Jesus as Messiah in Matthew's Redactional Style
The Gospel of Matthew presents Jesus as the Messiah, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies and establishing the kingdom of heaven. The term "Messiah" (Hebrew: mashiah) means "anointed" and was applied to priests, prophets, and kings who were consecrated to their offices [5]. The Greek form, Messias, appears in the New Testament in John 1:41 and 4:25 [2, 5]. Matthew's portrayal emphasizes Jesus's role as the ultimate anointed one, encompassing these three offices [5].
Matthew's authorship is widely attributed to the apostle Matthew, though the original language of composition (Hebrew or Greek) is debated among scholars [1, 4]. Regardless, the Gospel consistently highlights Jesus's messianic identity through various literary and theological strategies. One significant aspect is Matthew's frequent use of Old Testament citations to demonstrate that Jesus's life and ministry were the culmination of divine promises. For instance, Matthew 2:6 quotes Micah 5:2, identifying Bethlehem as the birthplace of the ruler who would shepherd Israel [12].
Jesus's messianic identity is also underscored by his divine nature. Matthew regularly depicts Jesus receiving worship (e.g., Matthew 2:2, 8:2, 14:33), thereby identifying him as God [14]. This aligns with broader biblical themes that present Christ as God, as the Son of God, and as one with the Father [3, 7]. For example, Isaiah 40:3, which speaks of preparing the way for the Lord, is applied to John the Baptist preparing the way for Jesus in Matthew 3:3, equating Jesus with Jehovah [7].
Matthew portrays Jesus as the suffering servant prophesied in Isaiah, particularly in the Servant Songs (Isaiah 42:1-4, 52:13–53:12) [10, 11, 13]. This aspect of the Messiah's role, involving humiliation before exaltation, is crucial to Matthew's narrative [11]. The suffering servant's work brings reconciliation between God and humanity [11]. Jesus's ministry, including his healing of the sick and casting out demons, is presented as a fulfillment of Isaiah 53:4, where the servant "took our illnesses and bore our diseases" (Matthew 8:17) [11].
The concept of the "kingdom of heaven" is central to Matthew's presentation of Jesus as Messiah [6]. This phrase, unique to Matthew among the Gospels, emphasizes the divine origin and nature of Jesus's reign. Jesus's teachings, such as the Sermon on the Mount, outline the ethics and principles of this kingdom. His miracles, like touching the eyes of the blind to restore their sight (Matthew 20:34), demonstrate his authority and compassion as the Messiah [8].
Matthew also emphasizes Jesus's kingship. Even in his crucifixion, the sign placed above his head declared, "THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS" (Matthew 27:37) [9]. This title, though intended as mockery by his accusers, affirmed his messianic claim. The Gospel concludes with Jesus commissioning his disciples to make disciples of all nations, asserting his ultimate authority as the resurrected Messiah (Matthew 28:18-20).
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Matthew, Gospel according to — The author of this book was beyond a doubt the Matthew, an apostle of our Lord, whose name it bears. He wrote the Gospel of Christ according to his own plans and aims, and from his own point of view, as did also the other "evangelists." As to the time of its composition, there is little in the Gospel itself to indicate. It was evidently written before the destruction of Jerusalem (Matt. 24), and some time after the events it records. The probability is that it was written between the years A.D. 60 and 65. The cast of thought and the for”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Messias — (anointed), the Greek form of Messiah. (John 1:41; 4:25)”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Excellency and Glory of Christ, The — As God -- Joh 1:1-5; Php 2:6,9,10. As the Son of God -- Mt 3:17; Heb 1:6,8. As one with the Father -- Joh 10:30,38. As the First-born -- Col 1:15,18. As the First-begotten -- Heb 1:6. As Lord of lords, &c -- Re 17:14. As the image of God -- Col 1:15; Heb 1:3. As creator -- Joh 1:3; Col 1:16; Heb 1:2. As the Blessed of God -- Ps 45:2. As Mediator -- 1Ti 2:5; Heb 8:6. As Prophet -- De 18:15,16; Ac 3:22. As Priest -- Ps 110:4; Heb 4:15. As King -- Isa 6:1-5; Joh 12:41. As Judge -- Mt 16:27; 25:31,33. As Shepherd -- Isa 40:10,11; Joh”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Matthew, Gospel Of — + Its authorship .--That this Gospel was written by the apostle Matthew there is no reason to doubt. Seventeen independent witnesses of the first four centuries attest its genuineness. + Its original language .--The testimony of the early Church is unanimous that Matthew wrote originally in the Hebrew language. On the otherhand doubt is thrown over this opinion, both statements of by an examination of the fathers and by a consideration of peculiar forms of language employed in the Gospel itself. The question is unsettled, the best scholars not agr”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Messiah — (Heb. mashiah), in all the thirty-nine instances of its occurring in the Old Testament, is rendered by the LXX. "Christos." It means anointed. Thus priests (Ex. 28:41; 40:15; Num. 3:3), prophets (1 Kings 19:16), and kings (1 Sam. 9:16; 16:3; 2 Sam. 12:7) were anointed with oil, and so consecrated to their respective offices. The great Messiah is anointed "above his fellows" (Ps. 45:7); i.e., he embraces in himself all the three offices. The Greek form "Messias" is only twice used in the New Testament, in John 1:41 and 4:25 (R.V., "Messiah"), and in the Old ”
- Matthew ““The Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king, who made a marriage feast for his son, -- Matthew 22:2”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Christ is God — As Jehovah -- Isa 40:3; Mt 3:3. As Jehovah of glory -- Ps 24:7,10; 1Co 2:8; Jas 2:1. As Jehovah, our RIGHTEOUSNESS -- Jer 23:5,6; 1Co 1:30. As Jehovah, above all -- Ps 97:9; Joh 3:31. As Jehovah, the First and the Last -- Isa 44:6; Re 1:17; Isa 48:12-16; Re 22:13. As Jehovah's Fellow and Equal -- Zec 13:7; Php 2:6. As Jehovah of Hosts -- Isa 6:1-3; Joh 12:41; Isa 8:13,14; 1Pe 2:8. As Jehovah, the Shepherd -- Isa 40:11; Heb 13:20. As Jehovah, for whose glory all things were created -- Pr 16:4; Col 1:16. As Jehovah, the Messenger of the covenant -- Mal ”
- Matthew “Jesus, being moved with compassion, touched their eyes; and immediately their eyes received their sight, and they followed him. -- Matthew 20:34”
- Matthew “They set up over his head the accusation against him written, “THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.” -- Matthew 27:37”
- Acts (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Acts 8:32: 8:32-33 The passage of Scripture was Isa 53:7-8, one of the Servant Songs of Isaiah, a passage that speaks of the suffering servant of the Lord.”
- Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 52:13: 52:13–53:12 This is the fourth of four passages that speak about the promised servant (see study note on 42:1-4). The Hebrew poem is carefully constructed in five three-line stanzas. It begins with the servant’s exaltation (52:13), proceeds to his humiliation (52:14–53:9), and ends with his exaltation (53:10-12). The faithful servant’s suffering would bring reconciliation between God and humans. The Lord Jesus perfectly fulfilled this prophecy (see ch 40; Matt 8:17; Acts 8:30-35; Rom 10:15-17; 15:21; 1 Pet 2:24-25). 52:13 prosper . . . be highly exalted: The serv”
- Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 40:11: 40:11 Isaiah used the familiar biblical metaphor of a shepherd to speak of God’s care for his people (see also 49:10; Ps 23:1; Jer 3:15; 23:4; Ezek 34:11-17; Matt 2:6; John 10:1-18).”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 12:15: 12:15-21 This summary of Jesus’ ministry clarifies Jesus’ nature as the Messiah, the Servant of God who will bring salvation to the nations (see Isa 42:1-4).”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 2:2: 2:2 Matthew regularly describes Jesus as receiving worship (2:2, 8, 11; 8:2; 9:18; 14:33; 15:25; 20:20; 28:9, 17), thus identifying Jesus as God.”