Matthew, also known as Levi, was a former tax collector who had abandoned everything to follow Jesus Christ (Luke 5:27-32). It is clear that Matthew, one of Jesus’ twelve disciples, wrote this gospel prior to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 and most conservative scholars would place the date of its’ writing somewhere between AD 50-60. His writing leans heavily toward a Jewish readership and Matthew seeks to show them throughout that Jesus Christ was the promised Messiah and that they could experience a relationship with God through Him. Matthew also knew that the Jews who desired a relationship with God would experience much guilt at the realization that they had crucified the Messiah, so he spent time writing to encourage them. With some 50 direct quotations from the Old Testament and nearly 75 references to Old Testament events, Matthew was passionate about proving to the Jewish nation that Jesus Christ was their awaited Messiah and was worthy of their faith. His carefully chosen words (inspired by the Holy Spirit) rightfully connected the Messiah of promise with the earthly Christ.Also significant in Matthew’s gospel are Jesus’ teaching ministry (Matthew 5-7, Matthew 10, Matthew 13, Matthew 23, Matthew 24-25), His conflict with so-called religious leaders, and the Jews’ rejection of Jesus as the Messiah.
