This book explores 'innocent blood' and its traditions as keys to the death of Jesus in Matthew, against background of exile and return.

The Word of the cross is a living word, crying out for reinterpretation as life takes new shape and expression. Reinterpreting the Gospel was particularly compelling for Matthew's church because his Christians lived in a time of profound transition. The Passion of Jesus, then, was not simply a story of suffering out of the past but a point of identification for the Christians of Matthew's own time. For us twentieth-century Christians, who also know the peculiar suffering and hope of living in an age that is both dying and being born, the Passion of Jesus according to Matthew has special meaning.

Jerry D. Breen argues that reading Matthew, and all the Gospels, as ancient biography is the necessary next step for Gospel studies. In particular, Breen contends that more specific comparisons should be made between the Gospels and ancient literature. Breen stresses that this reading invites narrative critics to place more emphasis on examining the use of sources and the importance of intertextual and historical information that the author introduces to the text. Breen places emphasis on the relationship between Jews and non-Jews in ancient Galilee and Palestine, and challenges the long-supported theory that Jesus did not minister to non-Jews beyond two or three exceptions. Demonstrating that Jesus is inclusive of everyone who comes to him, even though he was sent primarily to the Jews. Breen argues that the portrait which Matthew creates is one of a Jewish Messiah who is on a mission to restore Israel so that the restored people of God can bless the nations. Concluding that rather than two conflicting missions, the audience of the gospel is encouraged to view the healing of non-Jews during Jesus's ministry as further proof that the Jewish Messiah is bringing restoration to Israel.

Matthew's two stories of sabbath controversy contain key materials on the relations between Jesus and the sabbath. Deploying both socio-historical and literary criticisms, the author concludes that for Matthew the sabbath is fulfilled by Jesus-that is to say, Jesus' redemption has fulfilled the ultimate goal for the sabbath. The christological and eschatological character of these stories is thus apparent, and Yang suggests that such an emphasis, over against the Pharisees' casuistic concerns, betrays Matthew's awareness of the danger of a legalistic tendency in sabbath observance among members of his community.

The Understanding the Bible Commentary Series helps readers navigate the strange and sometimes intimidating literary terrain of the Bible. These accessible volumes break down the barriers between the ancient and modern worlds so that the power and meaning of the biblical texts become transparent to contemporary readers. The contributors tackle the task of interpretation using the full range of critical methodologies and practices, yet they do so as people of faith who hold the text in the highest regard. Pastors, teachers, and lay people alike will cherish the truth found in this commentary series.

The passing of Professor Graham Stanton, former Lady Margaret chair of divinity at Cambridge University, in 2009 marked the passing of an era in Matthean scholarship and studies of early Christianity. Stanton's 15 books and dozens of articles span thirty-four years and centre largely on questions pertaining to the gospel of Matthew and early Christianity. The present volume pays tribute to Stanton by engaging with the principal areas of his research and contributions: the Gospel of Matthew and Early Christianity. Contributors to the volume each engage a research question which intersects the contribution of Stanton in his various spheres of scholarly influence and enquiry. The distinguished contributors include; Richard Burridge, David Catchpole, James D.G. Dunn, Craig A. Evans, Don Hagner, Peter Head, Anders Runesson and Christopher Tuckett.

Edited by David Platt, Daniel L. Akin, and Tony Merida, this new commentary series, projected to be 48 volumes, takes a Christcentered approach to expositing each book of the Bible. Rather than a verse-by-verse approach, the authors have crafted chapters that explain and apply key passages in their assigned Bible books. Readers will learn to see Christ in all aspects of Scripture, and they will be encouraged by the devotional nature of each exposition. Exalting Jesus in Matthew is the second volume in the series and is solely authored by Platt (best-selling author of Radical). Other projected contributors to the series include notable authors such as Russell D. Moore, Al Mohler, Matt Chandler, Francis Chan, Mark Dever, and others.

Who was Jesus? What did he say? What did he do? This book puts together the story of Jesus’ life and message told by the people who knew him best as recorded in the four Gospels of the Bible—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Although the words were written over 2000 years ago, his message of peace, hope, love, and forgiveness still resonates with people today. All About Jesus combines the four reports of Jesus’ life into a single story from beginning to end, using the easy-to-read text of the NIrV Bible. Take a new look at Jesus— his life, his miracles, and his teachings—and to come to your own conclusions about the carpenter from Nazareth. Produced in collaboration with the International Bible Society (now Biblica).

With Dr. Mears as teacher and mentor, readers will study the four accounts of Jesus Christ’s life and ministry from the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. They will gain a big-picture understanding of key events—Jesus’ miraculous birth, His ministry, His teachings, and His crucifixion and resurrection—yet also see how each Gospel evangelist chose to emphasize particular themes for his reading audience. Twelve sessions of study give readers an opportunity to examine Jesus’ life in depth, whether on their own or with a group, and discussion/reflection questions invite groups or individuals to go even deeper.

This book is a detailed matching of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, to be used by everyone who desires to have a deeper knowledge of the teachings of Jesus Christ.