MATTHEW'S USE OF THE PHRASE "KINGDOM OF HEAVEN"
Some believe that the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven are referring to different things, and yet it is clear that both phrases are referring to the same thing. The phrase "Kingdom of God" occurs 68 times in 10 different New Testament books, including Matthew (6:33; 12:28; etc.), while "Kingdom of Heaven" occurs only 32 times, and only in the Gospel of Matthew. Based on Matthew’s exclusive use of the phrase, and the Jewish nature of his Gospel, some interpreters have concluded that Matthew was writing concerning Christ's Millennial Kingdom, while the other New Testament authors were referring to the Universal Kingdom over which God rules. However, a closer study of the use of the phrase reveals that this interpretation is in error.
For example, Matthew 19:23-24: Jesus uses the "Kingdom of Heaven" and the "Kingdom of God" interchangeably. In addition, Mark and Luke used the "Kingdom of God" where Matthew used the "Kingdom of Heaven": compare Mt. 11:11-12 w/ Lk. 7:28; Mt. 13:11 w/ Mk. 4:11 and Lk. 8:10; Mt. 13:24 w/ Mk. 4:26; Mt. 13:31 w/ Mk. 4:30 and Lk. 13:18; Mt. 13:33 w/ Lk. 13:20; Mt. 18:3 w/ Mk. 10:14 and Lk. 18:16; Mt. 22:2 w/ Lk. 13:29. Clearly, the two phrases refer to the same thing.
MATTERIAL RECORDED ONLY IN MATTHEW
Only in Matthew's Genealogy is there a mention of women -
v.3 - Tamar; v.5 - Rahab and Ruth; v.6 - Bathsheba; v.16 - Mary.
The Wise Men - 2:1-12.
The Blind Men and the Demoniac - 9:27-34.
Woe to cities in Galilee - 11:20-24.
A Call to the Meek and the Suffering - 11:25-30.
The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares - 13:24-30, 36-43.
The Parables of the Hidden Treasure, The Pearl of Great Price, and The Nets - 13:44-52.
The Fish and the Tribute Coin - 17:24.
Dealing with a Personal Offence - 18:15-35.
Laborers for the Vineyard - 20:1-16.
Parable of the Two Sons - 21:28-32.
Parable of the Ten Virgins - 25:1-13.
The Judgment of the Nations - 25:31-46.
The Death of Judas Described - 27:3-10.
The Guard at the Tomb - 27:62-66, 28:11-15.
Christ's Appearance on the Mount Galilee - 28:16-20.
ONLY MATTHEW USES THE PHRASE "THAT IT MIGHT BE FULFILLED"
Matthew 1:22-23 - "Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us."
Matthew 2:15 - "And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called My Son."
Matthew 2:23 - "And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene."
Matthew 4:14-16 - "That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by (Isaiah) the prophet, saying, The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; the people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up."
Matthew 8:17 - "That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by (Isaiah) the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses."
Matthew 12:17-21 - "That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by (Isaiah) the prophet, saying, Behold My Servant, Whom I have chosen; My Beloved, in Whom My soul is well pleased: I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He shall show judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear His voice in the streets. A bruised reed shall He not break, and smoking flax shall He not quench, till He send forth judgment unto victory. And in His name shall the Gentiles trust."
Matthew 13:35 - "That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world."
Matthew 21:4-5 - "All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, Tell ye the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass."
Matthew 27:35 - "And they crucified Him, and parted His garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted My garments among them, and upon My vesture did they cast lots."
THE GREAT COMMISSION
Matthew 28:19-20 - "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the (age). Amen."
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