6.9

Distinctive Characteristics of Matthew’s Gospel

A. Matthew likes to organize.

B. There are five great speeches given by Jesus in Matthew’s Gospel.

C. Matthew likes pairs.

Double characters:

Double stories:

D. Matthew’s Gospel has a strong Jewish character.

E. Matthew’s Gospel also displays anti-Jewish Polemic.

Castigation of Israel’s religious leaders:

Statements favoring gentiles at the expense of Israel:

Responsibility for Jesus’s blood:

F. The fulfillment of prophecy is important.

Twelve “fulfillment citations” that state, “This happened to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet”: 1:22–23; 2:5–6; 2:15; 2:17–18; 2:23; 4:14–16; 8:17; 12:17–21; 13:14–15; 13:35; 21:4–5; 27:9–10 (cf. 3:3–4; 11:10; 15:7–9; 26:54, 56)

Numerous other prophecies fulfilled in Jesus:

Predictions by Jesus:

G. The law is important:

Questions about Jesus’s relationship to the law and the interpretation of the law recur.

H. Matthew’s Gospel presents an apocalyptic vision of the world.

I. Matthew is the only Gospel in which Jesus talks explicitly about the church.

J. Peter is important.

There are several references to Peter and stories about him found nowhere else.

K. The abiding presence of God/Jesus is important.