Comparing The Four Gospels In The New Testament
There are four gospels in the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The gospels are narratives of the life of Jesus. The gospel of Matthew is written from a Jewish point of view which makes it very unique in regards to the other gospels. Because of its focus on Judaism, the gospel of Matthew serves as a strong bridge between the Old and the New Testament. Similarly to the Old Testament, Matthew associates Jesus’s life with the history of Israel. A clear example of this is when King Herod states “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him” (2:2). In this excerpt King Herod is referring to is Jesus.
Matthew writes as if there were a second coming of Jesus and readers
can immediately see the connection between the Old and the New Testament when Matthew states “Out of Egypt I called my son” (2:15). This is a direct correlation to the exodus of Israelities from Egypt in the Old Testament. In the beginning of Matthew, it seems as though the plot is going to be in favor of the Jewish people, but by the end readers may view the gospel as antisemitic. Anti semitism is recogonized in chapter 23 when “Seven Woes on the Teachers of the Law and the Pharisees” were documented. The Pharisees were members of the ancient Jewish sect. Repition of the line “Woe to you, teachers of the law and the Pharisees, you hypocrites!” emphasizes the extreme antipathy toward the Jews (23:15). This theme is continued when Jesus refers to the Pharisees as “You snakes!You blood of vipers!” (15:33). Finally, in chapter 27 readers encounter the largest jab toward the Jewish people. In line 25 when Jesus is before the governor, “All the people answered, his blood be on us and on our children” (27:25). By many this has been considered a “blood-guilt.” The underlying message behind this can be interpreted as all Jewish people were responsible for the crucifiction/ death of Jesus.
In conclusion, when readers first start the Gospel of Matthew, they might obtain the idea that it sheds positive light on the Jewish people and Judaism. By the end, their opinions might have dramatically changed due to the slow advancement of anitsemetic themes throughout the text.
Matthew writes as if there were a second coming of Jesus and readers
can immediately see the connection between the Old and the New Testament when Matthew states “Out of Egypt I called my son” (2:15). This is a direct correlation to the exodus of Israelities from Egypt in the Old Testament. In the beginning of Matthew, it seems as though the plot is going to be in favor of the Jewish people, but by the end readers may view the gospel as antisemitic. Anti semitism is recogonized in chapter 23 when “Seven Woes on the Teachers of the Law and the Pharisees” were documented. The Pharisees were members of the ancient Jewish sect. Repition of the line “Woe to you, teachers of the law and the Pharisees, you hypocrites!” emphasizes the extreme antipathy toward the Jews (23:15). This theme is continued when Jesus refers to the Pharisees as “You snakes!You blood of vipers!” (15:33). Finally, in chapter 27 readers encounter the largest jab toward the Jewish people. In line 25 when Jesus is before the governor, “All the people answered, his blood be on us and on our children” (27:25). By many this has been considered a “blood-guilt.” The underlying message behind this can be interpreted as all Jewish people were responsible for the crucifiction/ death of Jesus.
In conclusion, when readers first start the Gospel of Matthew, they might obtain the idea that it sheds positive light on the Jewish people and Judaism. By the end, their opinions might have dramatically changed due to the slow advancement of anitsemetic themes throughout the text.