Which statement best expresses Matthew's attitude toward Christianity and Judaism?

Which statement best expresses Matthew's attitude toward Christianity and Judaism?

• A. A close relationship between Christian faith and Jewish tradition
• B. The continuity between Christianity and Judaism
• C. An outright replacement of Judaism with Christianity
• D. The separation of Christianity from Judaism

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is continuity: Matthew presents Christianity as arising from Judaism and as the fulfillment of Jewish promises, not as a separate break from Jewish tradition. In Matthew, Jesus is firmly rooted in a Jewish setting. The gospel opens with a genealogy tracing Jesus to Abraham and David, underscoring his place within the Jewish story. Jesus often interprets the Law and the Prophets in ways that deepen their meaning rather than discard them, and he asserts that he comes to fulfill the Law, not abolish it. This framing shows that Christian faith emerges from within Judaism and continues its covenantal thread, even as it expands the scope to include all nations. The mission to the Gentiles later in Matthew expands the community, but it does not negate the Jewish roots; it completes the story of God’s people rather than replacing them. The other options don’t fit as well. Speaking of a replacement would imply erasing Judaism, which Matthew’s presentation of Jesus and his use of Scripture strongly resists. Suggesting separation would ignore the clear ties to Jewish scripture, worship, and expectation that Matthew keeps foregrounded. A phrase about a close relationship is on the right track, but “continuity” best captures the sense that Christian faith fulfills and extends Judaism rather than standing apart from it.

The main idea here is continuity: Matthew presents Christianity as arising from Judaism and as the fulfillment of Jewish promises, not as a separate break from Jewish tradition.

In Matthew, Jesus is firmly rooted in a Jewish setting. The gospel opens with a genealogy tracing Jesus to Abraham and David, underscoring his place within the Jewish story. Jesus often interprets the Law and the Prophets in ways that deepen their meaning rather than discard them, and he asserts that he comes to fulfill the Law, not abolish it. This framing shows that Christian faith emerges from within Judaism and continues its covenantal thread, even as it expands the scope to include all nations. The mission to the Gentiles later in Matthew expands the community, but it does not negate the Jewish roots; it completes the story of God’s people rather than replacing them.

The other options don’t fit as well. Speaking of a replacement would imply erasing Judaism, which Matthew’s presentation of Jesus and his use of Scripture strongly resists. Suggesting separation would ignore the clear ties to Jewish scripture, worship, and expectation that Matthew keeps foregrounded. A phrase about a close relationship is on the right track, but “continuity” best captures the sense that Christian faith fulfills and extends Judaism rather than standing apart from it.