Comments on the Book of Matthew

Matthew (“Gift of Jehovah”), the first book of the New Testament, is necessarily written from a Jewish point of view, and preserves admirable continuity with the Old Testament. It presents
the Lord Jesus Christ as the long looked for Messiah of Israel; His genealogy therefore is traced to David and Abraham. This genealogy is that of Joseph, therefore establishing offi cial title to the throne. The Gospel of Matthew marks a most striking and complete change in the dispensational ways of God; for the Christ, the true King, has come and has in fact returned to heaven. Consistently with this, we must expect Matthew to insist upon thorough subjection and obedience to the sovereign authority of the Lord Jesus not to law, but to One higher than law. “Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me.” Emphasis therefore is
placed upon works, works of faith, of course; because authority (not grace, as in Luke) is Matthew’s great subject. How good if such lessons implant themselves deeply in our hearts.