Matthew’s Christology Essay, Research Paper

Matthew?s Christology is one that emphasises to a Jewish audience the

Jewishness of Jesus. It will be the purpose of this paper to argue that the

raison d?etre of Matthew?s Christology is to portray Jesus as entirely

compatible if not with the Judaism of his day then with ancient Judaic

tradition, namely the Old Testament. Whilst there are numerous titles given to

Jesus that are exclusive/predominant within the Matthean account, such as that

of Son of God, it is the writer?s assertion that these merely complement

Matthew?s central theses; this being the portrayal of Jesus as Messiah and so,

as such, will not be investigated except where they promote this conclusion.

This fulfilment of Judaic tradition will be investigated in three separate yet

interrelated areas: Jesus as the fulfilment of Hebraic messianic expectation,

Jesus? role as a Jewish teacher and Jesus as inaugurator of God?s Kingdom.

Matthew is a Semitic gospel written as an encouragement to Jewish Christians and

as an apologetic to unbelieving Jews. From the outset Matthew identifies Jesus

as one of royal Davidic lineage and Abrahamic descent. Matthew immediately

identifies with Judaic tradition portraying Jesus with the Immanuel figure of

Isaiah 7:14 (1:23). This motif of the Jewishness of the gospel is especially

prevalent in its depiction of Jesus? role as the fulfilment of the Old

Testament?s messianic hope (2:4, 26:63) as well as running throughout the text

on varying levels. Perhaps one of the most interesting theories offered in

detailing this continuation between testaments is Leske?s proposal that

Jesus? role and ministry is antecedent to the Isaianic literature, and, in

particular, the Servant nation of Israel. Whilst a comprehensive critique of

Leske?s argument is outside the scope of this study, it would seem fair to

concur that Matthew does indeed identify Jesus with the Servant (cf. 3:17;

Isaiah 42:1). Consequently, we see in Matthew?s depiction of Jesus a

fundamental tenet of Israel?s theological history personified. Jesus is, as

the Messianic Servant, shown to be the fulfilment of further Isaianic prophecy,

that of the suffering Servant. Throughout Matthew?s gospel there are six

direct allusions to Isaiah 53 indicating a definite link and identification by

Matthew with this Israelite and Messianic hope. Further, Farmer suggests that

direct allusions notwithstanding in 20:20-28 and especially 26:26-30 Isaiah 53’s

redemptive hope is supposed to be fulfilled through Jesus? description of the

outcome of his crucifixion. Isaianic prophecy aside it is also clear that

Matthew above the other three evangelists presents Jesus as the fulfilment of

the law, a new Moses. The structure of the book into five sections is intended

to help the Jewish readers identify Jesus as an antecedent of Moses. Jesus is

according to some scholars a type of Moses bringing about a new exodus and a new

Israel. More explicitly however, Matthew portrays Jesus as the only man to have

fulfilled the law in its entirety as well as the messianic fulfilment of Old

Testament prophecy through the many formula quotations (3:15; 5:17-48;12:17-21;

13:35; 21:5, 16, 42; 22:44; 23:39; 26:31; 27:9, 35, 46). Judaism as a religion

placed great stress on the role of the rabbi or teacher, the concept of a

teacher having students/disciples is ancient, Elijah and Elisha being cited as

examples(1 Kings 19:19-21). In the Judaism of Matthew?s time such

relationships were symptomatic of the religious climate with the array of

schools of disciples that existed. It is not surprising then that Matthew in

addressing recent adherents to this religion should portray Jesus as a teacher

with his own band of disciples albeit a distinctive one. Whilst it must be noted

with France that in comparison with Mark Matthew uses the term rabbi

infrequently this should not be taken to mean Jesus as teacher is an

inappropriate title to Matthew. Clearly, Jesus is revealed as Messiah far more

explicitly than in the other synoptics but, Jesus nonetheless describes himself

as a rabbi (3:15; 5:17-48; 11:27; 13:10-17; 23:8) and others recognized his

similarity to other teachers and thus addressed him as such (8:19; 9:11; 12:38;

17:24; 19:16; 22:16, 24, 36). As teacher Jesus is portrayed as the revealer of

God?s will and Israel?s true teacher and as such one of the central motifs

of Matthew is Israel?s rejection of His teaching (cf. 11:1-12:50). In line

with many Old Testament prophets Jesus? teaching is rejected. (5:10-12;

24:14). Further, the parabolic teaching of Jesus which is emphasised in Matthew

is typical to rabbinic teaching of the day as well as the subjects used in these

parables. This familiarity in teaching is especially predominant in the Sermon

on the Mount. Matthew depicts Jesus as antecedent to Moses especially in regard

to its emphasis on ethical teaching. Further, the location on the mountain is

very reminiscent of Moses? unveiling of the law upon Sinai as well as Jesus?

active comparison of his teaching with that of Mosaic law (5:21, 31, 33, 38, 43)

in contrast to the Lucan account (Luke 6:27-35). What is clear is that Jesus is

presenting a teaching that while distinct is precedented from within the Mosaic

law itself and is thus seeking to affirm to the Semitic audience the

authenticity of his mission. One of the central features of Jesus? teaching as

Messiah is his stress on appropriating the teaching and not merely internalize

it. It is this very principle that Matthew portrays Jesus displaying in Jesus?

teaching on the Kingdom of God. Hebraic expectation of the Kingdom of God was

primarily teleological. The Kingdom of God was an apocalyptic hope. What is

characteristic of Jesus? ministry however is what has in recent years been

labelled realized or inaugurated eschatology, that is, the present reality of

the Kingdom in the temporal. Jesus? synopsis of His message is given in 4:17,

?Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!? and, in so doing Jesus is,

according to Keener, employing ?typical Jewish periphrasis for God? and

emphasising the cruciality of Jesus? ministry as bringing about the awaited

for the reign of God. This idea of the immanence of the kingdom is especially

paramount in Matthew more so than in any other gospel with its emphasis in the

parables of the kingdom. Jesus in these parables emphasises that while God?s

reign is not complete, in His followers the kingdom is present and expanding,

this is especially true of the parables of the mustard seed and the yeast. In

addition, Jesus is described not just as an emissary of the kingdom, the

kingdom-bringer. He is also shown to be the king Himself. Jesus is described as

being of royal lineage, He is the Son of David and the Son of Man Judaism was

anticipating. Such references would not be lost to the Jewish hearers, Jesus is

King of the Jews (26:64) and thus the king of the kingdom was present. This

motif in Matthew of the presence of the kingdom is exemplified in the way Jesus

is depicted as a miracle worker, one who is ushering the kingdom into physical

reality. Matthew depicts Jesus? miracles as evidence of this inauguration of

the kingdom (11:2-6; 12:28). As Son of David Jesus is shown to be bringing the

kingdom through his healings (9:32-34; 12:24). Perhaps the clearest example of

this inauguration of the kingdom through Jesus? actions is Matthew?s

description of the presence of the kingdom in the passion. The passion as the

means of forgiveness of sins and thus fulfilment of the prophetic kingdom hope

of Isaiah 53 is displayed to be a primary means of the inauguration of the

kingdom and an anticipation of the kingdom?s final consummation. Further,

Matthew portrays the resurrection in a typical Jewish apocalyptic linguistic.

The description of the angel?s descent, the earthquake and the fearful guards

makes 28:2-4 appear ?to recount the events of Easter morning as though they

were events of the last times?. Clearly then Matthew is reflecting, to an

extent, the intertestemental Jewish apocalyptic writings. So, to conclude, the

predominant theme of Matthew?s Christology is Jesus? continuance from Judaic

tradition and scripture. Jesus is shown to be the consummation of Mosaic law and

to be the Messianic figure from the prophets. This is notably true in regard to

Isaiah?s Servant songs, particularly the Suffering Servant, namely Isaiah 53.

Secondly, Jesus is shown to be a teacher, following many conventional rabbinic

customs. As a teacher He is shown to be antecedent to Moses particularly through

the Sermon on the Mount and thus while still a teacher one such as Israel had

never received before. Finally, Jesus? mission is, in 4:17 shown to bring

about the inauguration of the Kingdom of God on earth and thus fulfil Judaic

eschatological hope. In all of these areas Matthew is portraying Jesus to be the

Messiah Israel was anticipating, but, like other scriptural prophets one who

would be rejected by His own people.

Aland, Barbara and Aland, Kurt. ?Loci Citati Vel Allegati?, Nestle-Aland

Greek-English New Testament, 8th ed. Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft,

1994. Byrskog, Samual. Jesus the Only Teacher: Didactic Authority and

Transmission in Ancient Israel, Ancient Judaism and the Matthean Community,

Stockholm: Almqvist & Wiksell International, 1994. Carson, D A. Moo, Douglas

J and Morris, Leon. An Introduction to the New Testament, Grand Rapids:

Zondervan, 1992. Davies, W D and Allison, Jr, D C. A Critical and Exegetical

Commentary on the Gospel According to Saint Matthew I-VII, Edinburgh: T&T

Clark, 1988. Farmer, William R. ?Reflections on Isaiah 53 and Christian

Origins?, Jesus and the Suffering Servant: Isaiah 53 and Christian Origins,

ed. William.H.Bellinger and William.R.Farmer, Harrisburg: Trinity Press

International, 1998. France, R T. Matthew, Tyndale New Testament Commentary,

Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1986. . ?Matthew, Mark and Luke?, George.Eldon.Ladd.

A Theology of the New Testament, rev ed. Cambridge: Lutterworth, 1994. Gundry,

Robert H. A Survey of the New Testament, 3rd ed, Carlisle: Paternoster, 1994.

Hoekema, Anthony A. The Bible and the Future, Carlisle: Paternoster, 1994.

Keener, Craig S. The Spirit in the Gospels and Acts: Divine Purity and Power,

Peabody: Hendrickson, 1997. Ladd, George Eldon. A Theology of the New Testament,

rev ed. Cambridge: Lutterworth, 1994. LaSor, William Sanford et al. Old

Testament Survey: The Message, Form, and Background of the Old Testament, 2nd

ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1996. Leske, Adrian M. ?Isaiah and Matthew: The

Prophetic Infleuence in the First Gospel?, Jesus and the Suffering Servant:

Isaiah 53 and Christian Origins, ed. William.H.Bellinger and William.R.Farmer,

Harrisburg: Trinity Press International, 1998. McKnight, S. ?Matthew, Gospel

of?, Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels, ed. Joel.B.Green et al, Leicester:

IVP, 1992. Mounce, Robert H. Matthew, New International Biblical Commentary,

Carlisle: Paternoster, 1995. Nixon, R E. ?Matthew?, The New Bible Commentary

Revised, ed. D.Guthrie et al, London: IVP, 1970. Vos, Geerhardus. Biblical

Theology: Old and New Testaments, Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1975. Wright, N T.

Jesus and the Victory of God, London: SPCK, 1992.