While Mark's gospel was written to the Romans, Luke's gospel was written to the Greeks, and John's gospel was written to all gentile believers.
The gospel of Matthew was written to Jews to point them to Christ their long-awaited Messiah.
How do we know this? Matthew begins with the genealogy of Jesus.
Not just any genealogy but one that points back to king David.
Why would this be important to someone who was Jewish? Because Jews believed that the Messiah would come from the Davidic line.
Matthew begins with this genealogy to prove that Jesus is a blood descendant of this line or as Matthew addresses him, the Son of David.
He will repeat this declaration throughout his Gospel.
Matthew also uses Old Testament promises and prophecy to prove that Jesus was the Messiah.
In fact, of all the gospels Matthew uses more Old Testament scripture than the other three gospels.
Again, Matthew's audience was well versed in scripture and Matthew uses it to prove his point.
Matthew also uses a great deal of Jewish terminology.
For example: "the kingdom of heaven" this is a synonym for "the kingdom of God.
" This is something that they would understand.
Out of reverence Jews would not say the name God directly.
Matthew will go on to mention the kingdom of heaven/kingdom of God twice as often than the other three gospels.
Matthew also depicts Jesus as a king.
Why would he do that? Because the Jews were not only awaiting a Messiah, but this Messiah would also come as a king and it was believed he would deliver his chosen people from their enemies and would reign supreme.
Other examples: The kingly line of David in the genealogy is designed to demonstrate Jesus' credentials as king.
The wise men that came bearing gifts for a child that was to be king.
His triumphal entry into Jerusalem depicted as a king.
Standing before Pilate he accepts he accepts the name of king.
This title was nailed on the cross even though it was in a mocking way.
As you can see there is an obvious Jewishness to this gospel, but it is also universal in scope in regards to the gospel message.
Matthew was writing to believing Jews to strengthen their faith and to non-believing Jews to prove that Jesus was the Jewish nations long-awaited king and Messiah.