Asked by Makayla

What does Matthew want his readers to know about Jesus?

Matthew wants readers to know that Jesus is the Messiah.
Matthew wants readers to know that Jesus is just another sage.
Matthew wants readers to know that Jesus is their champion.
Matthew wants readers to know that Jesus is John the Baptist’s liberator.
Matthew wants readers to know that Jesus is wisdom incarnate.

All Answers 1

Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
Matthew wants his readers to know that Jesus is the Messiah.

Evidence in Matthew:
- The Gospel opens with a genealogy tying Jesus to Abraham and David (Matt 1:1) and repeatedly uses fulfillment citations to show Jesus completes Old Testament promises.
- Titles and confessions: Jesus is called “Christ”/Messiah and “Son of David” (e.g., Matt 16:16; many healing accounts).
- Narrative elements (Magi, angelic announcement, prophetic fulfillments) stress messianic identity and royal/kingly significance.
- Matthew also portrays Jesus as an authoritative teacher and the new interpreter/fulfiller of the Law (Sermon on the Mount), but not merely “another sage.”

The other options are incorrect or secondary emphases: he is not presented as “just another sage,” “John the Baptist’s liberator” is not a Matthean theme, and while Matthew includes wisdom motifs, its primary aim is to present Jesus as the promised Messiah.