In this commentary we have endeavored to take the words of Matthew's gospel seriously and to see behind them a whole cultural, legal, and spiritual tradition growing around the belief that Israel was the chosen people of God and that the coming of the Messiah was the fulfillment of God's revelation of himself to men. This is the conviction with which the nascent Christian community met the world of its day, both Jewish and Greek, and there is no understanding...

Presents thirty-four lessons that cover the twenty-eight chapters of Matthew. Each chapter is summarized to provide historical and cultural background information and a question and answer section presents an opportunity for further discussion.-- From back cover.