forces the reader to deal with the claim that Jesus did not randomly appear in the New Testament, but instead came through royally promised bloodlines, legally and prophetically tied to the Israel of the Old Testament.

A recurring pattern you will notice in the Gospel of Matthew is frequent use of the word, “fulfilled.” That is because Matthew is showing the bloodline, the throne, the collapse, and the promised arrival before Jesus ever preaches a word. You are supposed to understand that He walks into a story already loaded with covenant, monarchy, judgment, prophecy, and expectation.

That is also why the fulfillment language matters so much. Matthew keeps pulling from the Old Testament because he wants the reader to see the pattern for themselves that their Messiah (Jesus Christ), did not appear out of nowhere…the record of Him was already there in every detail.

The Son of Abraham. The Son of David. The Messiah of Israel. The King who comes through Israel and sends His disciples to the world. Matthew makes the Jewish case for Jesus, then ends with Jesus claiming the world.

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