The Old Testament in the Gospel of Matthew

The Gospel of Matthew occupies a unique place in the New Testament, not only because it is the first Gospel but also because it is deeply rooted in the Old Testament. Written in the late first century, likely between 70-85 CE, Matthew's Gospel presents the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, with a special emphasis on how Jesus fulfills the promises and prophecies found in the Hebrew Scriptures. Matthew's Jewish heritage profoundly influences his Gospel, and his narrative is steeped in the language, concepts, and ideas of the Old Testament, with frequent references to its texts and prophetic messages. This book will explore the historical context of Matthew's Gospel, its relationship with the Old Testament, and how its themes illuminate Jesus' role as the Messiah in fulfillment of Jewish expectations.

Matthew's Gospel is often seen as the most "Jewish" of the four Gospels. Scholars believe it was written primarily for a Jewish-Christian audience, a group well-versed in the Hebrew Scriptures. The Gospel is filled with references to Old Testament texts, as Matthew seeks to demonstrate that Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. This is evident in the very structure of the Gospel, which is organized in such a way that echoes the structure of the Torah. Matthew arranges the teachings of Jesus into five major discourses, corresponding to the five books of the Torah (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy). This connection highlights Jesus as a new Moses, a leader who brings a new law to God's people.