With the beginning of the new year I wanted to try something new with my daily Bible study.  I have decided that all year long I am going to focus on the Gospels, especially the the Synoptics.  I began by reading each of the gospels at a moderate pace, now I am going back and simply reading 1 chapter each day, in order try and get as in depth as possible.  Here are some of my thoughts and questions about this text:

1. Why did Matthew write to primarily a Jewish audience? It would seem that his past of being a tax collector would have isolated him from his people.
2. According to Jewish law there were certain categories of women that you did not have sexual relations with: a relative, a foreigner (especially a Moabite), a married woman, and a virgin (until you were married).  It is interesting that in the genealogy of Jesus there is a one woman for each of these categories.
3. What is the significance of the number 14 in the genealogy?
4. Matthew records 9 events that are not mentioned in the other gospel accounts.  One of those is Joseph’s dream (1:20-24).  Why might Matthew have included this?
5. The text says that Mary remained a virgin until after the birth of Jesus… Joseph must have had some self-control that most of us lack!  What lesson can we take from his handling of this difficult situation?

If you have any thoughts on this passage, questions of your own, or answers that you would like to share I would love to hear them, why not share in the comment section?

Tags: Bible Study, Matthew, Synoptic Gospels