Expositor's Bible: The Gospel of Matthew

In Short

This volume is part of a monumental series intended to bring modern critical insights and pastoral wisdom to the study of the Bible. It methodically traverses the Gospel of Matthew, unpacking the significance of Christ’s birth, his teachings, his miracles, and his ultimate passion. It endures as a specimen of late Victorian exegetical writing, valued for its clarity and its earnest attempt to reconcile the "stern, uncompromising" demands of the Gospel with the realities of human nature. By focusing on the "King" and the "Kingdom," the work remains a foundational resource for those interested in historical approaches to Christian scripture and the development of evangelical thought.

The Story

The narrative arc begins in the shadow of historical silence. Following the initial rumors of a Messiah’s birth, years pass in obscurity until a new voice cries out in the wilderness. The herald, John the Baptist, arrives as a sharp, ascetic contrast to the luxury and formalism of Jerusalem. His mission, initially met with massive public interest, is to prepare the way for the Lord. However, as the author observes, this movement toward light is met with increasing resistance. The Messiah, once revealed, begins his ministry by offering a radical reinterpretation of moral law—demanding a righteousness that transcends mere legal adherence and moves into the spirit of the heart.

As the King begins his work, the narrative shifts toward the "signs of the kingdom." Through a series of miracles—healing the leper, the paralytic, and the fever-stricken—the Savior manifests power over both physical suffering and the deeper, unseen disorder of sin. Yet, this ministry of mercy encounters a growing wall of unbelief. The author highlights the conflict between the Pharisees’ desire for heavenly "signs" and the reality of the compassionate works happening right before their eyes. This unbelief hardens into a bitter opposition, reaching a crisis point with the death of the Baptist, which the author views as a dark premonition of the cross.

The latter portion of the journey focuses on the training of the disciples. As the "shadow of the cross" lengthens, Christ increasingly turns his attention from the public to his chosen few. He teaches in parables, explaining the mysteries of the kingdom while warning against the hypocrisy of those who profess faith but fail to act. The arc reaches its climax as the King ascends to Jerusalem. The author portrays this final journey as a heroic act of will, noting the bewilderment of the disciples who, despite their devotion, cannot grasp the necessity of the coming suffering. The story concludes with the betrayal, the trial, and the final sacrifice, framing these events not as a defeat, but as the fulfillment of a divine, albeit sorrowful, plan that requires the believer to follow the path of self-denial.

How It Unfolds

The coming of the herald The narrative introduces the Baptist as a living protest against the worldliness of his age. His message draws multitudes to the wilderness, yet his influence wanes as the religious establishment refuses to accept his authentication of the Messiah.

The kingdom’s new law Christ delivers the Sermon on the Mount, moving beyond the letter of the law to its spirit. This section emphasizes that entering the kingdom requires a deeper, inward transformation rather than mere outward conformity.

The manifestation of power The account details a series of miracles that demonstrate Christ’s authority over sickness and the unseen world. Each miracle serves as a sign of his mission, intended to lead the people toward faith.

The rising shadow As opposition from the Pharisees intensifies, the narrative transitions to a period of discouragement. The death of the Baptist acts as a turning point, causing the focus to shift toward preparing the disciples for the coming passion.

The final journey The text describes the resolute march toward Jerusalem, where the King confronts his destiny. Even as his followers hesitate, the author underscores their loyalty and the necessary, if misunderstood, nature of the sacrifice that follows.

The People

The central figure, the King, is portrayed as both a compassionate healer and a righteous judge. His humanity is emphasized through his "sensitive heart" and his capacity for deep sorrow, yet his divinity is asserted through his authority over the forces of nature and his claim to absolute knowledge. He is not merely a teacher, but the embodiment of the kingdom he proclaims.

John the Baptist serves as the rugged, uncompromising herald. His character is defined by his radical honesty and his willingness to stand against the "luxury of the time." However, the author presents a humanized John—a man who, when imprisoned, experiences moments of doubt and impatience, questioning if his work was in vain. This vulnerability makes him a relatable figure whose eventual death marks the end of an era.

The disciples are the "children" of the story. They are marked by their absolute devotion to the King, which stands in contrast to their frequent failure to understand his teachings. Their progress is slow; they blunder in their speech and act with hesitation. Yet, their persistence in following the King into the "dark unknown" of Jerusalem illustrates the author’s view of faith as a process of learning, often despite one's own confusion.

The Pharisees and Scribes appear as the primary obstacles. They are characterized by their hypocrisy and their insistence on legalistic signs. Their desire to discredit the King is contrasted with the "publicans and harlots" who, through their willingness to repent, demonstrate a greater capacity for the kingdom than the self-complacent religious elite.

In Its Own Voice

"The coming of the kingdom was too gentle and too slow for the stern, impatient Baptist."

The author describes the internal conflict of the forerunner, who struggles to reconcile his expectations of a swift, fiery judgment with the patient reality of Christ’s ministry.

"Theirs was a righteousness as it were of the tips of the fingers, whereas He must have 'the whole body full of light'."

In explaining the contrast between Pharisaic legalism and Christ’s teaching, the author highlights the difference between external rule-following and the internal illumination of the soul.

"It remains to show how the offended person is to act on his part: forgive him."

This passage distills the author’s interpretation of Christ’s ethical instruction, emphasizing that the primary satisfaction for a believer should be the act of forgiveness itself.

What It's Really About

At its core, the work explores the transition from external, ritualistic religion to an inward, spiritual life. It posits that the kingdom of God is not a geopolitical entity but a state of the heart that demands total allegiance. The central conflict is between the "spirit of the age"—engrossed in material gain and intellectual skepticism—and the invitation to a life of self-denial and trust. The author argues that the demands of the Gospel are not holiday tasks but require a fundamental shift in character, moving from the narrow sphere of the letter to the "lofty region of the Spirit." It is a meditation on the cost of belief and the reality of a divine presence that refuses to be constrained by human categories or expectations.

Why Read It Today

Readers who appreciate historical theology will find this volume a rewarding study of how the nineteenth-century mind engaged with scripture. The prose is warm and measured, avoiding the frenetic pace of modern devotional writing in favor of a thoughtful, steady exploration of the text. The author’s ability to draw psychological depth from the characters—particularly the doubting John or the impulsive Peter—makes the ancient narrative feel unexpectedly human and near.

However, the reader should be prepared for the distinct tone of a Victorian-era academic. The writing is formal, and the author assumes a level of familiarity with contemporary religious debates of the 1890s that may require some adjustment. Additionally, while the analysis is consistently earnest, the text reflects the period's rigid, often polemical attitudes toward groups like the Pharisees or the Catholic Church, which modern readers might find jarring or overly simplified.

Despite these limitations, the book succeeds because of its focus on the "beauty" of the Gospel story. For those seeking to slow down and consider the ethical weight of the Christian tradition, the author provides a guide that is as intellectually rigorous as it is spiritually reflective. It leaves the reader with a clear sense of the "straitened way" the author describes, offering a quiet, disciplined perspective that stands in stark contrast to the noise of the contemporary world.