Introduction to the Gospel of Matthew

Introduction to the Gospel of Matthew offers a clear, rigorous, and theologically rich guide to one of the most formative texts in Christian Scripture. Positioned at the head of the New Testament canon, Matthew functions as a bridge between Israel’s Scriptures and the story of Jesus Christ. It presents a narrative that is deeply Jewish in its theological imagination and yet unmistakably universal in its missionary vision. William H. Malas Jr. equips readers to understand why Matthew has been central to Christian identity, ethics, and ecclesial life from the early church to the present.

Written for seminary students and serious readers, this textbook introduces the major questions and tools of Matthean scholarship, including authorship, historical context, literary structure, sources, and interpretive methods. At the same time, it invites readers to engage Matthew as a carefully crafted theological narrative. It portrays Jesus as Messiah, Emmanuel, and authoritative teacher, and it shows how his kingdom ethic reshapes righteousness around mercy, justice, and faithful discipleship.

With attention to both academic rigor and the church’s long history of interpretation, Introduction to the Gospel of Matthew helps readers interpret the Gospel responsibly and faithfully. It is an ideal resource for classroom use, preaching preparation, and theological formation. It guides students into Matthew’s world while equipping them to hear its enduring call to discipleship in their own.