The Gospel of Matthew presents Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies and embodying the characteristics of the promised king, teacher, and redeemer. Written primarily for a Jewish audience, Matthew’s gospel emphasizes Jesus’ lineage, His fulfillment of Jewish prophecy, His role as a new Moses-like teacher, and the inauguration of God’s kingdom on earth. Understanding how Matthew depicts Jesus as the Messiah sheds light on His mission, His teaching, and His significance for both Jewish and Gentile believers.
1. Jesus’ Messianic Lineage and Fulfillment of Prophecy
Genealogy as Proof of Messiahship:
- Matthew begins with a genealogy tracing Jesus’ lineage back to Abraham and David, showing His fulfillment of key covenantal promises. By connecting Jesus to Abraham and David, Matthew establishes Jesus as a legitimate heir to the promises made to both these foundational figures of Israel.
- This genealogy, structured in three sets of fourteen generations, is purposefully arranged to highlight Jesus as the culmination of God’s redemptive history (Matthew 1:1-17).
Fulfillment of Old Testament Prophecies:
- Throughout his gospel, Matthew frequently uses the phrase, “This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet,” linking Jesus’ actions and life events to Old Testament prophecies.
- Examples include the virgin birth prophecy (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:22-23), the Bethlehem birthplace (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:5-6), and the Messianic entry into Jerusalem on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:4-5).
- These fulfillments highlight that Jesus is not only connected to Israel’s history but is also the promised one who will fulfill Israel’s hopes and usher in God’s kingdom.
2. Jesus as the New Moses and the Teacher of God’s Law
Parallels Between Jesus and Moses:
- Matthew deliberately draws parallels between Jesus and Moses, presenting Jesus as a new and greater Moses. Just as Moses delivered the Law to Israel on Mount Sinai, Jesus delivers the Sermon on the Mount, a foundational teaching for the kingdom of God.
- Jesus’ early life has intentional echoes of Moses’ story, such as the flight to Egypt to escape Herod’s massacre of infants (Matthew 2:13-15), mirroring Moses’ escape from Pharaoh’s decree to kill Hebrew infants.
Teaching Authority in the Sermon on the Mount:
- In Matthew 5–7, Jesus presents the Sermon on the Mount, where He provides authoritative interpretations of the Law. Jesus emphasizes not merely external obedience but the inner transformation and righteousness that align with God’s heart.
- Jesus often says, “You have heard that it was said… but I tell you…” (Matthew 5:21-48), indicating His authority to deepen, fulfill, and even transcend traditional interpretations of the Law, leading believers to a higher standard of righteousness.
- Through this teaching, Jesus presents Himself as not just a teacher of the Law but the authoritative interpreter and fulfiller of it.
3. Jesus as the Suffering Servant and Son of David
Messianic Titles:
- Throughout Matthew, Jesus is identified with messianic titles such as “Son of David,” emphasizing His role as a royal heir. Blind men and others seeking healing address Him with this title (e.g., Matthew 9:27, 15:22, 20:30), recognizing Him as the one who brings healing, justice, and mercy.
- The title “Son of David” also connects Jesus with Israel’s messianic hopes for a king who would liberate them and restore God’s kingdom.
Suffering Servant:
- Matthew integrates the theme of the Suffering Servant (from Isaiah 53), emphasizing that Jesus’ path to messianic kingship involves humility, suffering, and sacrifice rather than political dominance.
- In Matthew 20:28, Jesus states that He “did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many,” echoing the suffering servant who takes upon Himself the sins of His people. This portrayal clarifies that Jesus’ mission as Messiah includes a sacrificial element that accomplishes salvation through His death.
4. The Inauguration of the Kingdom of God
Jesus’ Kingdom Teachings:
- Matthew records Jesus’ teachings on the “kingdom of heaven,” a term unique to his gospel. The term reflects a reverence for God’s name, as Jewish tradition avoided saying “God” directly.
- Through parables, miracles, and sermons, Jesus unveils the nature of this kingdom—its growth from humble beginnings, its transformative power, and its ultimate triumph (e.g., the parables in Matthew 13).
- Jesus clarifies that His kingdom does not conform to worldly expectations but is marked by humility, mercy, and justice.
Signs of the Kingdom’s Arrival:
- Matthew portrays Jesus’ miracles as signs of the kingdom’s arrival, as they fulfill prophecies of the Messiah healing the sick, giving sight to the blind, and setting captives free (Isaiah 35:5-6, 61:1).
- The miracles also authenticate Jesus’ identity as the Messiah, showcasing His authority over nature, disease, demons, and even death. By performing these acts, Jesus demonstrates the in-breaking of God’s kingdom and foreshadows the complete restoration to come.
5. Jesus’ Passion and Resurrection as Fulfillment of the Messianic Mission
The Passion Narrative:
- Matthew’s account of Jesus’ arrest, trial, crucifixion, and resurrection highlights the fulfillment of His messianic mission through suffering and victory over death.
- At His trial, Jesus acknowledges His identity as the Messiah and Son of God, though His kingship is misunderstood by both religious and political leaders. The crucifixion itself, a seemingly tragic end, is revealed as the ultimate victory over sin and death.
Resurrection as Vindication:
- Jesus’ resurrection (Matthew 28) is the climactic confirmation of His identity as Messiah. Through His resurrection, Jesus conquers death, affirming that He is the chosen one of God and ensuring believers’ hope in eternal life.
- The Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 charges Jesus’ followers with spreading the message of His kingdom, promising that He will be with them “to the end of the age.” This commissioning extends the messianic mission to all nations, fulfilling the Abrahamic promise of blessing for all peoples.
Conclusion
Matthew’s gospel profoundly establishes Jesus as the Messiah—rooted in Jewish tradition yet surpassing expectations through His life, teachings, sacrificial death, and resurrection. By framing Jesus’ ministry as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and covenant promises, Matthew presents Him as the culmination of Israel’s history and the hope for all nations. This understanding of Jesus as the Messiah not only validated His identity to the Jewish people but also laid the foundation for the universal spread of the gospel, extending the reach of God’s kingdom to the ends of the earth.
