Abstract:
The narrative background of the Pharisees’ decision to kill Jesus, as Matthew presents it, shows the reasons for the change of God’s route from a part of Israel towards the Pagans. It need not have been that route as the entire people of Israel, as promised to Abraham, could have delivered salvation to the Pagans (Mt 1,1; 3,8n; Ch 12,1-3). However, the activity of the Jewish elites resulted in the rise of Jesus’ true family; a group of his disciples who stood by him and who were always protected by His helping hand. It follows the will of the heavenly Father, which was initially fulfilled by Jesus through his obedience to God the Father (26,42). To ensure that this will is effectively fulfilled, the disciples and the Church pray in Paternoster (6,10), whereas whether or not it is followed in practice will be judged on the Judgement Day by the same Son of Man who will judge the unfaithful part of Israel. (7,21-23). For Matthew, the essence of truth and God’s will is Love, which will – paradoxically – be the cause of the schism among the people of Israel.