Matthew 2:1-12 (Guide C)

Ancient Lens

How can we learn from the historical context?

The Purpose of Matthew's Gospel

Matthew didn’t write his Gospel merely to record facts about Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. He structured his entire Gospel to emphasize the kingly nature of Christ. Since his main audience was Jewish Christians, he writes with special attention to how Jesus is the Messiah and bears the right to the throne of David as Israel’s true king.

The Great Reversal: Outsiders Are Invited into the Kingdom

Matthew juxtaposes two parties’ responses to the birth of Christ: King Herod and the Magi. Herod is the one supposed to be on the inside, the one ruling in David’s city, where…