Matthew's Gospel: Themes and Teachings

This assignment provides a comprehensive analysis of Matthew's Gospel, examining its central themes such as the promise of rest for the weary soul, the importance of living righteously according to God's laws, and the revelation of Jesus as the Messiah. It explores how these teachings offer comfort, guidance, and hope to individuals seeking truth and meaning in life. The assignment utilizes biblical references and scholarly interpretations to illuminate the profound impact of Matthew's Gospel on Christian faith and understanding.

Running head: THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
The Gospel of Matthew
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The Gospel of Matthew gives a vivid account of the teachings of Jesus and it is considered the
fundamental doctrine in respect to Christianity. A large number of scholars hold the idea that the first
gospel of Mark was composed around the year 70. Scholars believe that the gospels of Matthew and Luke
were composed in 80s or in the 90’s. The written version of Mark’s gospels was held to be a source for
their narratives (Brown 2015). The two evangelists, Matthew and Luke had material that could not be
found in Mark so a large number of researchers think that it was the sayings of Jesus that was integrated
in the works. This was known as the “Q” source and it was put together somewhere in the 40’s. The
materials of Luke and Matthew bear similarity to each other however; the version of Luke is a scattered
version. Matthew has inserted these sayings in the place of the Marcan narrative where Jesus was
teaching people. These sayings were later organized to form a single sermon that was done by Matthew
(Clayton 2017).
There was a gap of 400 years between Old and New Testament when God was not
communicating with the Jews. The hope for Messiah was provided in the Old Testament. It was finally
accomplished with the appearance of Jesus Christ (Finegan 2014). Old Testament boasted of a Kingdom
of Heaven and Christ has emerged to fulfill the divine law. According to Christ, righteousness was the
crux upon which the earthly kingdom was based. Matthew’s gospel was addressed to Jews who were
waiting for hundred years for the Messiah to dawn on the face of the earth. The words of the Son of Man
provide relief for those who are weak and have a weary soul. These words provide support for all those
people who are in dire need of some assurance. The passage has an important bearing on the overall
structure of New Testament. People in the world suffer from restlessness and disappointment plagues
their soul. Jesus will provide us with peace in exchange of good work. Jesus provides rest to every sinner.
Christ takes away the sins of all those who go near him. He provides them respite from fear of law, hell,
devil and death. The blessings of Jesus would be endowed on those who work hard in the righteous path
and to those people who are laboring hard under Pharisaic enactments ( Kennedy 2014). Christ will

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provide them with such rest that will refresh their soul and they would feel rejuvenated to go back to
work.
The passage shows a divine penetration into the true condition of man. Pity is expressed in the
passage through soul-stirring lines. With a lot of compassion Jesus looks into the hearts of men. He sees
sorrow and suffering embedded in the souls of men and he is conscious of their mental tribulations and
turmoil in their soul. The words of this greater man were possessed of a kind of charm that can relieve the
human soul. In this world which is completely torn apart by suffering and violence, this man stands calm
who is waiting with outstretched hands to receive the complaints of humankind (Morgan 2017).The
savior mainly refers to Jews who had suffered under strict ceremonial laws. According to him, by
embracing Christianity they would be relieved of tiresome ceremonies and rites that have tormented their
soul. In the larger sphere, he was referring to the ruined sinner who is burdened with a heavy conscience
owing to his transgressions. His words would provide a release for all those who are shaking with terror
and looking for deliverance (Robertson 2014). Christ assures them not to worry and that they have hope
of salvation. He will provide them with freedom from the terror of inhumane laws. They will be granted
relief from eternal death (Smith 2016). Man not only has to work but also to bear the heavy burden of
sorrow in their daily existence. Thoughts that disturb mind while working further deteriorate our
condition and daily existence becomes extremely tiresome. Man has a relationship with God and also to
the almighty’s righteousness laws. Men toil continuously with great efforts and yet all that remains in the
end is a conscious realization of their flaws. A pure life will have to encounter both these aspects. The
major theme that is evoked in the passage is that of the merciful Jesus who speaks to everyone who have
labored in vain to gratify their conscience. These words have been addressed to the entire human race.
Faith and trust is evoked in the almighty’s appeal in these lines. Christ has granted freedom to men by
promulgating gospel (Keener, 2014).
The passage has been addressed to all those souls who have grown tired in their pursuit of truth.
These words can be alluded to the Greeks who had a notion that it was very difficult to reach god. For the

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Jews, religion was burdensome and involved unending series of rules. According to them, law was
composed of endless regulations and they controlled every action in the life of a person. They had
developed a slavish mentality and always groping for a voice that will dictate them. During Christ’s time,
the Pharisees imposed harsh rules and regulations on the commoners who had developed a slavish
mentality and used to listen to the words of the rulers. The Pharisees on the other hand indulged
themselves in a life of leisure and did not involve themselves in any action. Everyone looked upon Christ
for his or her deliverance and obeying the truth would grant them salvation. The Jews suffered under the
stringent laws and commandments. The yoke is symbolic and it evokes the image of plowing. The yoke
will help us in our spiritual struggle rather than acting as a hindrance (Keener 2014). God provides us
with burdens in order to strengthen our soul and make us mentally resilient. Common people because of
our love for the divine power abide by the commandments of God .The lord Jesus will help us in carrying
the burden.

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References:
Brown, Raymond E. An introduction to the New Testament. Yale University Press, 2015.
Clayton, Weatherford T. "Rock of Our Redeemer." BYU Speeches (2017).
Finegan, Jack. The archeology of the New Testament: the life of Jesus and the beginning of the early
church. Princeton University Press, 2014.
Keener, Craig S. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. InterVarsity Press, 2014.
Kennedy, George A. New Testament interpretation through rhetorical criticism. UNC Press Books, 2014.
Morgan, G. Campbell. The gospel according to Matthew. Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2017.
Robertson, Archibald Thomas. A grammar of the Greek New Testament in the light of historical research.
Ravenio Books, 2014.
Smith, Matthew J. "God's Idioms: Sermon Belief in Donne's London." English Literary Renaissance 46,
no. 1 (2016): 93-128.