Matthew 14-28

More about the book

What was the original purpose of the Gospel of Matthew? For whom was it written? In this two-volume commentary, Walter Wilson interprets Matthew as a catechetical work reflecting the ideological and institutional concerns of disaffected Jewish followers of Jesus in the late first century CE. Wilson’s thesis frames Matthew’s Gospel as a continuation of the biblical narrative and a didactic text aimed at shaping the identity of a dissident minority. It clarifies Jesus’s Jewish character as the “Son of David,” while contrasting him with prominent religious leaders, particularly the Pharisees, and showing his openness to non-Jews. Through meticulous engagement with the Greek text and relevant literature, Wilson provides insights into the first book of the New Testament. After an introduction that covers the text's background, genre, literary features, and theological orientation, he offers thorough commentary on each passage, addressing topics like morality, liturgy, mission, group discipline, and eschatology. Scholars, students, pastors, and readers interested in the unique aspects of Matthew among the Synoptics will benefit from Wilson’s deep contextualization, informed by his extensive study of the New Testament and Christian origins.