North Charlottesville church of Christ

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Class 1 - Overview of the Book of Matthew

Martin Adams
03/16/25 - Sun AM

Series: The Book of Matthew

Meeting Purpose

To introduce the Gospel of Matthew and its unique approach to presenting Jesus as the Messiah to a Jewish audience.

Key Takeaways

• Matthew uses a structured approach with 10 "proofs" to demonstrate Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies

• The book's organization parallels the Pentateuch (first 5 books of Moses) in its opening chapters

• Matthew employs transitional phrases and literary devices to guide readers through Jesus' life and ministry

• The genealogy in Matthew 1 strategically includes unexpected characters to relate Jesus to all Jews

Topics

Matthew's Unique Approach

• Written primarily for a Jewish audience to prove Jesus as the Messiah

• Uses "that it might be fulfilled" phrases to connect Jesus to Old Testament prophecies

• Employs a structured system of 10 proofs throughout the book

Structural Parallels to the Pentateuch

• Matthew's first 5 chapters mirror themes from Genesis through Deuteronomy

• This approach would resonate with Jewish readers familiar with the Torah

Transitional Phrases and Literary Devices

• Matthew uses repeated phrases like "When Jesus had finished..." to segment the narrative

• These transitions create a sense of progression and keep readers engaged

Genealogy and Cultural Relevance

• Includes unexpected characters (e.g., Tamar, Rahab) in Jesus' lineage

• Demonstrates Jesus' connection to Jewish history while also being relatable

Next Steps

• Continue studying Matthew's introductory material

• Examine the book's overall structure in more detail

• Begin in-depth analysis of Matthew chapter 1 in the next session