Context Study: The Old Testament's Role in the New Testament

(5-8 minutes, easy set-up)
Learners will consider the importance of Matthew’s use of the Old Testament.

Read Matthew 1:1-2 and point out that Matthew used the first words of his gospel to tie his message to the Old Testament. Then, provide the following information:

According to the United Bible Societies’ Greek Testament (4^th edition), there are 343 quotations from the Old Testament, as well as 2,309 references, used in the New Testament.
Of these, 66 quotations and 348 references involve the book of Isaiah.
Matthew referred to prophecies from Isaiah in the following passages: 1:23; 2:23; 4:15-16; 8:17; and 12:17-21, because he understood that Jesus fulfilled each of these.
[Adapted from Stephen Motyer, The Old Testament in the New Testament]

Ask: Why do you think using the Old Testament in his gospel was so important to Matthew? As learners respond, as necessary, add the following: Matthew wrote to a mainly Jewish audience, and therefore wanted to make sure they understood that Jesus fulfilled all the promises from the Old Testament; Matthew wanted to convince his readers of Jesus’ role as THE long-awaited Messiah.