Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Book: Matthew
Chapters: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 13 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 17 · 18 · 19 · 20 · 21 · 22 · 23 · 24 · 25 · 26 · 27 · 28 ·

Matthew, surnamed Levi, before his Conversion was a Publican,
or tax-gatherer under the Romans at Capernaum. He is generally
allowed to have written his Gospel before any other of the
evangelists. The contents of this Gospel, and the evidence of
ancient writers, show that it was written primarily for the use
of the Jewish nation. The fulfilment of Prophecy was regarded By
the Jews as strong evidence, therefore this is especially dwelt
upon By St. Matthew. Here are particularly selected such parts
of our Saviour's history and discourses as were best suited to
awaken the Jewish nation to a sense of their sins; to remove
their erroneous expectations of an earthly kingdom; to abate
their pride and self-conceit; to teach them the spiritual nature
and extent of the Gospel; and to prepare them for the admission
of the Gentiles into the Church.