The Purpose Of Matthew’s Gospel — Part II -- By: Andrew M. Woods

Journal: Journal of Dispensational Theology
Volume: JODT 11:34 (Dec 2007)
Article: The Purpose Of Matthew’s Gospel — Part II
Author: Andrew M. Woods


The Purpose Of Matthew’s Gospel — Part II

Andy M. Woods,

Ph.D. Cand., Dallas Theological Seminary

The previous article dealt with several background issues that are necessary to understand before the reader can fully appreciate the argument of Matthew’s Gospel. The message and purposes of the book were among the items considered. This article presents the argument of Matthew’s Gospel by showing how the book’s component parts relate to its overarching message and purpose. In Matthew’s first ten chapters, he incorporates selected historical events from the life of Christ that center around Christ’s presentation of Himself as king to the nation of Israel. According to the Old Testament, the nation had the responsibility of enthroning the king of God’s own choosing (Deut 17:15). Thus, Matthew records material indicating that Christ was the long awaited Old Testament heir that the nation should enthrone. Therefore, Matthew’s Jewish audience should have no doubt that Christ was the Messiah predicted in the pages of the Old Testament.

In order to establish that Christ is the messianic fulfillment of what was promised to Israel, Matthew begins with a genealogy that shows Christ to be the fulfillment of the Abrahamic (Gen 12:1–3; 13:14–18; 15:18–21; 17:1–8) and Davidic (2 Sam 7:11–16) Covenants (1:1–17).1 Interestingly, the genealogy begins with Abraham and traces 14 generations forward to David (1:1–6a), and an additional 14 generations forward to the Babylonian Captivity (1:6b–11),2 and an additional 14 generations forward to Chrst (1:12–16).3 While Luke’s genealogy traces Christ back to Adam, Matthew’s genealogy traces Christ back

to Abraham (1:17).4 Matthew begins with Abraham rather than Adam because of his purpose in showing Christ to be the heir to the nation’s throne. Because Christ has the legal right to the Davidic Throne, He is the long awaited messiah. Interestingly, Matthew’s genealogy also include...

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