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| − | The '''Gospel of Matthew''' is the first book in the [[New Testament]]. It is one of four [[gospel]]s. It tells the story of the life of [[Jesus]] as conveyed by [[Matthew]], one of Jesus' [[disciples]]. Matthew is one of the [[synoptic gospels]], meaning part of the grouping of Matthew, [[Gospel of Mark|Mark]], and [[Luke]]. The three share a common structure which shows an interrelationship. It is generally believed today that Mark came first and Matthew and Luke borrowed his structure, but church tradition held that Matthew was first and some still follow this idea. There is reference by the church fathers to a gospel of Matthew originally being written in [[Aramaic]]. If this is the case, the original of that work has been lost to time. | + | The '''Gospel of Matthew''' is the first book in the [[New Testament]], as one of four [[gospel]]s. It tells the story of the life of [[Jesus]] as conveyed by [[Matthew]], a former tax collector and one of Jesus' [[disciples]]. Several of the parables recounted in this Gospel rely on [[economics|economic]] principles. |
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| | + | The Gospel of Matthew is one of the [[synoptic gospels]], meaning that it is written in a narrative style and has similarities to the Gospels of [[Gospel of Mark|Mark]], and [[Gospel of Luke|Luke]]. The three share a common structure which shows an interrelationship. It is generally believed today that the simpler Gospel of Mark came first, and then Matthew and Luke benefited from having seen that Gospel before completing their own. But church tradition held that Matthew came first and some still support that sequence. There is reference by the church fathers to a Gospel of Matthew originally being written in [[Aramaic]], perhaps based on a theory that Jesus taught in Aramaic rather than Greek. But no Aramaic original for the Gospel of Matthew has ever been found, so it appears likely it was initially written in Greek which an educated former tax collector could surely have done. |
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| | The '''Gospel of Matthew''' ends with the [[Great Commission]], imploring those of [[faith]] to evangelize all the peoples of the world. | | The '''Gospel of Matthew''' ends with the [[Great Commission]], imploring those of [[faith]] to evangelize all the peoples of the world. |
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| | The Gospel of Matthew does not name its author, but the ancient church fathers were unanimous that the author was Jesus' disciple Matthew. Mark and Luke both use the name [[Levi]], Matthew's other name, but the book of Matthew does not. | | The Gospel of Matthew does not name its author, but the ancient church fathers were unanimous that the author was Jesus' disciple Matthew. Mark and Luke both use the name [[Levi]], Matthew's other name, but the book of Matthew does not. |
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| − | ==Written to== | + | ==Audience== |
| − | Matthew writes to [[Jew]]s. He has more quotations from the [[Old Testament]] than any other gospel, uses Jewish terminology, and traces the lineage of Jesus back to [[Abraham]]. | + | Matthew writes to [[Jew]]s. He has more quotations from the [[Old Testament]] than any other gospel, he uses Jewish terminology, and he traces the lineage of Jesus back to [[Abraham]]. |
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| | ==Place of Writing== | | ==Place of Writing== |