The Gospels Of Matthew And Matthew’s Authorship
Matthew, one of the four Gospels Strangers to the Bible are often familiar with, is attributed to him.The general consensus among Bible scholars is that Matthew was the author of The Gospel of Matthew, written somewhere between A.D. 44 and 48. Matthew was likely a Jewish Christian, and also a tax collector, while also working as a customs inspector in Capernaum, located in the north of Galilee. The Gospel of Matthew is distinguished by its introduction, which is built around five major discourses. These discourses, which frame the narrative section, are the ways of being a Christian community and are aimed at instructing the reader in Jesus’ ethic and His mission.
Interestingly, Matthew may have been a bit of an outsider in comparison to the other writers of the Gospels. Most of the other Gospel authors were fishers, while Matthew was in a profession which involved collecting taxes from the Jewish people – suggesting a lack of connection to them.This lack of connection could explain why Matthew wrote from a Jewish-centered perspective – as distinct from much of the New Testament, which was written from a Gentile-centered perspective.
Since the earliest manuscripts of the Gospel of Matthew did not name the author, there is no absolute certainty as to who wrote this book. Some ancient writers, such as Papias, believed that Matthew was the author of this book. But there was also a strand of thought that argued that while Matthew may have assisted in the writing of the book, it was really written by a different author, most likely by a Disciple called Mark.
Matthew’s Purpose
When reading the Gospel of Matthew, one quickly realizes that it is written to a Jewish audience. This is evident in the way that Matthew emphasizes Jesus’s fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and His strict adherence to the Mosaic Law. The author also lists a number of Old Testament verses which help to explain and to illustrate Jesus’s teaching and actions.
The Gospel of Matthew also talks extensively about Jesus’s moral code. Throughout the book, Jesus is constantly teaching His disciples about the importance of love and the value of the poor and discouraged. He stresses the need to be humble, patient and compassionate.
The Gospel of Matthew includes three sections devoted to Jesus’s birth and childhood. This is done so that Matthew can show Jesus’s majestic birth, royal lineage and miraculous signs.
In the end, Matthew’s purpose seems to be to demonstrate to the Jewish people that Jesus is the promised Messiah and to point out the ways in which Jesus is fulfilling God’s plan. Ultimately, Matthew’s book serves as a call to his readers to repent and to follow Jesus.
The Structure Of The Gospel Of Matthew
The Gospel of Matthew is structured around five major discourses. The first four discourses highlight Jesus’s teachings on righteousness and the formation of the Kingdom of Heaven. The fifth discourse is the Olivet Discourse which speaks of the coming of Christ’s return.
The narrative section follows a basic chronological order, starting with Jesus’s birth and ending with His resurrection. In between, there are a number of significant events, including His baptism, His temptation in the wilderness, His Sermon on the Mount and His crucifixion.
The Gospel of Matthew is often seen as the most organized of the four Gospels. It follows an easy to understand pattern, emphasizing the structure of thought. Starting with Jesus’s birth, the narrative section follows a back to front path, finishing with the Resurrection.
Theological Implications Of The Gospel Of Matthew
The Gospel of Matthew is a book of theology, expressing new insights and revelations about the kingdom of God. Through this book, readers learn that Jesus is the promised Messiah and a divine leader.
The Gospel of Matthew announces that Jesus is a teacher and inspirer of righteousness, emphasizing the importance of living with sincere faith, humility and compassion. It also challenges readers to think about how the kingdom of God should be lived out.
The author of The Gospel of Matthew also offers insight into the nature of sin and judgment, highlighting the path to salvation and providing an outlook on approaching the end of days. It encourages readers to focus on the main idea – that Jesus is the savior from sin and the redeemer from judgment.
Symbolism In The Gospel Of Matthew
The Gospel of Matthew is full of symbolism. The imagery is used to bring meaning and clarity to the text. For example, the author uses a fig tree to illustrate faith fruitfulness and the need to be vigilant. He also frequently uses the metaphor of ‘light’ to represent Jesus and His journey of enlightenment.
In addition to his symbolism, the author of the Gospel of Matthew incorporates a number of prophecies into the text, demonstrating how Jesus fulfills Old Testament promises. These prophecies give readers a better understanding of the mission of Jesus and the path they should take to follow Him.
The Gospel of Matthew also includes a number of miracle stories, which are s used to illustrate the power of Jesus and His authority as the Savior. These miracles include the feeding of the five thousand, the calming of the storm and the healing of the leper.
Matthew’s Gospel In Practice
The Gospel of Matthew has been embraced by theologians for centuries, due to its theological implications and its symbolism. Reading it can be a transformative experience, filled with revelations about Jesus and His ministry.
In modern times, the Gospel of Matthew has been influential in the foundations of many religions and denominations, as well as having a major impact on spiritual practices. People from various Christian backgrounds read and study the Gospel, finding new insights and fresh ways of understanding the words and deeds of Jesus.
In the modern world, the Gospel of Matthew is often used to find guidance on how to live life ethically and to discover signs of the Kingdom of God in daily life. It serves as an effective tool for spiritual growth, helping the reader to move closer to the Lord and become a better disciple of Jesus.
Matthew’s Place in The Bible
The Gospel of Matthew is essential reading for Christians, as it provides a better understanding of Jesus’s life and ministry. This book is also one of four Gospels, known collectively as the Synoptic Gospels, whose authors are believed to have had access to an early version of a gospel of Jesus’s ministry.
The Gospel of Matthew is often considered the most reliable of the four Gospels, as it provides a more complete and thorough depiction of Jesus. It is also much more focused on his teachings and the ethical demands of being a Christian.
Moreover, the Gospel of Matthew is an important book in terms of its relationship to other books of the Bible. For example, it includes several references to the Old Testament – demonstrating how Jesus fulfills earlier prophecies and is the fulfillment of God’s plan.
The Influence Of Matthew’s Writing
The writing of the Gospel of Matthew had enormous influence in subsequent generations. Not only did it spread the message of Jesus and His ministry, but it also validated the importance of Jesus’s teachings and the life of humble faith and loving service.
It also had an immense impact on the church, as it provided much of the theological foundations for later generations. It is used to define the Christian faith, setting out the essentials of the relationship between God and humans.
The Gospel of Matthew is well-known for its use of parables – highlighting the importance of living an ethical and loving life. Jesus’s parables often challenge the status quo and push readers to consider a new perspective.
Finally, the Gospel of Matthew is credited with inspiring movements of social reform – particularly in terms of its focus on poverty, justice and equality. Writers like Dutch Reformed Church Professor Pieter Hartog Vosmaer have credited the Gospel of Matthew with sparking societal change.
