Matthew

By F. F. Bruce

The Gospel of Matthew, written for Jewish Christians, focuses on who Jesus is, why he came, and how he fits into God’s bigger purposes. Matthew shows that Jesus is the long-expected Messiah, the bringer of God’s kingdom. The most prominent feature of this gospel is the teaching of Jesus, which is arranged in five discourses that dominate the book’s structure.

This commentary is written by one of the most influential biblical scholars in recent times. F.F. Bruce’s writing is clear, illuminates the biblical text, and explains the cultural context of the Bible.
The Open Your Bible Commentary was written to encourage daily Bible study. Although each reading is short, the content is rich with careful explanation, devotional warmth, and practical relevance. Nearly 100 daily readings let you explore the Gospel of Matthew in depth.
The commentary on Matthew is introduced by an overview, summary, outline, key themes, and relevance of this gospel for today.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Aug 27, 2014
• ISBN: 9781909680296

F. F. Bruce

F. F. Bruce (1910-1990) was Rylands Professor of Biblical Criticism and Exegesis at the University of Manchester. Trained as a classicist, Bruce authored more than 50 books on the New Testament and served as the editor for the New International Commentary on the New Testament from 1962 until his death in 1990.

Book preview

THE OPEN YOUR BIBLE COMMENTARY

PAGE BY PAGE

Do you want to grow closer to God and stronger in your Christian faith?

There’s no better way to make that happen than frequent and regular reading of God’s Word.

The Open Your Bible Commentary was written to encourage your daily Bible reading. Each reading is short, but don’t let the brevity fool you! The content is rich with careful explanation, devotional warmth, and practical relevance to your life.

The Open Your Bible Commentary has four great strengths:

Accessible—it’s written for the average, thoughtful Christian without assuming a great deal of background, yet it is never superficial.

Digestible—it’s written so you can read a section or two a day, working your way through an entire book of the Bible in days or weeks.

Dependable—it’s written by an amazing group of scholars and trusted pastor-teachers. The list is like a Who’s Who of evangelical scholarship.

Practical—it’s a rich combination of specific application and encouragement to listen to God for guidance.

The Open Your Bible Commentary reveals the context of each chapter of the Bible, draws out the truth, and applies it to your daily life, enabling you to understand and appreciate what God is saying. It will help you to

Discover the content of the Bible

Understand the truths of the Bible

Apply the message of the Bible

The complete Open Your Bible Commentary is in two books, each containing nearly 1,000 daily readings.

Old Testament

Print edition, ISBN 978-1-909680-02-9

Ebook edition, ISBN 978-1-909680-22-7

New Testament

Print edition, ISBN 978-1-909680-03-6

Ebook edition, ISBN 978-1-909680-23-4

Or you can get smaller sections as ebooks

The Pentateuch (Genesis to Deuteronomy)

David F. Payne and Derek Kidner

ISBN 978-1-909680-24-1

The Historical Books (Joshua to Esther)

H.L. Ellison, I. Howard Marshall, and J. Stafford Wright

ISBN 978-1-909680-25-8

The Wisdom Books (Job to Song of Solomon)

J. Stafford Wright, H.L. Ellison, and Arthur E. Cundall

ISBN 978-1-909680-26-5

The Major Prophets (Isaiah to Daniel )

Arthur E. Cundall and J. Stafford Wright

ISBN 978-1-909680-27-2

The Minor Prophets (Hosea to Malachi)

John B. Taylor

ISBN 978-1-909680-28-9

Matthew, F.F. Bruce

ISBN 978-1-909680-29-6

Mark, I. Howard Marshall

ISBN 978-1-909680-30-2

Luke, E. M. Blaiklock

ISBN 978-1-909680-31-9

John, Robin E. Nixon

ISBN 978-1-909680-32-6

Acts, Ralph P. Martin

ISBN 978-1-909680-33-3

Romans, E. M. Blaiklock

ISBN 978-1-909680-34-0

1 & 2 Corinthians, Ralph P. Martin

ISBN 978-1-909680-35-7

The Shorter Letters of Paul (Galatians to Philemon), Ralph P. Martin, William L. Lane, and Leon Morris

ISBN 978-1-909680-36-4

Hebrews to Revelation, Leon Morris and H. L. Ellison

ISBN 978-1-909680-37-1

INTRODUCTION

As a Bible teacher and college principal, I am regularly asked for advice about which is the best resource for reading and understanding the Bible. Many of us may be familiar with the Gospels, and perhaps Paul’s epistles. But we may become a little more vague when trying to work out what Leviticus or Zephaniah has to do with either Jesus or being a twenty-first-century Christian. Well, here you will find help and guidance from trusted scholars on how to hear and correctly handle the very words of God. The Open Your Bible Commentary has four great strengths:

Accessible. These studies address the average, thoughtful Christian without assuming a great deal of background information, yet they are never superficial. After all, the Lord Jesus commanded his apostles to feed his lambs and sheep and not his giraffes! In other words, this book is an excellent teaching tool.

Digestible. No study section is overly long. The assumption is that we can read through a section or two a day without getting indigestion. However, the little and often approach means we can systematically work our way through a whole book over a number of days or weeks. One writer who worked on a commentary on Isaiah for some thirty years said he felt like a very small mouse trying to digest a very large and extremely succulent cheese. Well, here you can enjoy every mouthful of every Bible book!

Dependable. A team of internationally renowned theologians, Bible scholars and experienced pastor-teachers has written these studies. You are in safe hands as you read their contributions.

Practical. Sometimes, preachers are in danger of being too general in applying Scripture. The result is that the hearers can feel perpetually guilty to pray more, read more, give more and witness more than they do. One of the benefits of these studies is the diversity and subtlety of the applications suggested. Sometimes, things are clearly spelt out; other times, one is left to ponder for oneself. What shall I do, Lord? (Acts 22:10) is always a fitting response when I meet the Risen Lord.

As a very young Christian, I was first introduced to this amazing series through a recommendation from a pastor who simply said that the money he had paid for the study guide on Psalms was the best he had ever spent! How right he was! Come and enjoy!

Dr Steve Brady

Moorlands College

Christchurch, UK

AUTHORS

F. F. Bruce, dean of evangelical scholars, head of Department of Biblical History and Literature at the University of Sheffield and Rylands Professor of Biblical Criticism at University of Manchester

With introductory articles by

Harold H. Rowdon, teacher at London Bible College and historian

Donald Guthrie, lecturer at London Bible College, and New Testament scholar. He wrote numerous books including New Testament Introduction and New Testament Theology.

Pieter Lalleman, tutor and Academic Dean at Spurgeon’s College

CONTENTS

Introduction

Authors

Reviser’s Introduction

Abbreviations

The World of the New Testament

The World of the New Testament Map

Matthew

The Be-Attitudes

Palestine in the New Testament Times

Jerusalem in Jesus’ Time

Jesus’ Life and Ministry

Jesus’ Last Week

The Teaching of the Gospels & Acts

Commentary

Miracles of Jesus Christ

Parables of Jesus Christ

Prayers of Jesus Christ

Thank You, Scripture Union

Copyright

More ebooks to help you

REVISER’S INTRODUCTION

These studies are a sensitively edited version of Bible Study books originally published by Scripture Union. The intention of that series was to encourage the daily study of the Bible at greater depth than was possible with Bible Study notes. This allowed fuller discussion of introductory, textual and background material, whilst still aiming at devotional warmth, sound exegesis and relevance to daily life.

The authors of the original studies were given a liberty of approach within the general scope of the series. This provides for a certain variation which it is hoped will prove stimulating rather than disconcerting. All authors are united within the circle of conservative evangelical scholarship.

This text may be used with the New International Version (NIV), the English Standard Version (ESV), or indeed with any version of the Bible.

The principal aim of these studies is to stimulate daily Bible study as an aid to personal devotion and application to life in the firm belief that All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NIV).

Martin H. Manser

In this ebook, which is a section from The Open Your Bible Commentary, we have added book introductions, maps, and other material from The Bible Book by Book.

ABBREVIATIONS

Bible versions referred to in this book

ESV – English Standard Version

GNT – Good News Translation

JBP – J.B. Phillips New Testament in Modern English

KJV – King James Version (Authorized) 1611

NASB – New American Standard Bible

NCV – New Century Version

NEB – New English Bible

NIRV – New International Reader’s Version

NIV – New International Version

NJB – New Jerusalem Bible

NKJV – New King James Version

NLT – New Living Translation

NRSV – New Revised Standard Version

RSV – Revised Standard Version

RV – Revised Version (1885)

TM – The Message

Standard Abbreviations

c. – (circa) about

eg – for example

f. – verse following

ff. – verses following

Gk. – Greek

Heb. – Hebrew

ie – that is

LXX – Septuagint (Greek Version of the O.T.)

p. – page

pp. – pages

THE WORLD OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

HAROLD H. ROWDON

The World of the New Testament was not the geographical world, but the Roman world, an enormous area stretching from Spain all the way around the Mediterranean Sea to North Africa. Its supreme ruler was the emperor. Technically he was no more than first citizen, but his power was supreme. He was commander-in-chief of the armed forces, his instructions acquired the force of law and he possessed powers which gave him the right of legal veto and jurisdiction to hear appeals.

The Roman empire consisted of some forty provinces which fell into two categories. Those which were situated in frontier or unsettled areas were under the authority of the emperor. They were governed by senatorial legates with the title of pro-praetor, or by nobles who were known as prefects or procurators. All were directly responsible to the emperor. More settled provinces were ruled by proconsuls appointed by, and responsible to, the Roman senate. This was an old established institution going back to Rome’s republican days which still retained some power under the empire.

The Roman world was plentifully supplied with cities. Many of them had been founded in the days of the Greek empire. They served as centers of government and administration, contained lavish provision for recreation and social communication, light industry and trade, and provided a kind of focus for the surrounding countryside. In some ways they were rather like English market towns. They contained many voluntary associations, or guilds, which brought together people with common interests in matters of business or social life. The banquets held by such associations, like the general civic festivals, contained religious overtones and created problems of conscience for Christians. Citizenship of a notable city was a source of special pride. The holding of municipal office might carry with it Roman citizenship. This was also given in recognition of outstanding services to the empire, and might be purchased.

Some cities which were formed by settlements of Roman citizens, often discharged soldiers, were known as coloniae. Others, which had been free cities before they were incorporated into the Roman empire, were allowed to retain their independent status, and were termed municipiae.

Radiating from the city of Rome was a superb system of roads which was better than anything before or since till the eighteenth century. Built for military purposes, they were maintained at the public expense and provided a unique system of communications – even if the motive power was only horsepower! Travel by sea was also relatively easy, because the Mediterranean had been almost entirely cleared of pirates. Navigational aids were few, however, and it was necessary to sail very close to the coast. Travel by sea was hazardous in bad weather and impossible in winter.

Judea had been incorporated into the Roman empire during the first century BC. Herod, son of Antipater, an Idumean who had been appointed procurator by Julius Caesar, ingratiated himself with Rome and was given the title of King of Judea. He tried to secure Jewish support by marrying Mariamne, heiress of the Jewish priestly house, and by rebuilding the temple on a magnificent scale. But he also built a temple to Augustus in Samaria and founded the city of Caesarea in honor of Caesar. He created a new nobility of royal officials, and there emerged among the Jews a party of Herodians.

On Herod’s death in 4 BC, the three of his sons who had survived the murderous intrigues of his reign succeeded to his domain. Philip ruled the area northeast of Galilee. Herod Antipas became tetrarch of Galilee, with Perea, east of the river Jordan. He built Tiberias in honor of the Roman emperor of that name, but lived as a practicing Jew and even showed some regard for John the Baptist. Antipas was married to the daughter of Aretas, king of Nabatea, but this did not deter him from forming a liaison with Herodias, who was daughter of one of his half-brothers and wife of another. On the death of the emperor Tiberius, Antipas petitioned Caligula, his successor, for the title of king. Instead, he was banished on the ground of treasonable charges that had been brought against him by his nephew, Herod Agrippa I, who was rewarded by being given the territory ruled by Antipas.

Judea and Samaria, the greater part of Herod the Great’s kingdom, went to his son Archelaus. He proved a thoroughly incompetent and unpopular ruler who managed to clear himself from one set of charges by a personal visit to Rome, but was eventually deposed in AD 6.

After that date, Judea was placed under the control of a succession of Roman procurators responsible to the emperor, except the years AD 41–44 when almost all the territory once ruled by Herod the Great was entrusted to Herod Agrippa I. He made a bid for Jewish support by persecuting the Christians, until his sudden death, recorded in Acts 12. The procurators, of whom Pontius Pilate was one (AD 26–36), resided in Caesarea, but in times of potential unrest, such as the Jewish feasts, made their headquarters in Jerusalem. They commanded a standing army of 3,000 men who were recruited from the non-Jewish sector of the population. One cohort was stationed in Jerusalem in the castle of Antonia which had been built by Herod and overlooked the temple. The procurator was responsible for taxation as well as law and order, but in general the Jews were self-governing.

Judaism was not confined to Palestine. Far from it: from the time of the Old Testament exiles, the Jews had become widely dispersed in the ancient world. In the first century AD there were probably more Jews outside Palestine than within it. In some cities they constituted a sizable proportion of the population. The Jews of the dispersion practiced their religion, though in a modified form. Synagogue worship, with its prayers to Jehovah, Scripture reading and exposition, and lofty moral teaching, attracted numerous Gentiles. Those who did not become Jewish proselytes – and they were many – often proved receptive to the Christian message.

The ancient world was exceedingly religious. As a topic of conversation, religion was an excellent starter! It pervaded every aspect of life, political, social and family as well as personal. It was like cement which did almost as much to bind together a heterogeneous empire as the military power of Rome.

State religion was polytheistic, and often purely formal. It was concerned with retaining the favor of the gods by showing them due honor. Since first-century religion was essentially syncretistic,