Intro to Matthew and Mark

Matthew and Mark

I. Matthew
A. Author – Matthew the apostle
B. Date – 60-65 A.D.
C. Purpose
1. Apologetic



2. Catechetical - teaching manual



3. These two purposes merge



D. Structure and Content
1. The structure of Matthew’s gospel can by analyzed in two distinct
ways.
2. Like Mark’s gospel, the career of Jesus is given in broad strokes.


4:17 marks the beginning of the Galilean ministry and 16:21 traces the journey to Jerusalem
3. However, from another perspective, Matthew can be analyzed as a
teaching manual consisting of five parts. Each block of teaching material is concluded by the phrase, “And it came to pass when Jesus had finished all these sayings.” (7:28, 11:1, 13:53, 19:1, 26:1)
4. Thus, we have:
5:1 - 7:27: (Sermon on the Mount) Jesus’ teaching on the ethics of
the kingdom
10:1 – 42: Jesus’ teaching on mission
13: 1- 52: Parables of the kingdom. Nature of kingdom of God.
Redemptive history.
18:1-35: Discourse on church discipline
23:1 – 25:46: Olivet Discourse – teaching on eschatology

A comparison with the other gospels shows that the order of Matthew’s gospel diverges frequently from Mark and Luke.

5. This teaching emphasis of Matthew’s gospel can be seen by an
examination of the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18 – 20


E. Characteristics of Matthew
1. Matthew introduces some of his O.T. quotations with a special formula


2. In Matthew, the Davidic character of Jesus’ Messiahship is stressed.
3. Matthew alone of the Gospels records any specific teaching about the
church. 16:18ff 18:17ff



II. The Gospel of Mark
A. Author - John Mark (Acts 12:12, 25; 15:37), the nephew of Barnabas. He
has associations with Peter (I Peter 5:13)




B. Date – between 60-65 A.D. Earliest gospel. New literary form.
C. Purposes
1. Mark was writing to Gentile Christians in Rome and they has some
very specific and pressing needs.
2. First, there was a dangerous trend in the church which had cast
doubt upon the truly human character of Jesus.



3. Secondly, the Christians in Rome were beginning to suffer
persecution.
4. Therefore, Mark composes his gospel which emphasizes the true
humanity of Jesus.
5. In addition, Mark concentrates a great deal of attention upon the
death of Jesus.



6. Mark makes it clear that the proper reaction to Jesus is not
astonishment or acclamation as a miracle worker, but a faith which has at its core obedience and commitment.
7. This commitment means that the way of the master is the way of
the disciple. Thus, Mark’s gospel emphasizes the cost of discipleship.




D. Structure of Mark’s gospel
1. The key chapter is chapter 8 and the key verse is verse 29.