| Line 1: |
Line 1: |
| | The '''Gospel of Matthew''' is the first book in the [[New Testament]]. Perhaps due to its placement as first, and its completeness, it is the most popular of [[the Gospels]]. 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. The Gospel of Matthew includes 97% of the [[Gospel of Mark]], plus significant additions including post-[[Resurrection]] gatherings of [[the Apostles]] (chapter 28), more of Jesus's teachings (which are evenly interspersed among the material copied from Mark), and more background at the beginning (chapters 1 and 2).<ref>https://andynaselli.com/matthew-and-mark (showing graphically where Matthew inserted his own new material)</ref> As the most factually complete gospel by an eyewitness, it is ordered first among the four. It is the Gospel of Matthew that expressly mentions [[Bethlehem]] as the birthplace of Jesus.<ref>https://news.yahoo.com/jesus-really-born-bethlehem-why-200945326.html</ref> | | The '''Gospel of Matthew''' is the first book in the [[New Testament]]. Perhaps due to its placement as first, and its completeness, it is the most popular of [[the Gospels]]. 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. The Gospel of Matthew includes 97% of the [[Gospel of Mark]], plus significant additions including post-[[Resurrection]] gatherings of [[the Apostles]] (chapter 28), more of Jesus's teachings (which are evenly interspersed among the material copied from Mark), and more background at the beginning (chapters 1 and 2).<ref>https://andynaselli.com/matthew-and-mark (showing graphically where Matthew inserted his own new material)</ref> As the most factually complete gospel by an eyewitness, it is ordered first among the four. It is the Gospel of Matthew that expressly mentions [[Bethlehem]] as the birthplace of Jesus.<ref>https://news.yahoo.com/jesus-really-born-bethlehem-why-200945326.html</ref> |
| | | | |
| − | 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 shorter, 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. | + | 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 shorter, 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 a 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. |
| | | | |
| | The '''Gospel of Matthew''' ends with the [[Great Commission]], commanding those of Christian [[faith]] to baptize and evangelize all the peoples of the world: "And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen."<ref>{{bibleref|Matthew|28|18-20}} ([[KJV]]).</ref> The Gospel of Matthew also has a strong statement about the power of [[faith]]: Jesus "said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”<ref>{{bibleref|Matthew|17|20}} ([[ESV]]).</ref> | | The '''Gospel of Matthew''' ends with the [[Great Commission]], commanding those of Christian [[faith]] to baptize and evangelize all the peoples of the world: "And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen."<ref>{{bibleref|Matthew|28|18-20}} ([[KJV]]).</ref> The Gospel of Matthew also has a strong statement about the power of [[faith]]: Jesus "said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”<ref>{{bibleref|Matthew|17|20}} ([[ESV]]).</ref> |
| Line 18: |
Line 18: |
| | ==Authenticity== | | ==Authenticity== |
| | | | |
| − | The C.E. summarizes: "About the middle of the third century, the Gospel of Matthew was received by the whole Christian Church as a Divinely inspired document, and consequently as canonical. The testimony of Origen ("In Matt.", quoted by Eusebius, Church History III.25.4), of Eusebius (op. cit., III, xxiv, 5; xxv, 1), and of St. Jerome ("De Viris Ill.", iii, "Prolog. in Matt.,") are explicit in this respect. It might be added that this Gospel is found in the most ancient versions: Old Latin, Syriac, and Egyptian. Finally, it stands at the head of the Books of the New Testament in the Canon of the Council of Laodicea (363) and in that of St. Athanasius (326-73), and very probably it was in the last part of the Muratorian Canon. Furthermore, the canonicity of the Gospel of St. Matthew is accepted by the entire Christian world." <ref> Catholic Encyclopedia, Gospel of St. Matthew. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10057a.htm</ref> | + | The C.E. summarizes: "About the middle of the third century, the Gospel of Matthew was received by the whole Christian Church as a Divinely inspired document, and consequently as canonical. The testimony of Origen ("In Matt.", quoted by Eusebius, Church History III.25.4), of Eusebius (op. cit., III, xxiv, 5; xxv, 1), and of St. Jerome ("De Viris Ill.", iii, "Prolog. in Matt.,") are explicit in this respect. It might be added that this Gospel is found in the most ancient versions: Old Latin, Syriac, and Egyptian. Finally, it stands at the head of the Books of the New Testament in the Canon of the Council of Laodicea (363) and in that of St. Athanasius (326-73), and very probably it was in the last part of the Muratorian Canon. Furthermore, the canonicity of the Gospel of St. Matthew is accepted by the entire Christian world."<ref> Catholic Encyclopedia, Gospel of St. Matthew. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10057a.htm</ref> |
| | | | |
| | ==Audience and Purpose== | | ==Audience and Purpose== |
| | Matthew writes to [[Jew]]s, for the purpose of showing that Jesus is the [[Messiah]] who has come according to the Old Testament. | | Matthew writes to [[Jew]]s, for the purpose of showing that Jesus is the [[Messiah]] who has come according to the Old Testament. |
| | | | |
| − | In his attempt to convince Jews that Jesus was the Messiah, the first chapter traces the lineage of Jesus starting with [[Abraham]] (the father of the Jewish nation) through Joseph (Luke's lineage traces from Mary back through Abraham to Adam), he frequently uses Jewish terminology, and quotes the [[Old Testament]] (especially in regards to fulfillment of prophecy) no fewer than 65 times<ref> Gospel of St. Matthew, Introduction. Henry, Fr. Basil. https://stlukeanniston.org/files/Gospel-of-St.-Matthew---Introduction.pdf</ref>, including nine additional proof texts that the others Gospels do not. Matthew is also known for the use of sermons, such as the [[Sermon on the Mount]], which contribute to Matthew's size (it is the second longest of the Gospels behind only the [[Gospel of Luke]]). | + | In his attempt to convince Jews that Jesus was the Messiah, the first chapter traces the lineage of Jesus starting with [[Abraham]] (the father of the Jewish nation) through Joseph (Luke's lineage traces from Mary back through Abraham to Adam), he frequently uses Jewish terminology, and quotes the [[Old Testament]] (especially in regards to fulfillment of prophecy) no fewer than 65 times,<ref> Gospel of St. Matthew, Introduction. Henry, Fr. Basil. https://stlukeanniston.org/files/Gospel-of-St.-Matthew---Introduction.pdf</ref> including nine additional proof texts that the other Gospels do not. Matthew is also known for the use of sermons, such as the [[Sermon on the Mount]], which contribute to Matthew's size (it is the second longest of the Gospels behind only the [[Gospel of Luke]]). |
| | | | |
| | The Gospel of Matthew contains many parables based on [[economic]] principles, such as the parable of talents to illustrate [[opportunity cost]]s. {{bible ref|Matthew|25|14-30}} It was not until 1911 that economists taught the same principle. ''See'' [[Biblical scientific foreknowledge]]. | | The Gospel of Matthew contains many parables based on [[economic]] principles, such as the parable of talents to illustrate [[opportunity cost]]s. {{bible ref|Matthew|25|14-30}} It was not until 1911 that economists taught the same principle. ''See'' [[Biblical scientific foreknowledge]]. |
| Line 38: |
Line 38: |
| | | | |
| | ==Date== | | ==Date== |
| − | There are different thoughts on when it was written. If Mark was written first, then the Gospel of Matthew would necessarily have to have been written afterwards. | + | There are different thoughts on when it was written. If Mark had been written first, then the Gospel of Matthew must necessarily have been written afterward. |
| | | | |
| − | Scholars estimate that Matthew wrote his gospel in AD late 50s or early 60s. Church father Irenaeus commented that “Matthew also issued a written Gospel among the Hebrews in their own dialect, while Peter and Paul were preaching at [[Rome]], and laying the foundations of the Church.”<ref>https://biblearchaeologyreport.com/2019/02/15/the-earliest-new-testament-manuscripts/</ref> The deaths of Peter and Paul in Rome are well-document: AD 64 or 67 (Peter) and AD May or June 68 (Paul). | + | Scholars estimate that Matthew wrote his gospel in the late 50s or early 60s AD. Church father Irenaeus commented that “Matthew also issued a written Gospel among the Hebrews in their own dialect, while Peter and Paul were preaching at [[Rome]], and laying the foundations of the Church.”<ref>https://biblearchaeologyreport.com/2019/02/15/the-earliest-new-testament-manuscripts/</ref> The deaths of Peter and Paul in Rome are well-document: AD 64 or 67 (Peter) and AD May or June 68 (Paul). |
| | | | |
| − | Some believe that based on the Jewish character of Matthew, that it must have been written when the church was still mostly Jewish, and so they believe it was written in 50 or so and was the first gospel subsequently drawn upon by Mark and Luke. | + | Some believe that, based on the Jewish character of Matthew, it must have been written when the church was still mostly Jewish, and so they believe it was written in AD 50 or so and was the first gospel subsequently drawn upon by Mark and Luke. |
| | | | |
| | ==See also== | | ==See also== |