Believers Church Bible Commentary

Matthew

Richard B. Gardner

HERALD PRESS

Scottdale, Pennsylvania

Waterloo, Ontario

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Gardner, Richard B., 1940–

Matthew / Richard B. Gardner.

p. cm.—(Believers church Bible commentary)

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN 0-8361-3555-5 (alk. paper)

1. Bible. N.T. Matthew—Commentaries. I. Title. II. Series.

BS2575.3.G375 1991

226.2’07—dc20

91–12048

CIP

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture is ordinarily from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. It is used by permission, as are the following marked: GNB, from the Good News Bible—New Testament, copyright © American Bible Society 1966, 1971, 1976; NEB, from The New English Bible, © The Delegates of the Oxford University Press and the Syndics of the Cambridge University Press 1961, 1970; and RSV, from the Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1946, 1952, 1971 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. For other abbreviations, see Glossary and Essays. The author has made some translations and paraphrases.

BELIEVERS CHURCH BIBLE COMMENTARY: MATTHEW

Copyright © 1991 by Herald Press, Scottdale, Pa. 15683

Published simultaneously in Canada by Herald Press,

Waterloo, Ont. N2L 6H7. All rights reserved.

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 91–12048

International Standard Book Number: 0–8361-3555–5

Cover by Merrill R. Miller

To my family Carol, Eric, and Mark

Contents

Series Foreword

Author’s Preface

Entering the World of Matthew

Jesus’ Origins and Calling, 1:1–4:16

Jesus’ Family History, 1:1–17

Jesus’ Birth and Infancy, 1:18–2:23

A Child Conceived by the Spirit, 1:18–25

A Child Acclaimed as King, 2:1–12

A Child Delivered from Destruction, 2:13–23

Jesus’ Preparation for Ministry, 3:1–4:16

John’s Work as the Forerunner, 3:1–12

Jesus’ Baptism by John, 3:13–17

Jesus’ Temptation in the Wilderness, 4:1–11

Jesus’ Return to Galilee, 4:12–16

Jesus’ Messianic Mission, 4:17–10:42

Jesus Launches His Ministry, 4:17–25

Jesus Teaches with Authority, 5:1–7:29

Heirs of the Kingdom, 5:1–16

A Greater Righteousness, 5:17–48

True Piety and False, 6:1–18

A Focused Life, 6:19–7:12

A Critical Choice, 7:13–29

Jesus Acts with Authority, 8:1–9:34

Mighty Works, Cycle 1, 8:1–17

Following Jesus, Interlude 1, 8:18–22

Mighty Works, Cycle 2, 8:23–9:8

Following Jesus, Interlude 2, 9:9–17

Mighty Works, Cycle 3, 9:18–34

Jesus Commissions His Disciples, 9:35–10:42

Laborers for the Harvest, 9:35–10:4

The Mission of the Twelve, 10:5–15

The Cost of Discipleship, 10:16–42

Israel Responds to Jesus, 11:1–16:20

Faith and Unfaith, Part 1, 11:1–12:50

John the Baptist and Jesus, 11:1–19

Who Receives Wisdom? 11:20–30

Jesus and the Sabbath, 12:1–21

By What Power? 12:22–37

Show Us a Sign, 12:38–50

Many Things in Parables, 13:1–52

Secrets of the Kingdom, 13:1–35

Disciples and the Kingdom, ...