Swindoll's Living Insights Commentary Matthew 1a - Flipbook - Page 19
INTRODUCTION
would lead to the establishment of the church of baptized disciples
from all nations (8:10-12; 28:19-20). Nonetheless, Christ’s fulfillment of
the original kingdom promises to Israel would still one day be fulfilled
at His second coming (19:28; cf. 25:31).
Matthew develops his plot in two distinct parts: Chapters 1 through
15 address the identity of the King; chapters 16 through 28 address the
destiny and victory of the King. The scope of the crowd also shifts between chapters 15 and 16 from Jesus teaching the vast multitudes to
Jesus narrowing His focus to teach primarily the Twelve. In the first
half of the Gospel, Jesus’ popularity among the people increases; in the
second half, the hostility against Jesus rises. Geographically, the first
fifteen chapters emphasize Jesus’ ministry in Galilee; the second half
focuses on His ministry in Judea and especially Jerusalem.
The first half of Matthew’s Gospel, which will be the subject of the
present half volume, can be further divided into two parts.
Announcement and Arrival of the King (1:1–4:25). These opening chapters develop Jesus’ credentials and qualifications as the long-awaited
Messiah. His identity is demonstrated through His messianic genealogy
(1:1-17), the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and types related
to His birth and childhood (1:18–2:23), His baptismal consecration and
commissioning (3:1-17), His victory over the devil’s temptations (4:1-11),
His calling of disciples (4:12-22), and the commencement of His public
ministry (4:23-25).
Proclamation and Reception of the King (5:1–15:39). These eleven
chapters recount Jesus’ teaching, preaching, and miracles in inauguration and anticipation of His kingdom. This section includes the well-
known “Sermon on the Mount” (5:1–7:29), accounts of various miracles
(8:1–9:38), discourses on a number of practical, moral, and spiritual
themes amid growing controversy (10:1–12:50), the exposition of the
kingdom through parables (13:1-58), and additional miracles accompanied by greater resistance to Jesus’ teachings (14:1–15:39).
The second half of the Gospel of Matthew, chapters 16 through 28,
which chronicles the Opposition and Rejection of the King (16:1–25:46)
as well as the Passion and Triumph of the King (26:1–28:20), will be discussed in the second half volume of this commentary. Suffice it to say
that we have a lot of ground to cover in the first half of this Gospel before we examine the growing opposition to and rejection, crucifixion,
and resurrection of Jesus in the second half.
What a profound and powerful message to kick off the opening
pages of the New Testament! After four hundred years of prophetic
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