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[[File:512px-The Apostle Matthew.jpg|thumbnail|250px|right|Painting of [[Saint Matthew|Matthew the Apostle]] ]]

[[File:512px-The Apostle Matthew.jpg|thumbnail|250px|right|Painting of [[Saint Matthew|Matthew the Apostle]] ]]

The '''Gospel of Matthew''' is the first book in the [[New Testament]]. All the Early [[Church Fathers]] unanimously agreed that it was written by [[Saint Matthew|Matthew the Apostle]].<ref>https://onepeterfive.com/matthew-first-dates-gospels/</ref> [[The Gospels]]. They are deemed equal without ranking,<ref>There is no record of when or why the [[Gospel of Matthew]] was placed first, and it need not be.</ref> and each is as strong today as 2,000 years ago.

The '''Gospel of Matthew''' is the first book in the [[New Testament]]. All the Early [[Church Fathers]] unanimously agreed that it was written by [[Saint Matthew|Matthew the Apostle]].<ref>https://onepeterfive.com/matthew-first-dates-gospels/</ref> [[The Gospels]]. [[The Gospels]] are deemed equal without ranking,<ref>There is no record of when or why the [[Gospel of Matthew]] was placed first, and it need not be.</ref> and each is as strong today as 2,000 years ago.

This biblical book portrays [[Jesus Christ]] as the [[Messiah]], the King of the [[Jews]], Son of [[David]] and [[Abraham]] (which is required of the Messiah) and a fulfillment of [[Old Testament]] [[Bible prophecy|prophecies]]. It emphasizes Jesus' identity as the Son of David and Abraham, showcasing his lineage as the true heir to the throne and a blessing to all nations. The gospel provides details of Jesus' birth, ministry, teachings, death, and [[Resurrection of Jesus Christ|resurrection]]. Matthew also highlights Jesus' righteous life and that he established a new [[covenant]] with [[God]] through his death and resurrection. It also highlights his unique and vital role in God's plan for [[salvation]].<ref>[https://enterthebible.org/courses/matthew/lessons/summary-of-matthew#:~:text=The%20Gospel%20of%20Matthew%20proclaims,of%20Jesus%20to%20all%20nations. Summary of the Gospel Of Matthew]</ref>

This biblical book portrays [[Jesus Christ]] as the [[Messiah]], the King of the [[Jews]], Son of [[David]] and [[Abraham]] (which is required of the Messiah) and a fulfillment of [[Old Testament]] [[Bible prophecy|prophecies]]. It emphasizes Jesus' identity as the Son of David and Abraham, showcasing his lineage as the true heir to the throne and a blessing to all nations. The gospel provides details of Jesus' birth, ministry, teachings, death, and [[Resurrection of Jesus Christ|resurrection]]. Matthew also highlights Jesus' righteous life and that He established a new [[covenant]] with [[God]] through his death and resurrection. It also highlights his unique and vital role in God's plan for [[salvation]].<ref>[https://enterthebible.org/courses/matthew/lessons/summary-of-matthew#:~:text=The%20Gospel%20of%20Matthew%20proclaims,of%20Jesus%20to%20all%20nations. Summary of the Gospel Of Matthew]</ref>

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' 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>

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' 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 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 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>

The Gospel of Matthew contains more provincialism than the other [[Gospels]]: only in the Gospel of Matthew is [[Jesus]] described as initially advising against entering a [[Samaritan]] village or mingling with [[Gentiles]], at {{bibleref|Matthew|10|5}}, and only in this Gospel is Jesus quoted early in his ministry as saying, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” {{bibleref|Matthew|15|24}}  Matthew omits the [[Washing of the feet]], as that may not have helped convert his [[Jewish]] audience to [[Christianity]].

The Gospel of Matthew contains more provincialism than the other [[Gospels]]: only in the Gospel of Matthew is [[Jesus]] described as initially advising against entering a [[Samaritan]] village or mingling with [[Gentiles]], at {{bibleref|Matthew|10|5}}, and only in this Gospel is Jesus quoted early in his ministry as saying, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” {{bibleref|Matthew|15|24}}  Matthew omits the [[Washing of the feet]], as that may not have helped convert his [[Jewish]] audience to [[Christianity]].

Archbishop [[Saint John_Chrysostom|St. John Chrysostom of Constantinople]] gives an additional reason why Four Evangelists wrote, rather than just one. "5. And why can it have been, that when there were so many disciples, two write only from among the apostles, and two from among their followers? (For one that was a disciple of Paul [i.e. Luke], and another of Peter [i.e. Mark], together with Matthew and John, wrote the Gospels.) It was because they did nothing for vainglory, but all things for use. What then? Was not one evangelist sufficient to tell all? One indeed was sufficient; but if there be four that write, not at the same times, nor in the same places, neither after having met together, and conversed one with another, and then they speak all things as it were out of one mouth, this becomes a very great demonstration of the truth."<ref>Homily 1 on Matthew, Saint John Chrysostom: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/200101.htm</ref> This is in accord with the ancient Biblical principle that "at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established" (Deut 19:15).

Archbishop [[Saint John_Chrysostom|St. John Chrysostom of Constantinople]] gives an additional reason why Four Evangelists wrote, rather than just one. "5. And why can it have been, that when there were so many disciples, two write only from among the apostles, and two from among their followers? (For one that was a disciple of Paul [i.e. Luke], and another of Peter [i.e. Mark], together with Matthew and John, wrote the Gospels.) It was because they did nothing for vainglory, but all things for use. What then? Was not one evangelist sufficient to tell all? One indeed was sufficient; but if there be four that write, not at the same times, nor in the same places, neither after having met together, and conversed one with another, and then they speak all things as it were out of one mouth, this becomes a very great demonstration of the truth."<ref>Homily 1 on Matthew, Saint John Chrysostom: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/200101.htm</ref> This is in accord with the ancient Biblical principle that "at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established" (Deut 19:15).

The Church Father [[Saint Jerome]] wrote: "Matthew, also called Levi, apostle and aforetimes publican, composed a gospel of Christ at first published in Judea in Hebrew for the sake of those of the circumcision who believed, but this was afterwards translated into Greek, though by what author is uncertain. The Hebrew itself has been preserved until the present day in the library at Cæsarea which Pamphilus so diligently gathered. I have also had the opportunity of having the volume described to me by the Nazarenes of Berœa, a city of Syria, who use it. In this it is to be noted that wherever the Evangelist, whether on his own account or in the person of our Lord the Saviour quotes the testimony of the Old Testament he does not follow the authority of the translators of the Septuagint but the Hebrew. Wherefore these two forms exist Out of Egypt have I called my son, and for he shall be called a Nazarene."<ref> De Viris Illustribus, 3:1 (On Illustrious Men), St. Jerome https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/2708.htm </ref>

The Church Father [[Saint Jerome]] wrote: "Matthew, also called Levi, apostle and aforetimes publican, composed a gospel of Christ at first published in Judea in Hebrew for the sake of those of the circumcision who believed, but this was afterwards translated into Greek, though by what author is uncertain. The Hebrew itself has been preserved until the present day in the library at Cæsarea which Pamphilus so diligently gathered. I have also had the opportunity of having the volume described to me by the Nazarenes of Berœa, a city of Syria, who use it. In this it is to be noted that wherever the Evangelist, whether on his own account or in the person of our Lord the Saviour, quotes the testimony of the [[Old Testament]] he does not follow the authority of the translators of the Septuagint but the Hebrew. Wherefore these two forms exist Out of Egypt have I called my son, and for he shall be called a Nazarene."<ref> De Viris Illustribus, 3:1 (On Illustrious Men), St. Jerome https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/2708.htm </ref>

==Authenticity==

==Authenticity==

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 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]]).

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 with regard 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]].