Matthew Study Notes, Sessions One, Two, & Three
Matthew Study Notes Introduction
The following are notes on the questions, thought it cannot be stressed enough that, though there is often consensus of thought in commentaries, God’s word is living and active (Hebrews 4:12). Therefore, these thoughts are written for your consideration, however, are incomplete at best. May God guide the thoughts and discussions of us all as well study his word in Matthew.
In study and preparation of the material for questions and these notes, the following have been invaluable sources:
NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible (2016), Zondervan
Biblehub.com
IVP New Testament Commentary Series (access through Biblegateway.com)
Matthew Henry’s Commentary (access through Biblegateway.com)
Biblestudytools.com
Studylight.org
Session 1: Matthew 1-2
Reading Questions
1. The genealogy perhaps emphasizes the adoption to sonship that Paul writes of in Galatians 4:4-5, ‘But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.’ Joseph takes the boy Jesus as his own, including the rights and privileges associated with that. God does the same to us, making us co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17).
2. The women listed are all Gentile women. Each of their stories are included in the Old Testament, and frankly, are all full of hardship. The women demonstrate many fine characteristics and yet also each trusted God in meeting their needs. Their inclusion points toward the inclusion of all races in the plans of redemption.
5. In much of the Old Testament, God spoke directly or sent a messenger to those listed. He did speak in dreams to Joseph; however, they were more prophetic than instructional dreams. God also often held conversations with the OT fathers, where here God responded to the thoughts of Joseph.
OT Links
2) Micah 5: Though Israel is brought low, struck on the cheek, the weakest and lowliest are not excluded from triumph. Each of these juxtapositions has come to be with the reign of Jesus. God demonstrates how much He values each, from the smallest or youngest, all of His people.
3) Hosea 11: Discussion may include freedom from bondage, baptism and the crossing of the Red Sea, provision (manna, pigeons) provided by God, that provided through Jesus, riches provided when leaving Egypt, riches offered by Jesus, the love of God toward the Israelites and Jesus’s also.
4) Jeremiah 31:1-34 offers hope in that God gathers those who have been lost to us. It is especially heartening in that He gathers the babes to him. The passage points to the Hope who is come.
Session Two: Matthew 3-4
Reading Questions
2) Righteousness is defined as ‘approved by God’ or what is deemed right by Him.
3) Discussion may consider the title Satan gives Jesus, the use of Old Testament verses in responses, Satan come and took Jesus to different places, Satan uses the OT in twisted ways in each of the challenges (bread-manna (Deut 8:3-5), fall – jump (Ps 91:11-12), dissatisfaction with God’s provision – trusting in and obeying Him (Deut 6:15-18)).
OT Links
1. The psalm gives the fearsome picture of one who rules while also calling for repentance form the nations, while the Isaiah passage describes the anointed one who guides those who follow Him. The disposition of this ruler is different according to how the people respond to and treat him.
2. Though no mercy seems available for those who are wicked, there is always the choice to follow the word of God and his precepts.
3. The inclusion of Gentiles in the verses may have only been there to confirm the Messiah’s coming; that Jesus is the Messiah. Discussion may also include that it was an anticipation of what was to be expected or to welcome, as the opening genealogy did, those who are of other races and expand the audience of the book.
Session Three: Matthew 5
Reading Questions
1. The beatitudes include a number of words which have lost some of the original meaning. Provided below are generally accepted Biblical definitions of key words to assist in discussion:
Blessed – not only happy, but those who receive God’s blessings and grace in great measure
Poor in spirit – emptied of self so to be filled with Christ
Mourn – mourning a death or end of a relationship, mourning our sin/grieved by sin
Meek – ‘Meekness does not identify the weak but more precisely the strong who have been placed in a position of weakness where they persevere without giving up. The use of the Greek word when applied to animals makes this clear, for it means "tame" when applied to wild animals. In other words, such animals have not lost their strength but have learned to control the destructive instincts that prevent them from living in harmony with others.’ (a)
Righteousness – hungering for the justice/right-ness of and through Christ, not worldly justice
Merciful – to care for the poor and indigent of spirit, body and mind; to help others in time of need
Pure of heart – cleansed by Christ and so free of sin, remembering that what overflows of the heart is what the mouth speaks, or the mind thinks
Peacemakers – insofar as possible, we maintain peaceable relations with man; more so the Greek word was generally used to refer to an ambassador. In this light, it seems there is also an idea that we are to bring God’s peace to people, that is proclaim the Gospel to others.
Persecuted – by our own suffering from difficult choices (turn father against brother, etc) or from choosing right when others prefer wrong
OT Links
These links describe the law in such a way that includes kindness and consideration of others, as well as accountability for words and actions to God if not others. Many characteristics and objectives may be the fruit of thought on these verses.
(a) https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/meekness/
