Question 1

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus preaches against the Law. Pick a side of the resolution and argue for it using as many specific examples from the text as possible. Keep in mind that the most persuasive arguments anticipate (and answer) counterarguments.

Accepted Answer

The affirmative side might put forward the following arguments: Jesus' giving of the Law superseded Moses' Law, perhaps indicating its incompleteness; Jesus' Law focused not on ritual practice but on ethical behavior; Moses' Law guided the Jews, while Jesus' Law guided all people who believe that he is the messiah; Jesus suggested that the entire Law rested on only two requirements, to love God and to love one's neighbor; Jesus referred to those Jews who followed the Law (e.g., Sadducees and Pharisees) as hypocrites because they adhered to the fine details of the Law (tithing, giving alms, praying, fasting, food laws) but not its spirit.
The negative side might put forward the following arguments: Jesus' commandments did not overturn Moses' but served to explain the reasoning behind them; Jesus himself followed the Law and expected his followers to as well; Jesus chastised the Jewish leaders for focusing on the letter of the Law while ignoring its larger and more fundamental meaning.

Question 2

Most of the Sermon on the Mount comes from Q material.

Accepted Answer

Many scholars believe that the Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew comes from Q material, a hypothetical collection of sayings of Jesus that was also used by the authors of the Gospel of Luke.

Question 3

Matthew's Jesus argues that keeping the Law is not necessary for those who believe in him.

Accepted Answer

In Matthew 5:17-20, Jesus says, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Jesus emphasizes the importance of following the Law and even raising the standard for righteousness.

Question 4

Matthew's genealogy leaves out several names in order to arrive at his fourteen-generation scheme.

Accepted Answer

Matthew's genealogy skips several names in order to arrange the genealogy into a fourteen-generation scheme from Abraham to Jesus.

Question 5

According to Matthew, Jesus provides the true understanding of the Jewish Law and shows how it must be kept.

Accepted Answer

Matthew 5:17-20 records Jesus saying that he did not come to abolish the Jewish Law, but to fulfill it, and that not even the smallest detail of the Law will disappear until everything is accomplished. He goes on to provide teachings that give a deeper understanding and application of the Law.

Question 6

Jesus demonstrates contradictions in the Law by means of his Antitheses in the Sermon on the Mount.

Accepted Answer

Jesus does not demonstrate contradictions in the Law; rather, he deepens the understanding of the Law, emphasizing its spirit and intent beyond the literal interpretation.

Question 7

In Hebrew, the consonants in King David's name, DVD, add up to:&#10;A) Seven&#10;B) Fourteen&#10;C) Twenty-one&#10;D) Twenty-four

Accepted Answer

In Hebrew, each letter has a numerical value. The letters in King David's name (DVD in Hebrew: דוד) are Dalet (ד), Vav (ו), and Dalet (ד) again. The numerical value of Dalet is 4 and Vav is 6. Therefore, the total is 4 + 6 + 4 = 14.

Question 8

In the Gospel of Matthew, all of the following recognize Jesus' identity except:&#10;A) John the Baptist&#10;B) Jesus' family&#10;C) The Magi&#10;D) Simeon at the Jerusalem Temple

Accepted Answer

In the Gospel of Matthew, Simeon at the Jerusalem Temple is not mentioned as recognizing Jesus' identity. Simeon's recognition of Jesus occurs in the Gospel of Luke, not Matthew.

Question 9

Of the following, the most important reason Matthew makes Jesus' identity public is to:&#10;A) Make the Jewish leaders culpable for Jesus' suffering&#10;B) Prove to Mary and Joseph that Jesus is divine&#10;C) Agree with Mark&#10;D) Show Jesus as a prophet

Accepted Answer

Matthew makes Jesus' identity public in order to make the Jewish leaders culpable for Jesus' suffering. Throughout the Gospel, Matthew portrays Jesus as fulfilling Old Testament prophecies, including his suffering and death. By publicly revealing Jesus as the Messiah, Matthew suggests that the Jewish leaders are knowingly rejecting and opposing God's plan, and thus bear responsibility for Jesus' death.

Question 10

In Matthew, apocalyptic teachings:&#10;A) Are not present&#10;B) Are argued against&#10;C) Are weaker than in Mark&#10;D) Are more strongly emphasized than in Mark

Accepted Answer

In Matthew, apocalyptic teachings are more strongly emphasized than in Mark. The Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24 contains extensive teachings on the end times, the signs of the coming of the Son of Man, and the need for preparedness.

Deck 8: Jesus, the Jewish Messiah: the Gospel According to Matthew