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Becoming a Disciple of the King: A Theology of Matthew
An Introduction to the Theology and Themes of Matthew
Who is Jesus, and how can I become more like him? These fundamental questions echo through the ages, shape the Great Commission, and lie at the heart of the Christian life. Thankfully, the Gospel of Matthew offers a compelling answer, presenting Jesus as King, Teacher, and Messiah, while showing what it looks like to live faithfully in response to his call.
In this volume of the New Testament Theology series, scholar and pastor Jonathan Pennington explores the key theology and themes of Matthew to help readers gain a clearer understanding of both Scripture and Jesus. Whether you’re a pastor, student, or thoughtful believer, this book will deepen your grasp of Christ and inspire a life that reflects his character.
Helpful Bible Study A great companion to commentaries on Matthew For Those Interested in Biblical Ideal for college and seminary students, pastors, and professors Part of the New Testament Theology Other volumes include Sharing Christ in Joy and Sorrow; Ministry in the New Realm; United to Christ, Walking in the Spirit; and more
Who is Jesus, and how can I become more like him? These fundamental questions echo through the ages, shape the Great Commission, and lie at the heart of the Christian life. Thankfully, the Gospel of Matthew offers a compelling answer, presenting Jesus as King, Teacher, and Messiah, while showing what it looks like to live faithfully in response to his call.
In this volume of the New Testament Theology series, scholar and pastor Jonathan Pennington explores the key theology and themes of Matthew to help readers gain a clearer understanding of both Scripture and Jesus. Whether you’re a pastor, student, or thoughtful believer, this book will deepen your grasp of Christ and inspire a life that reflects his character.
Helpful Bible Study A great companion to commentaries on Matthew For Those Interested in Biblical Ideal for college and seminary students, pastors, and professors Part of the New Testament Theology Other volumes include Sharing Christ in Joy and Sorrow; Ministry in the New Realm; United to Christ, Walking in the Spirit; and more
- GenresTheology
176 pages, Paperback
Published June 9, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 18, 2025
Had the joy and privilege of reading the drafts of this crash-course on the theology of Matthew's Gospel. It's a great summary of Pennington's several decades' worth of scholarship on Matthew. Super accessible and a wonderful intro to this excellent Gospel.
September 3, 2026
Helpful, approachable, and worshipful. Doesn’t get much better than that!
July 3, 2026
Excellent, short, accessible, and profound introduction to major themes in the Gospel of Matthew. Several takeaways stood out:
1. The English notion of fulfillment as "promise-completion" is insufficient to explain Matthew's more technical meaning. Pennington argues for "fulfill" as a kind of "figuration or typological interconnectivity" (13). He argues (persuasively imo) that these Matthean fulfillments "are a Christ-driven framework by which the Jewish Scriptures can be understood in a particularly Christian way, understood only fully by looking backwards from the lived experiences of Jesus" (15).
2. He takes the majority Protestant (particularly Luther's) view on the Sermon on the Mount to task, that Jesus is commanding us to be perfect as God is perfect, thus setting an impossible standard to which we need to look to Christ's imputed righteousness as our only hope. Pennington argues this approach sees the Sermon on the Mount as primarily "Law" while he argues Jesus is preaching "Gospel." He translates the word "perfect" (telois) as "wholeness" or "completeness" and then demonstrates how Jesus is preaching this message of "wholeness" by pointing to how we can often act outwardly righteous, but inwardly our hearts are not engaged. This is NOT acting as a "whole" person. This section was fascinating and it has provided food for thought.
3. The idea that discipleship is and ought to be done in community. "The emphasis on the necessity of a personal relationship with God has always been important to Protestant Christianity and is a major tenet, especially of the Protestant sub-tradition of evangelicalism... But the call to discipleship is never merely individualistic. It is an invitation to enter into a new Christ community, what Jesus regularly calls the kingdom of heaven... To be a disciple is to be part of a group of fellow pupils who are learning from Jesus and from each other" (121-123).
I highly recommend this book, and at 138 pages, it is an excellent introduction to the themes of Matthew.
1. The English notion of fulfillment as "promise-completion" is insufficient to explain Matthew's more technical meaning. Pennington argues for "fulfill" as a kind of "figuration or typological interconnectivity" (13). He argues (persuasively imo) that these Matthean fulfillments "are a Christ-driven framework by which the Jewish Scriptures can be understood in a particularly Christian way, understood only fully by looking backwards from the lived experiences of Jesus" (15).
2. He takes the majority Protestant (particularly Luther's) view on the Sermon on the Mount to task, that Jesus is commanding us to be perfect as God is perfect, thus setting an impossible standard to which we need to look to Christ's imputed righteousness as our only hope. Pennington argues this approach sees the Sermon on the Mount as primarily "Law" while he argues Jesus is preaching "Gospel." He translates the word "perfect" (telois) as "wholeness" or "completeness" and then demonstrates how Jesus is preaching this message of "wholeness" by pointing to how we can often act outwardly righteous, but inwardly our hearts are not engaged. This is NOT acting as a "whole" person. This section was fascinating and it has provided food for thought.
3. The idea that discipleship is and ought to be done in community. "The emphasis on the necessity of a personal relationship with God has always been important to Protestant Christianity and is a major tenet, especially of the Protestant sub-tradition of evangelicalism... But the call to discipleship is never merely individualistic. It is an invitation to enter into a new Christ community, what Jesus regularly calls the kingdom of heaven... To be a disciple is to be part of a group of fellow pupils who are learning from Jesus and from each other" (121-123).
I highly recommend this book, and at 138 pages, it is an excellent introduction to the themes of Matthew.
June 30, 2026
A few especially illuminating discussions in this book stood out to me:
- Matthew’s view of the fulfillment of prophecy as figuration or typological connectivity. This will forever change the way I read and understand Matthew! Such clarity, though I’ll let the author speak for himself in the book on the elaboration of this point.
- The Gospel of Matthew as a bios of a Philosopher-King. I loved the history here, something I’ve come to appreciate from Pennington.
- Jesus’ command to "be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Pennington argues that this does not refer here to imputed righteousness but to a wholeness of life flowing from personal righteousness.
I would recommend giving this book a read for those points alone.
- Matthew’s view of the fulfillment of prophecy as figuration or typological connectivity. This will forever change the way I read and understand Matthew! Such clarity, though I’ll let the author speak for himself in the book on the elaboration of this point.
- The Gospel of Matthew as a bios of a Philosopher-King. I loved the history here, something I’ve come to appreciate from Pennington.
- Jesus’ command to "be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Pennington argues that this does not refer here to imputed righteousness but to a wholeness of life flowing from personal righteousness.
I would recommend giving this book a read for those points alone.
June 29, 2026
I should write a longer review, but i don't have time. In short, I didn't find Pennington's overall takenon Matthew convincing. Nor was I fond of his rather condescending tone. This is not a college level book at all. This might be something used in a small group at church.
August 10, 2026
Jonathan Pennington is quickly becoming one of my favorite (living) Christian writers!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews