The Message of Matthew: The Kingdom of Heaven

The Bible Speaks Today: New Testament

by Michael Green

Matthew's Gospel is the first--and perhaps the most important--single document of the New Testament. In it you will find the fullest and most systematic account of the birth, life, teaching, death and resurrection of the founder of Christianity, Jesus the Messiah. In this Bible Speaks Today volume, Michael Green shows how this very Jewish Gospel portrays the power and purpose of Jesus' life and work, which was to bring light to all nations.

Matthew records Jesus as Messiah, Son of God, Son of David, Son of Man and supremely as God returning to Jerusalem as judge and redeemer. The consequences of this steady focus are as relevant now as then. Now more than ever we need to hear Matthew's emphasis on the unity of God's revelation old and new, its teaching on the life of discipleship, its exploration of the meaning of the kingdom of heaven, and its insights into the people of the Messiah, the end of the world and the universality of the Good News.

Green offers introductory material on the author of Matthew, the readers to whom the Gospel was originally written, the popularity of the Gospel, its structure and themes, and recent scholarship focused on Matthew. He then provides a passage-by-passage exposition of Matthew, paying attention to the application of the text as well as its interpretation. A study guide follows the exposition and will help you to further ponder and practice what this Gospel teaches you about Jesus and your place in the kingdom of Heaven.

Genres: Theology, Reference, Religion, Christian, Church, New Testament, Biblical Studies

350 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2000

About the author

Edward Michael Bankes Green, known as Michael Green, was a British theologian, Anglican priest, Christian apologist and author of more than fifty Christian books. He served as the Canon Missioner of Holy Trinity Church in Raleigh, North Carolina through 2007.

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Reviews

[Lou Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A commentary on Matthew, written from the perspective of someone who has a genuine Christian faith. I didn’t agree with everything but I found most of what he had to say really helpful.

[Patrick Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great commentary of Matthew's gospel with very practical exposition and application. I would highly recommend it.

[Randy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great series, and Michael Green is a wonderful author. Highly recommended.

[Dustin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an accessible, readable devotional commentary. Most of the book was nice, simple, not giving much more than you’d find in other shorter commentaries. But every now and then, you came across something outstanding not contained in other works. I didn’t use a lot of it to preach through. But there were a few sections, it became a primary resource. For that, I rank it higher.

[Phil Butcher · Rating 2 out of 5]

Surprisingly, I found this quite patchy in quality. Some good insights but also some diversions from the text in application.

[Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

These Bible Speaks Today (BST) commentaries are excellent and this one is no exception.

Michael Green has obviously spent a great deal of time reading and meditating on the Word plus read many other commentaries including many very old ones. This is one of the great attributes of the BST studies: the thoroughness of the research when compiling them.

Green's commentary is challenging in its content and interpretation. There were many instances of when I needed to re-read sentences and always left with me with much to contemplate and meditate on.

I have a much better understanding of this Gospel as a result of reading this commentary and accordingly recommend it highly. It's coverage of the Sermon on the Mount is scant, principally because this is dealt separately by John Stott in another BST edition. I have read this as well and also recommend it highly.

One of many interesting tidbits one learns from reading these BST volumes: three of Jesus significant "teachings" were conducted on mountains: The Sermon on the Mount, the Transfiguration and the Great Commission. I wonder if I should spend more time on mountains.

If you're planning on studying Matthew, I'd encourage you to read both of the BST editions, ie, Green's and Stott's.

[Danmcgohan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Narrative of the book of Matthew of the Bible. Read as supplement to my daily reading of a chapter a day of the Bible. Insightful. Not a Bible commentary but a explanation of Matthew as told by Mr. Green.

[Lemuel]

I used this commentary as my companion thru the gospel of Matthew. At times it was very interesting as well as concise. Would recommend for a entry level commentary on Matthew's Gospel.