Who Wrote This Book:  “Matthew,” who according to this Gospel is one of Jesus’ twelve disciples (see Matthew 9:9) is called “Levi” in Luke 5:27.

Date of Writing:  The precise date of the writing of Matthew's Gospel is not known but some scholars argue for a date later than the destruction of Jerusalem in ad 70.  Since Jesus alludes to this event in 24:1–28, it is traditionally dated to the late 50s or early 60s.

Matthew's gospel is placed first in the canon of the New Testament, not because it was written first (some of Paul's letters and the Gospel of Mark were written before) but because it is a bridge between the Old and New Testament. 

Gospel Written To:  Matthew’s gospel is an evangelistic tool directed toward his fellow Jews to persuade them that Jesus was their long awaited Messiah.  At the same time, the Gospel reveals clearly to Gentiles that salvation through Jesus the Messiah is available to all nations.

Value of the Gospel of Matthew:  The value of Matthew’s Gospel is the treatment he gives to Jesus’ words.  His record of the sermons and teachings provide much of the ethical theology for Christianity.  His focus on fulfilled prophecy is the evidence required for his target audience, the Jewish community in Jerusalem.  He adds much that is significant to Mark’s original Gospel.

Themes in the Gospel:  Matthew begins with the genealogy of Jesus.  He establishes the fact that Jesus is the son of David that the prophets foretold would come.  He lists 42 generations from Abraham through to Joseph, Jesus’ legal father.  Matthew traces the ancestry through the father whereas Luke’s genealogy traces it through Mary.

The Sermon on the Mount represents the heart of Jesus’ teaching and Matthew must have realized this.  He gives it prominence. 

Key Verses: 

Matthew 1:1-17   Genealogy of Jesus the Messiah.

Matthew 5:1-48    Sermon on the Mount