The Gospel of Matthew

Context of the Gospel of Matthew

In imagining the context for the Gospel of Matthew, one is dependent on clues in the Gospel itself as well as on knowledge about the broader developments during the time referred to earlier. Clues in the Gospel are, firstly, the way in which Jesus's opponents are portrayed. In this Gospel, the Pharisees are not only portrayed as the main opponents of Jesus (cf Matt 5:20, 15:12-14 and especially ch 23); it is clear that they find themselves in a position of authority (cf the fact that they are mentioned together with the chief priests), which they held after the destruction of the temple in 70 CE. To this can be added that the Gospel contains clear signs of separation between Matthew's community and Israel, such as references to ‘their synagogues’ (Matt 4:23; 9:35; 10:17; 12:9; 13:54) and announcements that the kingdom is taken away from the Pharisees and chief priests (Matt 21:43; 22:1-14). There are, moreover, indications in the Gospel that Matthew was writing for a church (or a number of Christian communities) which had already developed into an institution with rules and a formal organisation. Of all the Gospels, the word church is used only in Matthew (16:18 and 18:17). The liturgical trend (cf its version of the Lord's Prayer with that of Luke) confirms the view that the Gospel of Matthew functioned in a formal, organised context.

From the survey made of developments within Judaism and early Christianity, it is obvious that, after the destruction of the temple in 70 CE, the Jewish community and religion had undergone substantial changes. These changes resulted in the Pharisees becoming the most influential party. During this period the Christian and Jewish religions gradually became more separated. The data in the Gospel referred to above indicate that such a situation is presupposed by Matthew. In a situation of estrangement between Jews and Christians, the church's position in respect of, and in relation to, the Jewish religion had to be spelt out. An explanation was needed for the fact that Christians no longer worshipped in the synagogue despite the fact that their religion had its roots in Judaism and that Jewish symbols, such as the law, were still important to them.