The Matthean Gospel was written in a social context where the Jewish community was still under oppression by the Romans and this relatively new emerging following of Jesus was beginning to fade. The followers of Jesus were a marginalized group and caused tension even between various sects of Judaism, most notably the Pharisees. Matthew’s portrayal of Jesus is that of a “rabbi” or “teacher” (White 312). Jesus followed the laws of the Torah and taught his followers to discern the Torah and follow it passionately. Apocalyptic themes arise when Jesus tells his followers to listen to what the Pharisees teach them, but not to follow what they do because they are hypocrites. This leads into the apocalyptic teachings within chapters 24 and 25. The end of chapter 24 contains the Parable of the Faithful Servant where the author of Matthew alludes to the Matthean community having a responsibility to keep the followers of Jesus faithful until his impending return (Brettler & Levine 47). Chapter 25 concludes with the final judgment, that of which is more explicit than the previous allegorical chapters. Jesus’ apocalyptic teaching is focused on an eternal hell if one lacks to be a rigorous observant of the law, almost as if the author is trying to instill fear into the Gentile or Jewish followers of Christ that are ambivalent within the Jesus culture that is slowly marginalizing. The apocalyptic tone of Matthew’s Gospel reflects the social setting of the Matthean community, a Jewish audience who is still awaiting the return of Jesus and have seen no signs of this. This particular apocalyptic tone works to hold the Matthean community accountable for their observance of the law and tells them to not practice the law like their rivaling sects because they are hypocrites.