I've been looking through a couple of commentaries. Do you have a favourite series? I really like the NIV Application Commentary but haven't got that one for Matthew - yet. So far the ones I've used have been:
The New American Commentary: An Exegetical and Theological Exposition of Holy Scripture. NIV Text. by Craig L. Blomberg c1992
The Expositor's Bible Commentary - Volume 8 - D.A. Carson c1984
The Message of Matthew: The Kingdom of heaven by Michael Green from "The Bible Speaks today" commentary with N.T. series editor John Stott c2000.
Everyman's Bible Commentary: Matthew by Arthur Robertson c1983
Some of the interesting things I've come across so far ...
The word 'genaelogy' (which I am struggling to spell correctly each time!!) has its origin in the word 'genesis' meaning: 'origin' or 'history' and is found only twice in the Old Testament (Gen. 2:4 refering to the creation account, Gen. 2:4-25 a genealogy). The first two chapters of Matthew provide the origin of Jesus ... the basis for all that will follow. Matthew includes the list of names to show where Jesus has come from - to validate his point that this person is from a pure line and therefore worthy of being hailed the saviour.
The genaelogy is divided into 3 groups of, on average, 14 names. The names don't necessarily represent the only generations within that time span. There were probably more relatives in the list not included. The Hebrew name "David" contains 14consonants and Blomberg states that this is perhaps the reason for the 14 names.
The genaeology focuses on a. the time of Abraham, to highlight Jesus' link and fulfillment of the prophecy that Abraham would be the father of all nations, b. the time of David and the kings, to prove that Jesus was the fulfillment of the Davidic prophecy that the saviour would come from David's line, c. the time after the Babylonian invasion, which leads up to the birth of Jesus.
Prophecy fulfilled.
Prophecy fulfilled - this is important. Matthew is claiming Jesus is the long awaited saviour. Although we find this a 'matter of fact' this was radical news.
Matthew's Gospel is filled with proofs of Jesus fulfilling the Old Testament prophecy. In this chapter: 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" which means, "God with us." This quote comes from Isaiah chapter 7.
Matthew's use of the title "Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham" is significant. "Christ" is roughly the Greek equivalent to "Messiah" or "Annointed". It was a term used to refer to a variety of people 'anointed' for a special function. "In Jesus' day Palestine was rife with messianic expectation. Not all of it was coherent and many Jews expected two different 'Messiahs'. But Matthew's linking of "Christ" and "son of David" leaves no doubt of what he is claiming for Jesus." (Carson, p61)
The virgin birth (or as two commentaries name it, "the virginal conception" - good point)
Blomberg writes, "...even the relatively primative stage of first-century science was sufficiently advanced for people to know that in every other known instance it required a biological father as well as a biological mother to produce a human child." (Blomberg 58) The virigin birth has been questioned from the time of Christ. Rumours recorded in secular writings reveal that it was said Mary had been raped by a Roman soldier. Matthew, however sees the remarkable prophetic completion in Isaiah's words, through the virgin birth of Jesus.
Carson comments that Matthew's record is to stress that the virgin birth is extraordinary; as is the angelic intervention with Joseph. The coming of the Messiah is an unprecedented event in history.
There are many other finer points in Carson's work ... but this seems like enough to chew on until next time.
It's interesting to be thinking about this at the beginning of Advent isn't it? Will post again tomorrow... perhaps some more 'fascinating facts' but then some thoughts on how does this impact us today? me today? Is there some application to be put into practice? Let me know what you think.
:)
No comments:
Post a Comment