the Third Week of Advent
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Bible Commentaries
Scofield's Reference Notes Scofield's Notes
Genealogy of Jesus; Birth of Christ.Chapter 2
Visit of the Magi; Flight to Egypt.Chapter 3
John the Baptist; Jesus' Baptism.Chapter 4
Temptation of Jesus; Beginning of Ministry.Chapter 5
Sermon on the Mount; Beatitudes.Chapter 6
Teachings on Prayer; Treasures in Heaven.Chapter 7
Judging Others; Narrow Gate; Wise Builders.Chapter 8
Miracles of Healing; Calm Sea.Chapter 9
Healing of Paralytic; Call of Matthew.Chapter 10
Mission of the Twelve Apostles; Instructions.Chapter 11
Jesus' Praise of John; Invitation to Rest.Chapter 12
Jesus' Authority; Sabbath Controversies; Parables.Chapter 13
Parables of the Kingdom; Explanation to Disciples.Chapter 14
Feeding the 5,000; Walking on Water.Chapter 15
Traditions Versus Commandments; Healing of Canaanite Woman's Daughter.Chapter 16
Peter's Confession; Jesus Predicts His Death.Chapter 17
Transfiguration; Healing of a Demon-Possessed Boy.Chapter 18
Teachings on Humility; Forgiveness; Church Discipline.Chapter 19
Teachings on Marriage; Rich Young Ruler.Chapter 20
Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard; Jesus' Prediction.Chapter 21
Triumphal Entry; Cleansing of the Temple.Chapter 22
Parables of the Wedding Banquet; Questions from Pharisees.Chapter 23
Woes to the Pharisees; Hypocrisy Denounced.Chapter 24
Olivet Discourse; Signs of the End Times.Chapter 25
Parables of the Ten Virgins; Talents; Judgment.Chapter 26
Plot to Kill Jesus; Last Supper; Gethsemane.Chapter 27
Jesus' Trial; Crucifixion; Death and Burial.Chapter 28
Resurrection; Great Commission; Jesus' Appearance.
- Matthew
by C.I. Scofield
Book Introduction - Matthew
Matthew 1:1
WRITER: The writer of the first Gospel, as all agree, was Matthew, called also Levi, a Jew of Galilee who had taken service as a tax-gatherer under the Roman oppressor. He was, therefore, one of the hated and ill-reputed publicans.
DATE: The date of Matthew has been much discussed, but no convincing reason has been given for the discrediting the traditional date of A.D. 37.
THEME: The scope and purpose of the book are indicated in the first verse. Matthew is the "book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham" (Matthew 1:1). This connects him at once with two of the most important of the Old Testament Covenants: the Davidic Covenant of kingship, and the Abrahamic Covenant of promise. ; 2 Samuel 7:8-16; Genesis 15:18.
Of Jesus Christ in that twofold character, then, Matthew writes. Following the order indicated in the first verse, he writes first of the King, the son of David; then of the Son of Abraham, obedient unto death, according to the Isaac type Genesis 22:1-18; Hebrews 11:17-19.
But the prominent character of Christ in Matthew is that of the covenanted King, David's "righteous Branch" Jeremiah 23:5; Jeremiah 33:15. Matthew records His genealogy; His birth in Bethlehem the city of David, according to Micah 5:2; Micah 5:2 the ministry of His forerunner according to Malachi Malachi 3:1. His rejection by Israel; and His predictions of His second coming in power and great glory.
Only then (Matthew 26-28) does Matthew turn to the earlier covenant, and record the sacrificial death of the son of Abraham.
This determines the purpose and structure of Matthew. It is peculiarly the Gospel for Israel; and, as flowing from the death of Christ, a Gospel for the whole world.
Matthew falls into three principal divisions:
- The manifestation to Israel and rejection of Jesus Christ the Son of David, born King of the Jews, Matthew 1:1-46. The subdivisions of this part are:
- The official genealogy and birth of the King, Matthew 1:1-25;
- The infancy and obscurity of the King, Matthew 2:1-23;
- The kingdom "at hand," Matthew 3:1-50 (the order of events of this subdivision is indicated in the text);
- The mysteries of the kingdom, Matthew 13:1-52;
- The ministry of the rejected King, Matthew 13:53-39;
- The promise of the King to return in power and great glory, Matthew 24:1-46.
- The sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of Abraham, Matthew 26:1-8.
- The risen Lord in ministry to His own, Matthew 28:9-20.
The events recorded in Matthew cover a period of 38 years (Ussher).
