Matthew Through the Centuries

Ian Boxall is Associate Professor of New Testament, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC. His previous works include Discovering Matthew (2014) and Patmos in the Reception History of the Apocalypse (2013).

• List of Illustrations xiiiSeries Editors' Preface xviPreface xviiiAbbreviations xxiIntroduction 1Matthew among the Gospels: A 'Harmonious and Gentle Fullness' 1The Approach of This Commentary 4The First Gospel as the Church's Gospel 9The Gospel with the Human Face 12Key Interpreters across the Centuries 14Matthew's Gospel in the Arts and Literature 27The Afterlife of Matthew the Evangelist 31Note on References in the Commentary 37Note on Biographies and Glossary 37Matthew 1 38Ancient Literary Context 38The Interpretations 39The Title (1:1) 40The Genealogy (1:2–17) 41The Annunciation to Joseph (1:18–25) 46Matthew 2 53Ancient Literary Context 53The Interpretations 54The Magi (2:1–12) 54The Flight into Egypt (2:13–15) 64The Slaughter of the Innocents (2:16–18) 67From Egypt to Nazareth (2:19–23) 71Matthew 3 74Ancient Literary Context 74The Interpretations 75John the Baptist's Ministry (3:1–6) 75The Preaching of John (3:7–12) 79The Baptism of Jesus (3:13–17) 81Matthew 4 88Ancient Literary Context 88The Interpretations 89The Temptation (4:1–11) 89To 'Galilee of the Gentiles' (4:12–17) 95Four Disciples Called (4:18–22) 96The Sermon on the Mount: An Overview 99Contested Meaning 101A Sermon for All Christians 102Apologetic and Polemical Use 103The Sermon's Radical Demands 105Matthew 5 107Ancient Literary Context 107The Interpretations 108Jesus Ascends the Mountain (5:1–2) 108The Beatitudes (5:3–12) 110Salt and Light (5:13–16) 119Fulfilling the Law and the Prophets (5:17–48) 121Matthew 6–7 130Ancient Literary Context 130The Interpretations 131Practicing Piety (6:1–8, 16–18) 131Our Father (6:9–15) 133Other Teachings (6:19–7:12) 140Conclusion to the Sermon (7:13–27) 145Matthew 8–9 150Ancient Literary Context 150The Interpretations 152A Triad of Healings (8:1–17) 152Crossing the Sea and Calming the Storm (8:18–27) 159Two Gadarene Demoniacs (8:28–34) 162Controversy in Christ's Own City (9:1–17) 164Another Cluster of Miracles (9:18–34) 167Matthew 10 170Ancient Literary Context 170The Interpretations 171Introducing the Twelve (10:1–4) 171Commissioning the Twelve (10:5–15) 173Warning of Persecution (10:16–33) 177Not Peace but a Sword (10:34–36) 179Demands and Rewards (10:37–42) 180Matthew 11–12 181Ancient Literary Context 181The Interpretations 182John and Jesus (11:2–19) 182Rejection in Local Cities (11:20–24) 186The 'Johannine Thunderbolt' (11:25–30) 188Growing Opposition (12:1–14) 191Jesus the Gentle Servant (12:15–21) 192Jesus and Beelzebul (12:22–37) 193The Sign of Jonah (12:38–45) 198Mothers, Sisters, and Brothers (12:46–50) 200Matthew 13 203Ancient Literary Context 203The Interpretations 205Teaching from a Boat (13:1–2) 206The Sower and Its Interpretation (13:3–9, 18–23) 207The Purpose of Parables (13:10–17, 34–35) 210The Wheat and Tares and Its Interpretation (13:24–30, 36–43) 212The Mustard Seed and the Leaven (13:31–33) 215Three More Kingdom Parables (13:44–50) 217The Wise Householder (13:51–52) 222Rejection in Christ's Own Country (13:53–58) 223Matthew 14–15 225Ancient Literary Context 225The Interpretations 227The Death of the Baptist (14:1–12) 227Two Miraculous Feedings (14:13–21; 15:32–39) 232Walking on the Water (14:22–33) 236Dispute Over Handwashing (15:1–20) 239The Canaanite Woman and Her Daughter (15:21–28) 242Matthew 16 246Ancient Literary Context 246The Interpretations 247The Leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees (16:1–12) 247Peter's Confession (16:13–20) 248Taking Up the Cross (16:21–28) 259Matthew 17 262Ancient Literary Context 262The Interpretations 263The Transfiguration (17:1–13) 263The Exorcism of the Son (17:14–20) 272The Coin in the Fish's Mouth (17:24–27) 276Matthew 18 279Ancient Literary Context 279The Interpretations 280Children and the Kingdom (18:1–9) 280The Lost Sheep (18:10–14) 283Forgiveness and Community Discipline (18:15–20) 286The Unmerciful Servant (18:21–35) 290Matthew 19–20 293Ancient Literary Context 293The Interpretations 294Marriage, Divorce, and Eunuchs (19:1–12) 294The Rich Youth (19:16–30) 298The Workers in the Vineyard (20:1–16) 301The Mother of the Sons of Zebedee (20:20–28) 305Two Blind Men at Jericho (20:29–34) 307Matthew 21–22 309Ancient Literary Context 309The Interpretations 310The King's Humble Entry (21:1–11) 310The Temple Incident (21:12–17) 316Jesus and the Fig Tree (21:18–22) 318The Two Sons (21:28–32) 319The Vineyard Tenants (21:33–46) 320The Marriage Feast (22:1–14) 322A Series of Debates (22:15–46) 325Matthew 23 332Ancient Literary Context 332The Interpretations 334Woes against the Scribes and Pharisees (23:1–36) 334A Lament for Jerusalem (23:37–39) 345Matthew 24–25 348Ancient Literary Context 348The Interpretations 350Jesus Leaves the Temple (24:1–2) 350From the Birthpangs to the Parousia (24:3–31) 350A Call to Watchfulness (24:32–51) 359The Wise and Foolish Virgins (25:1–13) 363The Talents (25:14–30) 368The Judgment of the Nations (25:31–46) 370Matthew 26–27 376Ancient Literary Context 376The Interpretations 377From Plot to Arrest (26:1–56) 380The Two Trials (26:57–27:31) 386The Crucifixion of the Messiah (27:32–56) 403The Burial (27:57–66) 410Matthew 28 413Ancient Literary Context 413The Interpretations 414The Discovery of the Tomb (28:1–8) 414Grasping Christ's Feet (28:9–10) 419Bribing the Guards (28:11–15) 419The Encounter on the Mountain (28:16–20) 420Biographies and Glossary 426Bibliography 446Index of Biblical References 490Index 510

"Overall, the commentary represents an impressive collection of select aspects of reception, relating to individual motifs as well as to various intertextual lines of connection that have been drawn, or even to broader interpretive traditions. Boxall's commentary is recommended to those who desire a first access to the reception history of Matthew's Gospel or to those who seek a supplement to other works on the subject."—Biblische Notizen 194 (2022)