Matthew (or Levi) is a
Jewish tax collector in first-century Capernaum. He’s been working every day,
making money, and keeping his routine. But all that changes. Jesus says,
“Follow Me!” He hosts a dinner for Jesus in his home, inviting other sinners to
come. Through his Spirit-inspired account, we get to meet Jesus, too.
Click on the "Matthew"
label for other posts in this series.
Sources include the Truth
for Today Commentary, various Bible dictionaries, etc.
1:1-17 The Genealogy
of Jesus the Messianic
King
Why do people care
about their DNA and lineage?
1:1 Why “son of David”
and “son of Abraham?”
Who are the surprising
characters in Jesus’ line?
Tamar: scorned,
cheated, tricky. Ge 38:6-30
Rahab: Canaanite
prostitute. Jo 2:1-21
Ruth: Moabite
dtr-in-law of Naomi. Ru 1-4
Bathsheba: sinfully
taken by David. 2 Sa 11-12
Manasseh: Judah’s most
sinful king of all. 2 Kg 21
Mary: a poor,
unmarried, virgin teenage girl.
What do you know about
others in this list?
What does this list
prove about God, history, people, and choices and consequences?
Why did God wait so
long to send Jesus? Ga 4:4
Discuss the 3 sections
and the 14-14-14.
Why might Matthew have
omitted some ancestors?
1:18-25 The Conception
and Birth
of Jesus the Messianic
King
Betrothal: one-year
binding engage’ pre-marriage.
Joseph: genuine
conviction + true compassion.
Lk 1:26-38 Gabriel is
sent to Mary.
Here, an angel is also
sent to Joseph.
Jesus = OT Joshua,
“Yahweh is salvation.”
Immanuel = “with us,
God” (El).
“This happened to
fulfill …” 19 times in Matt.
Isa 7:14 – The
prophet’s telescope.
Joseph “knew her not”
--- until. 13:55-56; Lk 2:7
How do many people overrate
Mary, and why?
“Hail Mary”. Mediator,
redeemer. Statues. Churches.
What and why:
“Immaculate Conception?”
Mary’s “perpetual
virginity.”
At the same time, why
must we not underrate her?
Why is Joseph’s
obedience so vital as well?
Why would many today
advise abortion for Mary?
Why would Joseph and
Mary not get an abortion?
What if they had?
2:1-12 The Magi’s
Worship
of Jesus the Messianic
King
Magi: priestly
advisers, astrologers, wise men. Perhaps sorcerers or magicians.
Acts 13:6, 8
The east: Arabia,
Persia, Chaldea, Parthia, etc.
Irony: divine use of
astrology. God rules the stars.
Star: [1] Junction of
Jupiter and Saturn (Johannes Kepler, 1571-1630)? [2] New star (Karl Wieseler,
1813-1883) or [3] Comet in 5 BC, visible for 70 days Colin Humphreys), noted in
Chinese records? [4] Halley’s comet? [5] Meteor? [6] Miracle-made?
Worship: 13x in Matt.
2:2, 8, 11; 4:9, 10; 8:2; 9:18; 14:33; 15:25; 18:26; 20:20; 28:9, 17.
Place? Bethlehem!
Scribes knew! Mic 5:2; Jn 7:42
6 mi. S of Jerusalem.
“House of bread.” Where Rachel died, Boaz and Ruth met, David was born.
Herod’s hypocrisy:
“That I may worship him.”
2:9 Star –
miracle-made; “stood over the place.”
Jesus: child (not
newborn), in house (not manger).
Gold; frankincense
(“pure incense”) – resin or gum with sweet fragrance, from southern Arabia;
myrrh – also resin or gum, used as scent for beds and garments, ointment for
the dead, and anesthetic.
“Myth Busters”
We do not know …
The date, month,
season, and year of Jesus’ birth.
The number of the wise
men.
Their names. Tradition
made them up! Gaspar, Melchior, Balthazar.
No biblical authority …
December 25 as the
celebrated date of His birth.
Other “holy days” on
today’s religious calendars.
Not present …
The magi were not at
the manger with the shepherds at Jesus’ birth.
Their visit came
later, when Jesus was a child in a house.
Irony …
Poverty, squalor,
filth, and animal stuff present.
Herod the Great, Ruled
37-4 BC
Eldest son of
Antipater.
Idumean (Edomite).
Ruled Galilee, then Judea.
Loyal to Rome; art
patron, expanded temple area.
Centralized gov’t,
fortresses, and foreign soldiers.
Cruel fighter, cunning
negotiator, subtle diplomat.
Proud, greedy, and a
ruthless murderer.
Murdered his wife
Mariamne and two of his sons.
Paranoid. Insecure.
Afraid of threats to his throne.
Killed all male
infants if legal heirs to the throne.
Matt 2:16 The
slaughter of male children fits.
2:13-23 The Escape
from King Herod
of Jesus the Messianic
King
Angel’s 2nd message to
Joseph: “Flee to Egypt!”
Hos 11:1. “My son” –
OT Israel, NT Jesus.
Jer 31:15. OT:
Babylon. NT: Herod’s attack.
Death of Herod the
Great: 4 BC.
Angel’s 3rd message to
Joseph: “Go to Israel!”
Fear of Archelaus,
with good reason!
4th message (dream) –
“Go to Galilee!”
Prophets: “He shall be
called a Nazarene.”
Perhaps a play on word
netser, “branch.” Is 11:1
Explains: born in
Bethlehem, raised in Nazareth.
Herod Archelaus, Ruled
4 BC – AD 6
Son, prime successor
of Herod the Great.
Brother of Herod
Antipas (killed John, tried Jesus).
Augustus gave him half
his father’s land, split the rest between Antipas and Philip (tetrarch, 1/4).
Ethnarch over Idumea,
Judea, and Samaria.
Interfered in the high
priesthood. Married against Jewish law. Brutally oppressed Samaritans, Jews.
In revolt the people
sent deputations to Caesar to have Archelaus denounced. His rule was ended in
A.D. 6 when the Roman government banished him to Gaul and added his territory
to Syria.
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