Gospel of Matthew: Introduction – What Was Matthew Trying to Prove?
Sunday October 22, 2023
What is a chiasm?
chiasm, X (chi), simple form. ABCB’A’. C is the central point. AB and A’B’ support it and are themselves parallel.
Look at a small and simple one. [turn there]
Small chiasm
Rom 5:12
through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned
The center becomes a tomb that all of us are in. The reason for our death is the support of the tomb on both sides – sin.
Its structure (chiasm) points the reader to its central section as a significant element. The other parallel pairs of units contribute to that message, while the central unit is the teaching point.
Then look at something far more complex, actually, just longer.
Chiasm of Leviticus
And Lev 16 has at its center, the offering of the bull and goat and the offering of the scape-goat, for “impurities of the sons of Israel and because of their transgressions in regard to all their sins” (Lev 16:16).
Theme: Matthew’s Gospel has a structure that points to the central purpose: Prove that Jesus is Messiah / King and Messiah and explain God’s kingdom program.
Matthew is the author and he is writing his gospel somewhere between 50-70 A.D. It is clear that this gospel is written with Jews in mind.
“A nonbelieving Jew would scoff at any assertion of the Lord Jesus being the Messiah, let alone King. ‘If Jesus is the Messiah of Israel, where is His kingdom? Where is the fulfillment of the OT promises to Israel?’ he would ask. After all, the Hebrew Scriptures are replete with foreviews of a Utopian age headed by Israel and their Messiah. Therefore, the objector would contend Jesus could not be the Messiah because He did not fulfill OT prophecies promising a kingdom for Israel.” [Behold the King, A Study of Matthew, Stanley Toussaint].
Matthew is writing his gospel to Jews around 60 A.D. to prove Jesus is King Messiah.
Legit objection of reader: Where is His kingdom?
This is a legitimate objection, and so Matthew explains God’s kingdom program as it relates to Israel. But not just them, as it relates to Jesus and the church.
Matthew clearly shows that Israel rejected their Messiah and His offer of an earthly kingdom.
The parable of the vineyard owner (in all synoptic Gospels).
Mat 21:37-44
"But afterward he sent his son to them, saying, 'They will respect my son.' 38 "But when the vine-growers saw the son, they said among themselves, 'This is the heir; come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.' 39 "They took him, and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. 40 "Therefore when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vine-growers?" 41 They said to Him, "He will bring those wretches to a wretched end, and will rent out the vineyard to other vine-growers who will pay him the proceeds at the proper seasons."
42 Jesus said to them, "Did you never read in the Scriptures,
'THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED,
THIS BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone;
THIS CAME ABOUT FROM THE LORD,
AND IT IS MARVELOUS IN OUR EYES'?
43 "Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people, producing the fruit of it. 44 "And he who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will scatter him like dust."
However, the kingdom was not taken away forever, but postponed. This is of supreme importance in Matthew’s Gospel.
The kingdom was postponed because they rejected their Messiah, but it was not cancelled. Matthew is very clear about this.
Mat 23:38-39
"Behold, your house is being left to you desolate! 39 "For I say to you, from now on you will not see Me until you say, 'BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!'"
In the meantime, God inaugurated an entirely new and previously unknown program. And you happen to find yourself in it.
Matthew reveals that while the kingdom is postponed, the kingdom program continues.
Matthew’s is the only Gospel that mentions the word “church” (16:18).
And Matthew has a large emphasis on Gentiles. Magi from the East, centurion’s faith, the healing of the Canaanite woman’s daughter, the promise of the universal proclamation of the kingdom, and the Great Commission to go to all the nations. One might find this surprising for a Gospel written to Jews.
People studying or reading the Gospels tend to fall into two camps, or two methods. One method looks at the Gospels as source books of theology.
The second approach looks at the Gospels simply as containing a narrative of Jesus’ life.
Both of these methods are fruitful and have blessed many and have made good contributions to the church. However, these two methods have failed to grasp the significance and reason for each Gospel.
The primary purpose of the gospel writers was to prove a point.
They set forth arguments to prove something.
This is why they are selective in their choice of materials. They are not trying to show the life of Jesus as a first priority. They are showing aspects of His life to prove a point.
So then, if we don’t discover Matthew’s purpose, we will not know the main reason he wrote it, which is the backbone of the book.
Chiastic structure of Matthew:
In the first and last sections, a non-Jewish ruler tried to kill Jesus, and in both instances, this happened after the ruler was told that Jesus was the King of the Jews. In both sections, Jewish rulers assisted the Gentile ruler and did not believe in Jesus. In the first section, Jesus escaped to Egypt. In the last section, He escaped from the tomb.
Centered around the main point (13); 11-12 parallels 14-17.
Parallels of 11-12 and 14-17.
John imprisoned (11) – executed (14).
Conflict with tradition (grain, 12 – washing hands, 15).
Jesus heals many (12 – 15).
The sign of Jonah (12 – 16).
Jesus rejects family (12) – Nazareth rejects Jesus (13).
The fact that Jesus rejects His family just before the main point of the Gospel in chapter 13, and directly after His hometown rejects Him, is significant.
Chapter 13 – the main point of Matthew.
Parables of the kingdom.
Prove that Jesus is the Messiah.
Explains the kingdom program of God.
Matthew presents God’s kingdom program in three aspects. First, the earthly literal kingdom was offered to Israel by the person of Jesus as her Messiah, at His first coming. Second, the kingdom was postponed because Israel rejected Him. The postponed kingdom will be established literally on earth at the second coming of Christ. Third, Christ is now engaged in building His church, composed of believers in this age, all of whom are heirs of His kingdom (Jew and Gentile).
If you learn this gospel, you will learn the incredible life of an heir to the kingdom of heaven in a world where the kingdom has been postponed.
That life is fraught with trial, tribulation, sorrow, as well as joy, overcoming, conquering, and amazing discovery. And all through it, you keep your eyes on your King, increasing and progressing to being more and more like Him.