The Bible Year

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 28, 1916

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 93, No. 48.

Read the full edition

Assignment for October 1 to 7

October 1: Matthew 5 to 7.

October 2: Matthew 8 to 10.

October 3: Matthew 11 to 13.

October 4: Matthew 14 to 16.

October 5: Matthew 17 to 19.

October 6: Matthew 20 to 22.

October 7: Matthew 23, 24.

For Further Study

Note the references to the Old Testament, and make a list of them.

Study the geography covered by this book, especially that of the Sea of Galilee and the surrounding country.

Make a list of the miracles and parables recorded by Matthew.

From Malachi to Matthew

Great events took place in the political world in the interval between the close of the Old Testament and the beginning of the New Testament. When Malachi prophesied, the Persian Empire, having its capital in the Far East, was at the height of its power. In 330 B. C. Alexander the Great subjugated the Persian Empire, and became master of the Oriental world; after his death his kingdom was divided into four parts. The Jews, by this arrangement, were the most of the time under the dominion of Egypt until 198 B. C., when Antiochus the Great, king of Syria, wrested Palestine from Egypt. A later Syrian king, Antiochus Epiphanes (176-164), attempted to destroy the religion of Jehovah: the temple was desecrated and closed; Jerusalem twice taken and sacked, and a system of cruel persecutions instituted. The very harsh measures used to compel the Jews to give up their religion reacted, and Judas Maccabeus, the reputed son of a priest named Mattathias, led a successful revolution which captured Jerusalem and rededicated the temple in 164 B. C. After him his four brothers ruled in succession. The boundaries of the land were extended over Edom, Samaria, and Galilee. In 40 B. C., the armed force which the Romans had lent Herod to enforce his claims which had been ratified by the Roman Senate, entered the city of Jerusalem, and made Herod the Great, an Idumean and a descendant of Esau, king over Palestine. Jesus was born near the close of his reign.

Matthew — Apostle and Evangelist

Matthew, the author of the first Gospel, was a Galilean Jew. His home was at Capernaum, and his business was that of a small tax collector under the Roman government. He appears to have been a man of wealth. By the calling of Matthew, the busy collector of dues and customs from travelers and cargoes crossing the Sea of Galilee, or passing through Capernaum on the great Damascus road which ran along the shore, we are shown that “Christ does not call idle men to work in his vineyard.”

“Matthew was a Jew; but when he became a publican, his brethren despised him. The Jewish people were continually irritated on account of the Roman yoke. That a despised and heathen nation should collect tribute of them was a constant reminder that their power and glory had departed. Their indignation knew no bounds when one of their own people so far forgot the honor of his exalted race as to accept the office of tax-gatherer.

“But the mind of Jesus was not molded after the prejudices of the Pharisees. He looked below the surface, and read the heart. His divine eye saw in Matthew one whom he could use for the establishment of his church. This man had listened to the teachings of Christ, and had been attracted to him. Without a doubtful murmur, or question as to his consequent pecuniary loss, Matthew rose up and followed his Master.”— Mrs. E. G. White.

The Book of Matthew

The Gospel of Matthew, like that of Mark and Luke, is called “synoptical,” because it gives the reader a more or less connected view of the Saviour’s life. This, the earliest of the Gospels, was written at Jerusalem, between A. D. 50 and A. D. 65, in the Greek language. It is thought that it may have been written at a still earlier date in Aramaic, the language of Palestine; but this is uncertain. The great object of the book was to show to the Jews that the Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah meet their complete and perfect fulfilment in Christ. There are said to be as many as sixty-five references in this Gospel to the Old Testament Scriptures.