Notes on the gospel of Matthew
Matthew 1:1-16 This is the genealogy of Joseph, who had Jewish credentials. Jesus has divine credentials, but this was the only way to achieve God with us.
Matthew 1:6 Bathsheba is not named.
Matthew 1:23 quotes Isaiah 7:14. Other nearby verses
- Isaiah 7:9 If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.
- Isaiah 7:18 parallelisms. Flues from the Nile and bees from the land of Assyria: Matthew 2:13 (the trip to Egypt) and Matthew 2:1 (wise men from the east).
Matthew 1:18-21 Descent and rebirth are more important and effective than generations of kings and others for bringing God’s kingdom on earth.
August 31, 2025 Matthew 2
Matthew 2:6 quotes Micah 5:2&4
- Micah 5:2 mentions ancient and eternal origins
- Micah 5:3 the end of the diaspora
- Micah 5:4 shepherding the strength & majesty of God, and worldwide evangelism
Matthew 2:10-11 The joy of Christmas always centers on the worship of God
Matthew 2:15 quotes part of Hosea 11:1
- First line refers to God’s unrequited love for Israel in the Exodus
- Second line prefigures Jesus who was delivered from sin (Egypt) before He had to deal with it.
Matthew 2:18 quotes Jeremiah 31:15 - Ramah is about 5 miles north of Bethlehem.
Matthew 2:23 most likely cites Isaiah 11:1 in a Hebrew pun. Jesus was the righteous branch (Hebrew neser). But it could also implicitly cite Isaiah 53:3 that Jesus would be despised, as Nazareth was a poor, backwater town who was looked down on by the big city elites. Or maybe both.
September 1, 2025 Matthew 3
Matthew 3:3 quotes Isaiah 40:3. Many verses in Isaiah 40 are relevant to the ministry and life of Jesus
- Isaiah 40:8 The word of God abides forever
- Isaiah 40:9 Good news for Israel
- Isaiah 40:11 He shepherds the flock
Matthew 3:7 John’s kind warnings to the Pharisees were repeated by Jesus in 12:34 & 23:33
Matthew 3:13-15 Did Jesus’ baptism prefigure His bearing our sins on the cross?
Matthew 3:13-17 Three aspects of a new ruler: a royal procession (from Nazareth to the Jordan); a ritual cleansing; a coronation by the Holy Spirit, with the crowning declaration of a beloved Son with whom the Father is pleased. These signify a new King who reconciles holiness and love.
Matthew 3:16-17: The Trinity are all present for this coronation: YHWH ABBA, Yeshua HaMashiach, and Ruach HaKodesh. Imagine a Hallmark movie like this! The new king goes to find His bride.
September 2, 2025 Matthew 4
Matthew 4:1-11 is the proof-test of Jesus’ character as the Son of the Father (3:17). We too are tested according to our calling.
Matthew 4:4 Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 8:3 in which Moses recounted the lessons from 40 years of manna, but Jesus did 40 days of fasting. He did not need to repeat the lesson the Israelites needed 40 years to learn 1,600 years earlier. He knew it.
Matthew 4:6 in quoting Psalm 91:11-12, the devil ignored the context of Psalm 91:1-2, and the specific condition of Psalm 91:9. Jesus had made God His refuge, but in being a Son, he would not respond to that care with presumption and testing His Father’s love.
Matthew 4:7 Deuteronomy 6:16 followed Deuteronomy 6:13-14, which speaks to fearing YHWH and not following other gods which Jesus points out in Matthew 4:10.
Matthew 4:10 worship in adversity is the ultimate demonstration of our faith. Of Jesus’ three responses to Satan, this is the only reference to the Ten Commandments. Matthew 4:4&7 are from the Pentateuch but not the big ten. We need to know all Scripture, not just select verses.
Matthew 4:15-16 Isaiah 9:1-2 follows the gloom of those who consult mediums (Isaiah 5:9) and precedes Isaiah 9:6-7 …unto us a son is given, the government will be on His shoulders.
Matthew 4:16 Jesus fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy about gentiles at the very start of His ministry.
Matthew 4:17 Repent means to change your way of life, not just feel bad about it.
Matthew 4:18-22 Somehow Jesus knew which fishermen would flourish fishing for men.
Matthew 4:23-25 Jesus preached the kingdom of God, but the masses came for miracles of healing. Maybe some listened and repented. When Jesus saw the crowds coming for physical healing, He knew they needed spiritual healing. Hence, the Sermon on the Mount.
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