STUDY GUIDE

Matthew
The purpose of this study guide is twofold:
1. 1. to provide guidelines for the lectures, which also serves as lecture notes.
2. 2. to be used for the purpose of preparation for the quiz/exam. Anything that is on
this study guide may be on the quiz/exam.

AUTHORSHIP:
Who is the author?
What is the evidence (external internal) for the authorship?

AUDIENCE
Who is the Audience?
What is the evidence for the audience?

DATE
What is the possible date?
What is the reason for this date?

WHY – PURPOSE
What is the purpose of this gospel?

Matthew 5:38-42 (video)

What is “Lex Talionis” law?
How does it fit into the context of Mat 5:21-48? How are these laws similar?
What is the meaning of this law? (action love)

CENTRAL THEME (Strauss)

What is the central theme of Matthew?
What are the five discourses in Matthew - need to be able to provide a list and also know
the chapters for each!
What is the style of writing?

JESUS IN MATTHEW (Strauss)

How is Jesus portrayed as: Messiah / Immanuel / Son of God?

OTHER CHARACTERS (Strauss)

Are the disciples in Matthew positive or negative?
Which of the disciples has a special role in Matthew?
What are the tree interpretations for “the rock” and who do you believe is “the rock” in
Matthew 16:18? Be able to explain these interpretations and also give arguments for
your understanding of this term.
How are religious leaders described in Matthew?

THEOLOGY (Strauss)
What does the technical term “salvation history” mean?
What is the relationship between Jesus and the Law in Matthew?

FEATURES (Leithart/Strauss)
What are some of the unique characteristics of Matthew in contrast to the other gospels?
(follow the terms bellow and be able to explain them)
-Jewish
-emphases on OT fulfillment / fulfillment formula
-OT law
-typology
-five discourses
-discourse/narrative alteration
-Messiah
-new Israel/Moses
-concise
-topical
-inclusio
-chiasmus / chiastic structure

KEY TERMS:
-look over all the key terms in Strauss at the end of the section on Matthew and
understand them