The Book Of Matthew is the first book of the New Testament. That alone makes Matthew’s Gospel unique. But what else makes this book special and exceptional beyond measure? Matthew was an Israelite and was writing to fellow Israelites. So, the gospel of Matthew is written from a uniquely Jewish viewpoint and, therefore, provides a unique viewpoint on Jesus. The gospel of Matthew focuses more on Jesus’ teachings and acts, such as including The Sermon On The Mount. Also, Matthew was a tax collector, before becoming Jesus’ disciple, and therefore wrote more about money. (See the parable of the talents, Matthew 25:14-30.)
Matthew Teaches That Accepting Christ Is Compatible With Judaism
Matthew takes great effort to show that accepting Jesus as the Messiah does not mean that Israelites had to abandon their Jewish traditions. He does this by quoting the Old Testament more than any other gospel writer.
Isaiah 7:14 -- "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."
Matthew clearly ties this prophecy to Jesus …
Matthew 1:22-23 -- "Now all this is come to pass, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, And they shall call his name Immanuel; which is, being interpreted, God with us."
Here is another example where Matthew connects the Old and New Testaments:
Psalms 22:1-2 -- "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? [
b]
Why art thou so far from helping me,
and from the words of my groaning?"
Matthew 27:46 -- "And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"
By doing this, Matthew shows how Jesus fulfilled Old Testament law and prophesy. Matthew also shows how John the Baptist’s proclaiming of Jesus’ arrival was foretold by the prophet Isaiah. (See Matthew 3:1-3.)
The Gospel Of Matthew Has A Uniquely Powerful Ending
Matthew ends his gospel in a uniquely powerful way writing what has become known as the Great Commission.
Matthew 28:16-20 -- "But the eleven disciples went into Galilee, unto the mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth. Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world."
Every single gospel is filled with the divine word of God. But Matthew brings something uniquely beautiful, powerful, and profound for our spiritual growth.