MATTHEW’S GOSPEL HAS HELD a special place in my life for over twenty-five years. The last five years in particular have been the most rewarding. Writing a commentary of this nature, with the three sections—Original Meaning, Bridging Contexts, and Contemporary Significance—has been like writing three commentaries at once. But that is the brilliance of this commentary series and the impact that writing the commentary has had on me personally. As I have walked with Jesus in his first-century historical setting through Matthew’s meticulous written reflections, as I have been instructed through Matthew’s theological intentions for his community, and as I have opened myself to allow Matthew’s insights to Jesus’ identity and mission to penetrate to my heart, soul, mind, and strength, I have been changed.
The experience of writing this commentary has been one of the most deeply enriching spiritual experiences of my life. Hearing Jesus’ teaching in his discourses, especially the Sermon on the Mount, has molded my worldview, my theology, and my ethical life as I try to follow the principles of the kingdom of heaven. Watching Jesus’ ministry unfold among his closest followers, to the distantly interested, and toward the intensely antagonistic has shaped the way I deal with people. In particular, entering into Jesus’ passion experience of his final days on earth and into those final hours on the cross has impacted me intensely. Matthew took me to Jesus’ heart on the cross, and my own heart broke, and yet was uniquely mended, as Jesus expended his atoning sacrifice for humanity’s sin.
I also thank a host of people who have made this possible. I thank executive editor Jack Kuhatschek at Zondervan for the invitation to write this commentary and for his patience as the years stretched out for me to finish it. You are a gracious, gentle, yet highly motivated leader, Jack; thank you. I thank you, Terry Muck, for your supervision, and Scot McKnight, for your careful reading of the manuscript. Verlyn Verbrugge, hands-on senior editor who so diligently expends his vast New Testament expertise and technical knowledge, thank you for your support, encouragement, and desire to help authors bring to fruition their years of labor. I appreciate my association with Zondervan. I thank especially Stan Gundry for providing the diligent top leadership as editor-in-chief, Joyce Ondersma for the loving care of the authors, and Jack Kragt for advancing our life’s work. Together you all have made Zondervan, in my view, the premier evangelical publishing house. It is an honor to be associated with you.
I also thank my colleagues—the faculty, administration, staff, and students—at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, for your gracious support. You have heard me teach, preach, and reflect on Matthew for many years. Thank you for believing in me and supporting my writing. To name any would leave some out, so I can only say thank you collectively to all of you. If there is one exception, it is to Dennis Dirks, my fellow dean, who has sacrificed the most personally to support me so that I can carry out my own calling. You are the epitome of what many today blather about—servant leadership. Thank you, dear friend.
My research assistants over the years have provided substantial support in gathering bibliography, tracking down resources, and assisting me in exploring technical themes in Matthew’s Gospel. I especially acknowledge Todd Wendorff, Gary Manning, Ray Bonesteele, Mark Fender, Steve Earle, Marcus Choi, Betty Talbert-Wetler, and Aaron Devine. Esther Sunukjian compiled the Scripture index. To those I have overlooked, please excuse me, but know that you have contributed significantly.
My final and most climactic thanks go to my family. Of all of the Gospels, Matthew’s extends the most significant place to the family—both ecclesial and biological. For most of the years I wrote this commentary, I was honored to be on the adult pastoral staff part-time at San Clemente Presbyterian Church, San Clemente, California. You heard me teach and preach on Matthew’s Gospel many, many times. You always supported and encouraged me to be rigorous academically and radical practically. Thank you.
And for all of these years, I was privileged to have a wife, children, parental figures, and a host of extended family who helped me to understand and apply what Matthew teaches. Thank you all—especially to our daughter Wendy, daughter Michelle and her husband, Dan, and their baby, Melia Noël, born just this week—thank you for allowing me to grow as a father and now grandfather. And to my wife, Lynne—we have grown together in Jesus as we have tried to raise our family for him, and we continue to walk together even more intimately as Jesus leads us into this next wonderful phase of our lives together. Thank you, my dear wife and friend, for the support that you always give in helping me to balance life and for the incredible joy that you bring to my life daily.
Michael J. Wilkins
Talbot School of Theology,
Biola University