Includes bibliographical references (pages xxix-lxiv) and indexes.

Introduction : the structure of Matthew -- Galilee and Jerusalem -- The Matthean discourses -- Fulfillment -- the "formula-quotations" -- Who? where? when? how? some broad proposals on the provenance of the "Gospel of Matthew" -- Commentary : introducing the Messiah (1:1-4:11) -- Galilee : the Messiah revealed in word and deed (4:12-16:20) -- From Galilee to Jerusalem : the Messiah and his followers prepare for the confrontation (16:21-20:34) -- Jerusalem : the Messiah in confrontation with the religious authorities (21:1-25:46) -- Jerusalem : the Messiah rejected, killed, and vindicated (26:1-28:15) -- Galilee : the Messianic mission is launched (28:16-20).

This masterful commentary on Matthew by R.T. France focuses on exegesis of Matthew's text as it stands rather than on the prehistory of the material or details of Synoptic comparison. The exegesis of each section is part of a planned literary whole supplemented, rather than controlled, by verse-by-verse commentary, allowing the text as a complete story to come into focus.