Ordering the Gospels
Ordering the Gospels is an issue worth revisiting, because the current order is based on at least two historical misunderstandings:[1]
- that the Gospel of Mark relied on the Gospel of Matthew, when basic analysis shows the opposite to have been true;[2]
- that the Gospel of Matthew was originally written in Hebrew or Aramaic, which modern scholars, often prone to liberal bias in contradicting the apostolic record of the ante-Nicene Fathers, reject while observing that its terminology is uniquely Greek (such as his use of "hypocrite"[3])
The Church Fathers are clear that Matthew wrote first: "External evidence is absolutely demonstrative that St. Matthew the Apostle himself wrote the Gospel of Matthew, wrote first, and wrote well before the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in A.D. 70. This is attested to by Bishop Saint Papias, who knew St. John the Apostle; Tertullian in Africa; Saint Irenaeus, who was bishop of Lyons in Europe but well acquainted with the Tradition of the East, having spent a significant time in Asia; and several other witnesses. Thus we have the unanimous witness of three whole continents and virtually the entire early Christian world that Saint Matthew the Apostle is the first of the Evangelists and wrote his Gospel well before 70 A.D." [4]
References
- ↑ Saydon, P. P. The Order of the Gospels, pp. 190b–96. Biblical Studies. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
- ↑ Luke's ordering of events corresponds that of Mark's, while Matthew's record differs greatly. If Matthew's Gospel was written first, then either Mark copied also from Luke or Luke from Mark, which relies on unsubstantiated theories. Occam's razor favors Markan priority—more likely, Mark wrote his Gospel first, and Matthew and Luke copied from his account separately.
- ↑ See, e.g., Matt. 23:13-30; 6:2, 5, 16 Biblical vocabulary.
- ↑ https://onepeterfive.com/matthew-first-dates-gospels/