Transcript Gospel of Matthew

Gospel of Matthew
Sermon on the Mount
(chapters 5-7)
Sermon on Mount
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Core of Jesus’ preaching
Shows strong critique of competing
versions of Judaism
But also shows a vision of a transformed
Judaism (5:17)
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Centers on vision of God’s Kingdom, which
challenges human notions of authority and
community
Historical context
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Jesus born ca. 4 BCE, crucified ca. 30 CE
Gospel written ca. 80-90 CE
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4 “canonical” gospels
12 or so extant non-canonical gospels
What made some canonical?
Written for Jewish-Christian audience
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Earliest followers of Jesus were Jews
Reflects intra-Jewish debate at time of destruction of
Temple; which way to go?
Jesus as the New Moses
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Birth narrative: had to be hidden from
King in Egypt
Law givers
Receive revelation on mountain
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Sinai vs. Sermon on the Mount
Jesus does not abandon law but fulfills it
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Reinterprets law against Pharisees
The Beatitudes
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What is the purpose of the speech?
What is blessed?
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How does this compare to “worldly”
perceptions?
What is the “kingdom of heaven”?
Kingdom of God (KOG)
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Main theme of Jesus’ ministry in all 4 gospels
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Subject of preaching
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KOG is immanent, “in your midst”
KOG is breaking into society, but is not yet fully realized
KOG is a radical challenge to how people live: under Roman
occupation, divided into groups and classes
KOG is salvation, conforming the world to God’s will (6:10)
Demonstrated in actions
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Open table fellowship: eating with “sinful” persons, people of
higher and lower classes
Healing and exorcisms: freedom from oppression
Challenge to Roman empire, who punished him with the
death sentence
The Antitheses
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Prelude: Matthew 5:17
Matt 5:21-48
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How does Jesus interpret the Mosaic law
here?
5 antitheses symbolic of 5 books of Torah?
Chapters 6-7
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How does Jesus treat prayer and ritual?
What are the ethical guidelines of Jesus?
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How does this relate to the kingdom of
heaven?
Note 7:12: sums up law and prophets (Jewish
teaching)