Gospel Of Matthew
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The Gospel of Matthew is the first book of the New Testament and one of the four canonical gospels. Traditionally attributed to Matthew, also known as Levi, a tax collector and one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ, this gospel is a foundational text for understanding the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus. It is particularly noted for its emphasis on Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and its presentation of Jesus as the promised Messiah and King.

Authorship and Date

The early church unanimously attributed the Gospel of Matthew to the apostle Matthew. Although the exact date of composition is debated, many scholars suggest it was written between AD 50 and 70. The gospel's Jewish perspective and its focus on the fulfillment of prophecy suggest it was intended for a Jewish-Christian audience.

Structure and Content

The Gospel of Matthew is structured around five major discourses, which some scholars see as a parallel to the five books of the Torah. These discourses include the Sermon on the Mount (Chapters 5-7), the Mission Discourse (Chapter 10), the Parables of the Kingdom (Chapter 13), the Discourse on the Church (Chapter 18), and the Olivet Discourse (Chapters 24-25).

Key Themes

1. Fulfillment of Prophecy: Matthew frequently cites Old Testament prophecies to demonstrate that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah. For example, Matthew 1:22-23 states, "All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel' (which means, 'God with us')."

2. The Kingdom of Heaven: Unique to Matthew is the phrase "kingdom of heaven," which appears 32 times. This concept is central to Jesus' teaching and reflects the gospel's emphasis on the spiritual reign of God inaugurated by Christ.

3. Jesus as the New Moses: Matthew presents Jesus as a new and greater Moses, who delivers His people and provides authoritative teaching. This is evident in the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus expounds on the Law with divine authority.

4. Righteousness and the Law: Matthew emphasizes a righteousness that surpasses that of the Pharisees, focusing on the heart's intent rather than mere external compliance. In Matthew 5:20, Jesus declares, "For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

5. The Church and Community: Matthew is the only gospel to use the term "church" (Greek: ekklesia). In Matthew 16:18, Jesus says, "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it."

Distinctive Features

· Genealogy of Jesus: Matthew begins with a genealogy tracing Jesus' lineage from Abraham through David, emphasizing His rightful place in Jewish history and His fulfillment of the Davidic covenant (Matthew 1:1-17).

· The Great Commission: The gospel concludes with the Great Commission, where Jesus commands His disciples to "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19).

· Emphasis on Teaching: Matthew contains more of Jesus' teachings than any other gospel, highlighting His role as a teacher and interpreter of the Law.

Theological Significance

The Gospel of Matthew is a vital text for understanding the continuity between the Old and New Testaments. It presents Jesus as the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel and underscores His authority as the Messiah. Through its rich teachings and emphasis on discipleship, Matthew provides a comprehensive guide for living out the Christian faith in anticipation of the kingdom of heaven.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Gospel Of Matthew

  1. Its authorship . --That this Gospel was written by the apostle Matthew there is no reason to doubt. Seventeen independent witnesses of the first four centuries attest its genuineness.
  2. Its original language . --The testimony of the early Church is unanimous that Matthew wrote originally in the Hebrew language. On the otherhand doubt is thrown over this opinion, both statements of by an examination of the fathers and by a consideration of peculiar forms of language employed in the Gospel itself. The question is unsettled, the best scholars not agreeing in their Judgment concerning it. If there was a Hebrew original, it disappeared at a very early age. The Greek Gospel which we now possess was it is almost certain, written in Matthew's lifetime; and it is not at all improbable that he wrote the Gospel in both the Greek and Hebrew languages. --Lyman Abbolt. It is almost certain that our Lord spoke in Greek with foreigners, but with his disciples and the Jewish people in Aramaic (a form of language closely allied to the Hebrew). --Schaff. The Jewish historian Josephus furnishes an illustration of the fate of the Hebrew original of Matthew. Josephus himself informs us that he, wrote his great work "The History of the Jewish Wars," originally in Hebrew, his native tongue, for the benefit of his own nation, and he afterward translated it into Greek. No notices of the Hebrew original now survive. --Professor D.S. Gregory.
  3. The date .-- The testimony of the early Church is unanimous that Matthew wrote first of the early Church is among the evangelists. Irenieus relates that Matthew wrote his Gospel while Peter and Paul were preaching, and founding the Church at Rome, after A.D. 61. It was published before the destruction of Jerusalem, A.D. 50.--Alford. We would place our present Gospel between A.D. 60 and 66. If there was an original Hebrew Gospel, an earlier date belongs to it --Ellicott.
  4. Its object .-- This Gospel was probably written in Palestine for Jewish Christians. It is an historical proof that Jesus is the Messiah. Matthew is the Gospel for the Jew. It is the Gospel of Jesus, the Messiah of the prophets. This Gospel takes the life of Jesus as it was lived on earth, and his character as it actually appeared, and places them alongside the life and character of the Messiah as sketched in the prophets, the historic by the side of the Prophetic, that the two may appear in their marvellous unity and in their perfect identity. --Professor Gregory.
Library

Origen's Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew
Origen's Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew. <. Origen's Commentary on
the Gospel of Matthew Origen. Table of Contents. Title Page. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/

The Gospel of Matthew
... The Gospel of Matthew. CONTENTS [1] The Gospel of Matthew may be divided
into five parts: I. The Advent of the Messiah, 1: 1-4: 11. ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the gospel of matthew.htm

The Gospel of Matthew
... The Gospel of Matthew. Matthew's Gospel breaks the long silence that followed
the ministry of Malachi the last of the Old Testament prophets. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/why four gospels/the gospel of matthew.htm

From the Second Book of the Commentary on the Gospel According to ...
Origen's Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew. <. ... Origen's Commentary
on the Gospel of Matthew. by John Patrick, DD From ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/from the second book of.htm

Origen's Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew
Origen's Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew. <. ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/title page.htm

After These Assertions, He Takes from the Gospel of Matthew...
... Chapter XL. After these assertions, he takes from the Gospel of Matthew?
After these assertions, he takes from the Gospel of Matthew ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xl after these assertions.htm

The Pearl of the Gospel in Relation to the Old Testament.
Origen's Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew. <. ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/10 the pearl of the.htm

The Promise Given to Peter not Restricted to Him, but Applicable ...
Origen's Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew. <. ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/11 the promise given to.htm

Things Clean and Unclean According to the Law and the Gospel.
Origen's Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew. <. ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/12 things clean and unclean.htm

How Jesus Finished his Words.
Origen's Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew. <. ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/14 how jesus finished his.htm

Resources
What is the Gospel of Peter? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to be gospel-centered? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Gospel of Judas? | GotQuestions.org

Gospel: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Gospel

Gospel According To the Hebrews

Gospel Of John

Gospel Of Luke

Gospel Of Mark

Gospel Of Matthew

Gospel: Called the New Covenant

Gospel: Called: Doctrine According to Godliness

Gospel: Called: Form of Sound Words

Gospel: Called: Glorious Gospel of Christ

Gospel: Called: Gospel of Christ

Gospel: Called: Gospel of God

Gospel: Called: Gospel of Jesus Christ

Gospel: Called: Gospel of Peace

Gospel: Called: Gospel of Salvation

Gospel: Called: Gospel of the Kingdom

Gospel: Called: Ministration of the Spirit

Gospel: Called: Mystery of Christ

Gospel: Called: Mystery of the Gospel

Gospel: Called: Preaching of Jesus Christ

Gospel: Called: The Dispensation of the Grace of God

Gospel: Called: The Grace of God

Gospel: Called: The Kingdom of God

Gospel: Called: Word of Christ

Gospel: Called: Word of Faith

Gospel: Called: Word of God

Gospel: Called: Word of Life

Gospel: Called: Word of Reconciliation

Gospel: Called: Word of Salvation

Gospel: Called: Word of Truth

Gospel: Compared to a Feast

Gospel: Compared to a Householder

Gospel: Compared to a Mustard Seed

Gospel: Compared to a Pearl of Great Price

Gospel: Compared to a Treasure Hidden in a Field

Gospel: Compared to Good Seed

Gospel: Compared to Leaven (Yeast)

Gospel: Prophecies Relating To

Gospel: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To

The Gospel is Called the Dispensation of the Grace of God

The Gospel is Called the Doctrine According to Godliness

The Gospel is Called the Form of Sound Words

The Gospel is Called the Glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ

The Gospel is Called the Gospel of Christ

The Gospel is Called the Gospel of God

The Gospel is Called the Gospel of Peace

The Gospel is Called the Gospel of Salvation

The Gospel is Called the Gospel of the Grace of God

The Gospel is Called the Gospel of the Kingdom

The Gospel is Called the Ministration of the Spirit

The Gospel is Called the Mystery of the Gospel

The Gospel is Called the Preaching of Jesus Christ

The Gospel is Called the Word of Christ

The Gospel is Called the Word of Faith

The Gospel is Called the Word of God

The Gospel is Called the Word of Grace

The Gospel is Called the Word of Life

The Gospel is Called the Word of Reconciliation

The Gospel is Called the Word of Salvation

The Gospel is Called the Word of Truth

The Gospel is Everlasting

The Gospel is Glorious

The Gospel is Good Tidings of Great Joy for all People

The Gospel is Hid to Them That are Lost

The Gospel is the Power of God to Salvation

The Gospel: Awful Consequences of not Obeying

The Gospel: Be Careful not to Hinder

The Gospel: Brings Peace

The Gospel: Exhibits the Grace of God

The Gospel: Foretold

The Gospel: Let Him Who Preached Another, be Accursed

The Gospel: Life and Immortality are Brought to Light by Jesus Through

The Gospel: Ministers Have a Stewardship to Preach

The Gospel: Must be Believed

The Gospel: Preached Beforehand to Abraham

The Gospel: Preached by Christ

The Gospel: Preached to Every Creature

The Gospel: Preached to The Gentiles

The Gospel: Preached to The Jews First

The Gospel: Preached to The Poor

The Gospel: Preached Under the Old Testament

The Gospel: Produces Hope

The Gospel: Profession of, Attended by Afflictions

The Gospel: Promises to Sufferers

The Gospel: Rejection of, by Many, Foretold

The Gospel: Rejection of, by the Jews, a Means of Blessing to The

The Gospel: Saints Have Fellowship In

The Gospel: Testifies to the Final Judgment

The Gospel: The Knowledge of the Glory of God is By

The Gospel: There is Fulness of Blessing In

The Gospel: Those Who Receive, should Adhere to the Truth of

The Gospel: Those Who Receive, should Earnestly Contend for the Faith of

The Gospel: Those Who Receive, should Have Their Conversation Becoming

The Gospel: Those Who Receive, should Live in Subjection To

The Gospel: Those Who Receive, should not be Ashamed of

The Gospel: Those Who Receive, should Sacrifice Friends and Property For

The Gospel: Those Who Receive, should Sacrifice Life Itself For

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Gospel Of Mark
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