Because we spent so much time on the first chapter of Matthew's gospel, we are already falling behind the syllabus schedule. Our Tuesday class will be mostly discussion of Matthew 1-14, concentrating particularly on the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). Please review briefly these chapters before class.I will start Tuesday's class with an explanation Matthew's reference to the "Nazarene" prophecy that no one could seem to find last time. We'll then move on to more discussion of Matthew's use of scripture.
Remember that, when Matthew quotes a brief passage from the Old Testament, he wants to call into his readers' minds a much broader context, sometimes the preceding 5-30 verses or, sometimes the subsequent 5-30 verses.
Please look at a couple of the Matthew Old Testament references (the list below will give you a start), then look at the Old Testament context.below. Comment on that context: what ideas does Matthew want to bring to his readers' attention? In what ways are these ideas particularly important in Matthew's attempt to reach a Jewish audience?
- Matthew 2:17 citation of Jeremiah 31:15
- Matthew 1:23 citation of Isaiah 7:14
- Matthew 2: 6 citation of Micah 5:2
- Matt. 2:15 citation of Hosea 11:1
- Matt. 27:43 ref. to Psalm 22:8
- Matthew 4:4 citation of Deut. 8:3
- Matthew 3:17 hint of Psalm 2:7
- Matthew 4:16 reference to Isaiah 42:7
Rachel is considered to be the “mother of Israel” because she was the favored wife of Jacob (Genesis 29:28-30). In Jeremiah 31:15, her and all of Israel is weeping over the Babylonian captivity that Israel has been forced into. Matthew also tells us that Rachel weeps for the misfortunes of her people and the slaughterings of children as we see in Matthew 2:17.
ReplyDeleteThis is an important passage for the Jewish people of Jesus’s time because they were constantly hoping for a way to get out of captivity. From the days of Egypt to the days of Rome, Israel has been oppressed, and the promises of a savior for their people would not fall on deaf ears. I also find the verses in Matthew chapter 2 point to Mary when she’s at the foot of the cross (John 19:25). For a mother to see her son being crucified would certainly have brought much weeping and lamenting. Thankfully, we see words of comfort in Jeremiah 31:16-17; “there is hope for your future… your children shall come back to their own country”. There was hope in Matthew chapter 2 when the infant Jesus was not killed along with the other children of the time, and there was hope in Him saving Israel after He was nailed to the cross.
Nice job drawing connections from OT to NT!
DeleteIn Micah 5:2, it says that Bethlehem will bring a leader to Israel even though it is one of the smaller towns in Judah. Matthew wants his readers to understand even though Bethlehem is small, it will become a very important city because it will bring Jesus to lead the people of Israel. Matthew tries to reach his Jewish audience by stating that that Jesus' family line goes back into the ancient times, which is very important for Jewish people.
ReplyDeleteIn Matthew 3:17, Jesus is getting baptized and as he gets out of the water, God's voice is heard and He says that Jesus is His Son and God is very pleased. Matthew is getting across that Jesus is the Son of God and this is something that Matthew really wants to get across to the Jewish audience as well.
Matthew does whatever he can to tie the OT with the NT. He really wants his audience to understand what is going on.
DeleteIn Isaiah 7:14, the OT people were given a preview of the first Christmas by prophesizing about how "the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." This, of course, is referring to Mary and Jesus.
ReplyDeleteMatthew references this directly during the birth of Jesus, which is preceded by the lineage of the Jewish line from Abraham down. For the Jew reading this, this is to prove that the Savior is to come from their line. Also, the people mentioned in the lineage also show how the bloodline wasn't necessarily "pure".
In Matthew 4:16 Isaiah said," These people who live in darkness will see a great light." This means that Jesus will open their eyes towards God. Isaiah 42:7 is also the same. Matthew 3:17 and Psalm 2:7 both say God saying Jesus is his son and he is pleased with him.
ReplyDeleteThese ideas are important to the Jewish audience because it can make them switch to being a Christian. It is also important because they need to understand their bloodline is not pure.
I am going to write about the later verse in Matthew and in Psalms. Psalms 22:8 says "He trusts in the Lord,” they say, “let the Lord rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.”
ReplyDeleteMatthew 27:43 says "He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” Like so many other verses, Matthew is doing what he can to connect the Old Testament and the New Testament. Since his audience is predominantly Jewish, he needs to do this for effect.
Matthew is saying "look, it has been written that the Son of God will come and he will have the ability to ask God to relieve him from any pain and suffering. All he has to do is say the word and it will happen." It was written that this would happen and it is actually happening. Jesus was on the cross being crucified.