The Gospel of Matthew has some of the most familiar stories of Jesus’ life. From Jesus’ birth, to his Sermon on the Mount (“Blessed are the peacemakers…”), to his crucifixion—Matthew is a great study for beginners. It is also beautifully nuanced, with much to ponder even for those who have spent some time reading and thinking about the scriptures of the New Testament.
The author of Matthew probably enhanced the story of Jesus’ life as told in the Gospel of Mark. He adds a poetic structure, dividing the stories into blocks of discussion around Jesus’ major teachings. Using extensive use of Jewish scripture, the author argues that Jesus fulfills those scriptures’ promise of a messiah.
