Matthew

• DatesAbout AD 50s–60s on the traditional view; about AD 80–90 on the view of most scholars (debated)
• GenreGospels and Acts
• AuthorshipAnonymous; tradition names Matthew the tax collector
• TimelineJesus the Messiah
• Key textsMatthew 1–2; Matthew 5–7; Matthew 28
• Read the textMatthew in the World English Bible
• Covered in classSession 4, Session 11

What the sources say, and how sure we are

• The text says

  The book opens with a genealogy of “Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham,” and repeatedly says events happened to fulfill the Scriptures. It ends with the command to make disciples of all nations.Matt 1:1; Matt 2:15; Matt 28:18–20

• Outside evidence

  Papias of Hierapolis, about AD 100–130, is reported by Eusebius as saying that Matthew compiled the sayings of the Lord in the Hebrew language. Scholars debate what Papias meant, since our Matthew is written in Greek.Papias, in Eusebius, Church History 3.39

• Debated

  Most scholars hold that Mark was written first and that Matthew and Luke used it, which would place Matthew after Mark, probably in the 80s. Some hold that Matthew was first or that the apostle wrote it early, and some date it to the 50s or 60s. The Gospel itself does not name its author.

• Christian conclusion

  Christians read Matthew as presenting Jesus as the Messiah, the teacher greater than Moses, and the risen Lord.Matt 5:17; Matt 28:18