Gospel of Matthew

Gospel of Matthew
Name	Gospel of Matthew
Previous	Malachi
Next	Gospel of Mark
Testament	New Testament
Genre	Gospel
Chapters	28

Gospel of Matthew. The first book of the New Testament and one of the three Synoptic Gospels, it is a foundational text of Christianity that presents Jesus as the promised Messiah of the Old Testament. Traditionally attributed to the apostle Matthew the Evangelist, it is characterized by its structured teachings, emphasis on kingdom ethics, and frequent citation of Jewish scripture. Its narrative spans from the genealogy and birth of Jesus through to his crucifixion and resurrection.

Composition and authorship

The text is formally anonymous, with the title "According to Matthew" appearing in later manuscripts. Early Christian tradition, attested by figures like Papias of Hierapolis and Irenaeus, identified the author as the apostle Matthew the Evangelist, a former tax collector mentioned within the narrative. Most modern scholarship, however, dates its composition between 80-90 AD, after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD, based on its thematic concerns. The work is considered by many scholars to be dependent on the earlier Gospel of Mark and a hypothetical collection of sayings known as the Q source. The likely place of composition is Antioch, a major center of early Jewish-Christian and Gentile interaction.

Structure and content

The narrative is meticulously organized into five major discourses, each concluding with the phrase "when Jesus had finished," potentially mirroring the five books of the Torah. These discourses include the Sermon on the Mount, the Missionary Discourse, the Parabolic Discourse, the Discourse on the Church, and the Olivet Discourse. Key narrative sections encompass the infancy narrative with the Magi and Flight into Egypt, the baptism and temptation, the ministry of Jesus in Galilee and Jerusalem, and the Passion culminating in the Great Commission. Notable parables unique to this account include the Parable of the Weeds and the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats.

Theology and themes

A central theological aim is to demonstrate Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, frequently employing formula quotations such as "this was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet." Jesus is portrayed as the authoritative teacher of the Law of Moses, a new Moses delivering a new law from a mountain, and as Emmanuel meaning "God with us." The concept of the Kingdom of Heaven is paramount, with strong ethical teachings on righteousness, mercy, and final judgment. The text also develops a distinctive ecclesiology, featuring the first use of the word "church" (ekklesia) in the gospels and instructions for community discipline.

Relationship to other gospels

Along with the Gospel of Mark and the Gospel of Luke, it is categorized as a Synoptic Gospel due to their substantial overlapping content. The widely accepted Two-source hypothesis posits that the author used Mark as a narrative source and the Q source for sayings material. Significant material unique to this gospel, termed M-source, includes the infancy narratives, several parables, and the account of Peter walking on water. Its relationship to the Gospel of John is more distant, as John shares little direct narrative or discourse material with the Synoptics.

Historical context and audience

The text reflects a period of tension and separation between emerging Christianity and formative Judaism, particularly after the First Jewish–Roman War. Its audience appears to be a predominantly Jewish-Christian community engaged in debate with Pharisaic Judaism, as seen in sharp critiques like the Woes of the Pharisees. References to the Sanhedrin and synagogue discipline suggest a setting where the community is defining itself against other Jewish groups. The inclusion of Gentiles, such as the Magi and the Roman centurion at the crucifixion, indicates an evolving mission beyond a strictly Jewish audience.

Manuscript tradition and textual history

The original Greek text is well-attested in major early manuscripts including the Codex Vaticanus, the Codex Sinaiticus, and the Codex Ephraemi Rescriptus. Important early translations include the Vetus Latina and the Syriac Sinaiticus. The most famous and influential translation was into Latin by Jerome, forming part of the Vulgate. Textual variants are relatively minor, with notable passages like the Comma Johanneum not present in its earliest forms; its concluding verses, the Great Commission, are considered original by most textual critics. The gospel has been a primary subject of commentary by theologians from Origen and John Chrysostom to Thomas Aquinas and Martin Luther.

Category:New Testament books Category:Gospels