And what was his purpose in writing it? To prove that Jesus Christ was indeed the Messiah. This is borne out by his making some hundred references to the Hebrew Scriptures. In particular does he make a point of showing how Jesus fulfilled those Scriptures, from his quoting of Isaiah 7:14 regarding Jesus’ being born of a virgin down to his quoting of Zechariah 11:13 in connection with Jesus’ being betrayed for thirty pieces of silver.​—Matt. 1:23; 27:9.

Apparently Matthew felt it urgent to get down all the facts supporting the truth that Jesus was the Messiah; he could appreciate what a great help this would be in carrying out Jesus’ commission to make disciples in all the nations, baptizing them.

THEME OF MATTHEW DEVELOPS

Matthew’s theme being that Jesus is the Messiah, his account at once comes to that point. The Messiah had to be a descendant of Abraham and David, as well as the Son of God, in view of God’s promises to those faithful servants of his. (Gen. 22:15-18; 2 Sam. 7:8-16) These points Matthew establishes in his first two chapters 1-2.