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Why is Matthew's Gospel rightly called the Gospel of the Kingdom?
- Mt emphasizes Jesus' kingly traits and authority.
- Mt uses the word "kingdom" (basileia) over 50 times and "kingdom of heaven" 32 times.
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What is the Greek word for "kingdom"?
basileia
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How is the kingdom and kingship ushered by Jesus new?
Jesus was not a "king" like any other king with political power mustered for the military defeat of Israel's enemies. Rather he is a king who come to serve.
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How is the theme of the "kingdom of God" portrayed in the OT?
The Lord is presented as King, but his divine kingdom is not a central theme.
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What element of Jesus does Mt emphasize?
Mt emphasize Jesus' authority.
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How is Mt's Gospel the Gospel of the Church?
- Mt has from the earliest time been the Gospel most used by the Church in its worship, and in consequence, it has been the most frequently preached and commented upon.
- Mt is the only Gospel to use the word "church".
- Mt shows Jesus providing clear and coherent guidance to a community of believers.
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What is the only Gospel that uses the word "church"?
Matthew
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What is the Greek word for "church" and what does it mean?
Gk. ekklesia originally means "assembly" or "congregation".
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How does Jesus provide clear and coherent guidance to a community of believers?
He appoints Peter as the "rock" or foundation and ruler.
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With what structure does Matthew emphasize Jesus' giving his authority to the apostles?
CHIASTIC structure (CHIASM)
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What is Chiasm?
Chiasm refers to the biblical style of repeating words or phrases in a mirrored form, such as ABCDEDCBA. The middle element (here, the E) is the one to which the author is calling attention.
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The movement of Matthew's narrative
- Mt 1-9: Jesus establishes who He is and his authority through his words and deeds.
- Mt 10: That very authority of Jesus is now given to the twelve apostles.
- Mt 16: That authority is underlined when Jesus gives Simon the "keys of the kingdom of heaven" and changes his name to Peter or "Rock".
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What do the passages in Mt 16:17-19 indicate?
- These passages indicate how Christ's presence is to be communicated to his followers throughout history.
- Jesus is not a merely historical figure, relegated to the distant past, about whose life we merely tell stories.
- Rather, Jesus is ever-present (first and foremost because of his Resurrection), and this presence is made available to all through his Church, which has received his authority.
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What did Jesus name Peter in Mt 16:13-20?
Peter
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What is the etymology of the name "Peter"?
Gk. petra (a feminine noun), meaning "Rock"
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What does the word "petra" become when applied to Peter?
It is given the masculine ending (because Peter is male) and becomes petros.
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What is "rock" or Peter in Aramaic?
cephas
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What was the language that Jesus spoke?
Aramaic
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