Matthew 1 & 2 | The Wolfe Notes

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These Wolfe Notes Cover:

1. Background on Matthew
2. Matthew 1: The Genealogy and Birth of Jesus
1. Overview: General Topic, Key Themes, and Summary
2. Thoughts, Questions, and Connections
3. Research On the naming of Jesus.
3. Matthew 2: The Wise Men's Visit, A Flight to Egypt, and At Home in Galilee
1. Overview: General Topic, Key Themes, and Summary
2. Thoughts, Questions, and Connections
3. Exploration On Obedience and its Importance to God.

Background

Disciples by JeffJacobs1990 at Pixabay

Genre

• Ancient Biography/Historical Narrative
• Most carefully topically arranged of all the gospels.
• Lends well to a hierarchical outline.

Purpose

• To proclaim Jesus as the Jewish messiah who was sent by God to fulfill Old Testament prophecy.
• To identify Jesus as the new Abraham who establishes a new blood line and the new Moses who leads His people out of a new Exodus.
• To establish Jesus' identity as Immanuel, God with us, as the son of God.
• To preserve Matthew's eyewitness testimony.

Author

• Matthew, also known as Levi.
• A disciple of Jesus who records his eyewitness account.
• Authorship is not really questioned because this gospel was the early church's favorite gospel, so it is unlikely that authorship would be forgotten or miscredited. 
• Likely, Matthew drew on Mark's gospel which was already in circulation when Matthew wrote his.

Audience

• Greek-speaking Jewish Christians
• A culture immersed in oral tradition that rarely relied on written word to communicate. In fact, those who were less literate had better memories. 

Sources:

1. NIV, CULTURAL BACKGROUNDS STUDY BIBLE : Bringing to Life the Ancient World of Scripture. Zondervan, 2011. (Articles on Matthew and The Gospels pp. 1598-1606)
2. The New Testament Handbook. Holman Reference, 1 Feb. 2024.

Matthew 1

Manger by  JeffJacobs1990 at Pixabay

Overview

General Topic

The story of Jesus' birth from Joseph's perspective.

Key Themes

 Our Story is His Story, Obedience, Fatherhood

Summary

Jesus descended from a line of imperfect humans with fascinating stories. Though Israel waited longer than expected for their Messiah, in reflection, God's timing made logical sense: it was calculated perfectly. Crucial to God's plan were two imperfect, yet faithful, humans to parent His child. Joseph, Jesus' father, followed God's ways and was obedient to God in the face of unthinkable circumstances.

Thoughts, Questions, and Connections

? Denotes a question, * a personal thought, and ! a connection. Researched answers are in italics.

On the Genealogy (Matthew 1:1-17)

1. ? Why are only David and Abraham first mentioned in the lineage of Jesus Christ? Heritage and prophecy fulfilment? (Matthew 1:1)
1. "The Lord said to Abram, 'Leave your land, your family, and your father's household for the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation and will bless you. I will make your name respected, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, those who curse you I will curse; all the families of the earth will be blessed because of you." Genesis 12:1-3 CEB
2. "Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ." Galatians 3:16 KJV
3. David is promised an everlasting kingdom through his heritage. II Samuel 7:8-16
2. ? The names are slightly different in the KJV, is that because it is closer to the original Greek? For example: Judas vs. Judah; Phares vs. Perez; and Rachab vs. Rahab. (Matthew 1:2-14)
3. *Some character trait associations for people in Jesus' ancestry follow:
1. Abraham: Chosen (Genesis 12:1-3)
2. Isaac: Sacrifice (Genesis 22:1-19)
3. Jacob: Deceptive (Genesis 25:19-34; 27:1-41)
   
4. Judah: Just (Genesis 37:26-27; 38:26; 44:33-34)
5. Tamar: Rejected (Genesis 38)
6. Rahab: Prostitute (Joshua 2:1-21; 6:23-25; Hebrew 11:31)
7. Ruth: Committed (Ruth 1:16)
8. David: Devout (I Samuel 13:14)
9. Bathsheba: Misused (II Samuel 11:1-5)
10. Hezekiah: Prayerful (Isaiah 37 & 38. Also, see our notes.)
11. Josiah: Restorer (2 King 22)
4. ? What word associations would I make about the rest? What word associations would be made about me and my story?
5. ! Several of the women in Jesus' ancestry were Gentiles (Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba), which supports God's open invitation for salvation from the beginning. 
6. ? Is the Eliakim mentioned in Jesus' ancestry (Matthew 1:13) the same one mentioned in Isaiah 22 who is a type of Jesus? (See our research notes on Shebna and Eliakim.) No commentator at Bible Hub mentions it, and *it's unlikely because Eliakim predates Hezekiah in Isaiah but is mentioned after Him here. 
7. *It's interesting that a Jacob is third from the beginning and third from the end (Matthew 1:16). The parallel compels me to search for similarities of the people on the fold. 
1. Jacob and Jacob: *I have no idea about the second Jacob's character, but wonder if he too wrestled with God like the first one.
2. Isaac and Joseph: *Demonstrated extraordinary obedience to God.
3. Abraham and Jesus. *The first of God's children: chosen nation vs. kingdom.
8. ? What is the significance of fourteen generations (Matthew 1:17)?
9. ? Does prophecy appear in this genealogy as it does in Old Testament genealogy? No, but patterns emerge. (See "Meanings of the Names in Genesis 5" by Chuck Missler at khouse.org and "The Genealogy of Christ" by Chuck Missler at khouse.org)

On the Birth of Jesus (Matthew 1:18-24)

1. ! The angel replied, "The Holy Spirit will come over you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the one who is to be born will be holy. He will be called God's Son. Luke 1:35 CEB to This is how the birth of Jesus Christ took place. When Mary his mother was engaged to Joseph, before they were married, she became pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1:18 CEB
2. *Joseph must have undergone extreme inner struggle when he was told to defy Jewish law and take Mary as his wife even though she was pregnant with another man's child (Matthew 1:20).
3. ? If prophecy was fulfilled, why was Jesus not named Immanuel? Research findings in next section.

Research

If the Isaiah prophecy was fulfilled, why was Jesus not named Immanuel?

The prophecy: "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." Isaiah 7:14 KJV

1. The Subject
1. At the time, it was about Isaiah's son.
2. Prophetically, it was about Jesus.
2. The Name
1. Calling him Immanuel was to reassure the Israelites of God's enduring presence and not to give him a legal name.
2. Immanuel is only one of Jesus' many names. Each one of these names is an accurate description of who Jesus is and what He does.
1. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace Isaiah 9:6 KJV
2. He will be great and he will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of David his father. Luke 1:32 CEB 
3. In his days, Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. Jeremiah 23:6 KJV

*Thoughts: Jesus' not being named Immanuel is one of the many instances where understanding the cultural context matters. Names were about character as much if not more than what to call someone. Which is why God renamed so many people. We don't take names as seriously today. Even if we do know what our name means, it doesn't necessarily reflect our character. Which is perhaps why one day God will rename us. It's important to understand the fulness of God's message instead of fixating on details that invalidate the bigger picture. When Jesus came, everything we thought we knew was flipped on its head; His name is one example. Of the names listed above for Jesus, the one I'm loving right now is The Lord Our Righteousness because it reminds me my righteousness is not on me. I don't have to be perfect to be right with God, I just have to believe that the One He has sent becomes my righteousness. What about you?

Sources: 

1. Bible Hub commentaries on Isaiah 7:14
2. NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible notes on Matthew 1:21-22
3. "Why wasn't Jesus named Immanuel?" article at Got Questions

Matthew 2

Wise Men by mariananbu at Pixabay

Overview

General Topic

Jesus' early life.

Key Themes

Obedience. Protection. Fulfillment.

Summary

Wise men saw the sign of Jesus' birth and traveled to see prophecy fulfilled in Him. Though many threats attempted to end Jesus' life, the obedience of God's servants, Joseph and the wise men, kept Him safe. Jesus' childhood home was Galilee, by way of Egypt, which fulfilled even more prophecies. 

Thoughts, Questions, and Connections

? Denotes a question, * a personal thought, and ! a connection. Researched answers are in italics.

On the Wise Men (Matthew 2:1-12)

1. ? How did the wise men even know to look for the star? And why would they want to worship Him?
1. They were highly regarded Persian academics who likely studied the following scriptures:
1. I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth. Numbers 24:17 KJV
2. ...Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks,...Daniel 9:24-27 KJV, excerpt
3. But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from old, from everlasting. Micah 5:2 KJV
4. A child is born to us, a son is given to us, and authority will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 CEV
2. Interested in what they discovered in these scriptures and in the sky, they obeyed what they learned. - from "The Wise Men: Gentiles on a Journey of Faith" by Peter Colon at Friends of Israel and "Where did the wise men come from...?" by Billy Graham
3. Likely, they worshipped Him as Messiah, a savior of the people and universal Messiah, not as God incarnate. -from "Messiah for the Magi" at Desiring God
2. ? Which prophet said He would be born in Bethlehem? Micah 5:2 (See above.)
3. *When the wise men visited they were in a house, not a manger, as is often misrepresented in the nativity (Matthew 2:11) and Jesus was likely not a newborn but still younger than two (Matthew 2:16.) (Read more misconceptions about Jesus' birth in our JOY for Today post.)
4. ? Why were gold, frankincense, and myrrh the gifts that were given? (Matthew 2:11)
1. ! When frankincense is harvested they must wound a tree which bleeds resin. Resin has healing properties. Which in itself points to the end of this precious child and His eternal purpose: to heal and rescue us by His wounds. - Brant Hansen Facebook post 
5. ? God communicated to the wise men (Matthew 2:12) and Joseph (Matthew 1:20; 2:13) in dreams. Does God still communicate this way? And if He does, how do you know it is from Him?

On the Flight to Egypt (Matthew 2:13-18)

1. ! Arise! (Matthew 2:13) *Relationship with Jesus involves our action: we must go where He sends us.
1. Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. Isaiah 60:1-3 KJV (See cross references.)
2. And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, LORD, and let thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate thee flee before thee. Numbers 10:35 KJV
3. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Proverbs 31:28 KJV (See our notes.)
4. Prepare the table, watch in the watchtower, eat, drink: arise, ye princes, and anoint the shield. Isaiah 21:5 KJV (See cross references.)
2. ? Which prophet said He would go to Egypt? Why Egypt, because of escape from sin or to align with the Israelites' enslavement and escape?
3. ? How is Ramah connected with Bethlehem (Matthew 2:18)?
4. ? Is the Rachel mentioned Jacob's favored wife (Matthew 2:18)? *Who is not Jesus' ancestor, but Leah, the unfavored wife is. 
5. *How often do we, like Rachel, refuse to be comforted (Matthew 2:18)?

On Being Home in Galilee (Matthew 2:19-23)

1. ? Why Galilee?
2. ? The footnote on Matthew 2:23 says that the prophet who says Jesus would be a Nazarene is not known. *Clearly, Matthew must have known this prophet, however. And believed his readers would, too.

Exploration

On obedience and its importance to God.

Why Obedience Matters 

• It is more important than sacrifice.
• "Tell me," Samuel said. "Does the LORD really want sacrifices and offerings? No! He doesn't want your sacrifices. He wants you to obey him. I Samuel 15:22 CEV
• It proves our love for God. 
• If we love and obey God, we know we will love his children. We show our love for God by obeying his commandments, and they are not hard to follow. I John 5:2-3 CEV
• If ye love me, keep my commandments. John 14:15 KJV
• Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. Acts 5:29 KJV
• It demonstrates our faithfulness. 
• But if we claim to know him and don't obey him, we are lying and the truth isn't in our hearts. We truly love God only when we obey him as we should, and then we know we belong to him. If we say we are his, we must follow the example of Christ. I John 2:4-6 CEV
• It glorifies God in the world. 
• Always let others see you behaving properly, even though they may still accuse you of doing wrong. Then on the day of judgment, they will honor God by telling the good things they saw you do. I Peter 2:12 CEV
• It opens us up to blessings.
• You know [that you are not too important to serve others], and God will bless you, if you do [it]. John 13:14-17 CEV
• The LORD will bless you if you respect him and obey his laws. Psalm 128:1 CEV (See also Psalm 119:1-2)
• Obey God's message! Don't fool yourselves by just listening to it. If you hear the message and don't obey it, you are like people who stare at themselves in a mirror and forget what they look like as soon as they leave. But you must never stop looking at the perfect law that sets you free. God will bless you in everything you do, if you listen and obey, and don't just hear and forget. James 1:22-25 CEV
• If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: Isaiah 1:19 KJV

Why We Obey

• We obey because we want to in response to our love for God.
• We are able to obey because we are transformed.
• Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV
• As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation. I Peter 1:14-15 KJV
• We know we know God when we keep his commandments. (I John 2:3)
• We know we are choosing God over Satan.
• Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me...Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. John 8:42-47 KJV, excerpts

*Thoughts: If we love God, if we believe Jesus is who He says He is, we will do as He tells us. We know that He knows what is best for us. Obedience demonstrates our trust in Him.

Sources: 

1. "Liar, Lunatic, or Lord? Response Required" sermon by Grant Agler at Foundations Church
2. "What does the Bible say about Obedience?" Got Questions

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Consider common misconceptions surrounding Christ's birth and connect with a story of obedience. Includes facts, scripture, quotes, and activity suggestions.

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Propel yourself forward by relating to others who took action and chose obedience in the face of unthinkable circumstances. Includes facts, scripture, quotes, and activity suggestions.

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