VI. Matthew's Thoroughly Jewish Jesus

A. The Genealogy (Matt 1)

 

B. The King of the Jews (e.g., 2:1-18)

 

C. The Fulfiller of Scripture (e.g., 1:23 [cf. Isa 7:14]; 2:15 [cf. Hos 11:1]; 2:17-18 [cf. Jer 31:15])

 

D. A scene from "Jesus of Nazareth" the author of Matthew would love.

VII. Matthew's Mosaic Messiah

A. Jesus and Moses in the Synoptic Gospels

1. Jesus the Law Observant Jew (Matt 8:4/Mark 1:44/Luke 5:14)

 

2. Jesus the Colleague of Moses and Elijah (Matt 17:3ff./Mark 9:4ff./Luke 9:30ff.)

 

3. Jesus the Authoritative Interpreter of Moses

a. E.g., on Resurrection (Matt 22:31-32/Mark 12:26-27/Luke 20:37-38)

 

b. E.g.,

 

B. Jesus and Moses in Matthew

1.

 

2.

 

3. Five Books Allusion

a. Sermon on the Mount (5:1 - 7:28; 8:1)

b. Missionary Discourse (10:5 - 11:1)

c. Teaching in Parables (13:1-53)

d. Community Regulations (18:1 - 19:1)

e. Apocalyptic Discourse (24:3 - 26:1)

 

4. The Ten Plagues Allusion:

 

C. Matthew's Jesus as Authoritative Interpreter of Moses

1.

 

2. "Antitheses" or

a. On Murder and Anger (5:21-22)

b. On Adultery (5:27-30)

c. On Divorce (5:31-32)

d. On Oaths (5:33-37)

e. On Retaliation (5:38-42)

f. On Love of Enemies (5:43-48)

 

VIII. Matthew's Real Antitheses

A. You have heard it said that Jesus met friendly Scribes and Pharisees, but I say . . . (Matt 23; 27:62-66; cf. Mark 12:32-34; Luke 13:31)

 

B. You have heard it said that Jesus cut Kosher, but I say . . . (Mark 7:1-23/Matt 15:1-20; remember Matt 5:19)

 

C. You have heard it said that Jesus was interested in Gentiles, but I say . . . (10:1-6; cf. 18:15-20; Mark 7:24-30/Matt 15:21-28)

IX. Matthew and the Church

A.

 

B.

 

C. Implicit Critique of post-70 C.E. Rabbinic Judaism (23:8-10)

X. Conclusion: Matthew's Mosaic Messiah as Cornerstone of a Law observant Church

A. Affirmation of Torah through the Presentation of a Mosaic Messiah

 

B. Affirmation of Torah through an Implicit Critique of Law-less Pauline Christianity ("the least in the Kingdom of God")