Fortson's Chapter by Chapter Bible Commentaries

Introduction To Matthew 2Matthew 2 starts out just after the birth of Christ, immediately placing the reader in what will become a life or death situation for the newborn savior of the world. The jealous and nervous king Herod gave a decree that all of the children two and younger were to be killed, which forced Christ and his parents to flee into Africa to escape.Date: c 50 – 60 AD (view 1) or c 80 – 90 AD (view 2)Writer: MatthewCompositionMatthew 2 is broken down into two major sections. Verses 1 – 15 deal with the circumstances and danger surrounding the birth of Christ, including his family fleeing into Egypt. Verses 16 – 23 deal with Herod's anger in response to the wise men and the eventual return of Christ from Egypt to Israel.ViewpointsMatthew 2 focuses on the journey of the Messiah as an infant. His very nature put him at odds with an evil king based on the fact that he was born. Through the ordeal, The Most High sent an angel to instruct Joseph where to go and when to go. Joseph in turn shows his character and faithfulness by remaining obedient to The Most High.1. The wise men seek out Christ.2. Herod attempts to deceive the wise men.3. The wise men give gold, frankincense, and myrrh to new born Christ.4. Joseph is told to flee into Egypt with Mary and Christ.5. Herod orders the killing of all children two years old and younger.6. The death of king Herod.7. Joseph, Mary, and Christ move to Nazareth.ImportanceMatthew 2 shows us that the Messiah's existence wasn't without danger and turmoil. According to the text, at least two years had passed between Herod meeting the wise men and his decree to kill the children. Joseph's choice to obey The Most High and flee, turned his family into homeless fugitives for years. Matthew's perspective shows a Messiah that is both human and relatable to millions of people around the world.

Introduction To Matthew 1The birth, death, and resurrection of Christ are three of the main points to understanding whether or not he is the Messiah prophesied to come in the Old Testament. The redemption of mankind, the need for a Messiah, and the details of his coming are all outlined throughout the entirety of scripture.Matthew 1 starts out with the genealogy of Christ starting with Abraham and ending with Joseph. Rahab, Ruth, Tamar, and Mary are the only four women mentioned in the genealogy, which leads many to believe Matthew had a significant reason for doing so.Rahab was the Canaanite woman that hid Joshua, Caleb, and the other spies (Joshua 6). Ruth was the Moabitess widow that slept at Boaz's feet (Ruth 1 – 4). Tamar was Judah's daughter in law that pretended to be a prostitute (Genesis 38). And Mary was the mother of Christ (Matthew 1).Date: c 50 – 60 AD (view 1) or c 80 – 90 AD (view 2)Writer: MatthewCompositionMatthew 1 is broken down into two main parts. Verses 1 – 16 give us the genealogy of Joseph, starting with Abraham. Verses 17 – 25 focus on the birth of Christ. In between the genealogy and Christ's birth, we are introduced to Joseph, the husband of Mary and stepfather of Christ. Matthew is the only gospel writer to explain that Joseph wanted to divorce Mary because she was a pregnant virgin. This was something that had never been seen before in all of human history, so The Most High sent Gabriel to assure Joseph that Mary's pregnancy was of The Most High. It is through this story that we get a glimpse of Joseph's character. He did not want to raise a child that wasn't his, but he also wanted to divorce Mary in private so that her reputation would not be ruined.1. The genealogy of Christ through Joseph.2. Joseph's humanity and character.3. The birth of Christ.ViewpointsMatthew 1 is primarily focused on the male side of Christ's lineage, which was part of the culture at that time. Matthew uses the Old Testament to give us a complete genealogy that takes us through most of the books of the Bible that had been written up to that point.ImportanceMatthew 1 is important to the entirety of scripture because it gives us a rare look into the origin and character of the man The Most High chose to be an earthly father to Christ.

Revelation 1 serves as the powerful prologue to the Book of Revelation, framing it not as a puzzle, but as the direct revelation of Jesus Christ. Writing from his exile on the island of Patmos, the apostle John records his dramatic vision of the glorified and resurrected Christ, an awe-inspiring figure with eyes like blazing fire and a voice like rushing waters. The chapter emphasizes key themes of divine authority, as Jesus reveals himself as the Alpha and Omega, the one who holds the keys of Hell and death.This opening vision is communicated specifically to seven churches in Asia, which are represented by seven golden lampstands among which Jesus walks, signifying his active and sovereign presence with his people. Throughout this introduction, the text assures believers that Jesus is the faithful witness and the ruler over the kings of the earth, providing both a promise of hope for the faithful and a sobering warning of his ultimate judgment. Ultimately, Revelation 1 invites the reader into the heart of prophecy, assuring them of Christ's victory over suffering and death and his ultimate return.Date: c 68 – 69 AD (view 1) or c 95 – 96 AD (view 2)Writer: JohnCompositionRevelation 1 is broken down into two major parts, both of which are focused on Christ and his revelation.· John documents everything he saw and heard.· Christ introduces himself and instructs John to write.ViewpointsMost popular viewpoints on Revelation 1 tend to focus on the significance of the opening vision, which serves as a foundational introduction to the entire book. Interpretations often include viewing the vision as a symbolic portrayal of the glorified, resurrected Christ who is intimately involved with his church, represented by the golden lampstands. Many also emphasize the declaration of Christ as "the Alpha and the Omega," which affirms his divine sovereignty and eternal nature. The message is often seen as a source of comfort and encouragement to believers facing persecution, reminding them that their king is all-powerful and in control. Finally, a popular viewpoint, particularly within the futurist eschatological framework, is to see the chapter's command to write about "the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this," as an outline for the rest of Revelation. ImportanceRevelation 1 sets the stage for the rest of the Bible by revealing Jesus in his full power and glory, emphasizing his ultimate victory and control over all of history. It ties together all the major themes of scripture like creation, sin, and redemption; and shows how they lead to his final triumph over evil. Essentially, Revelation 1 reminds readers that even though the world seems chaotic and full of struggle, God has a plan, Christ is in charge, and everything is going to be alright in the end.