Reference: Matthew, Gospel According To
Easton
The author of this book was beyond a doubt the Matthew, an apostle of our Lord, whose name it bears. He wrote the Gospel of Christ according to his own plans and aims, and from his own point of view, as did also the other "evangelists."
As to the time of its composition, there is little in the Gospel itself to indicate. It was evidently written before the destruction of Jerusalem (MT 24), and some time after the events it records. The probability is that it was written between the years A.D. 60 and 65.
The cast of thought and the forms of expression employed by the writer show that this Gospel was written for Jewish Christians of Palestine. His great object is to prove that Jesus of Nazareth was the promised Messiah, and that in him the ancient prophecies had their fulfilment. The Gospel is full of allusions to those passages of the Old Testament in which Christ is predicted and foreshadowed. The one aim prevading the whole book is to show that Jesus is he "of whom Moses in the law and the prophets did write." This Gospel contains no fewer than sixty-five references to the Old Testament, forty-three of these being direct verbal citations, thus greatly outnumbering those found in the other Gospels. The main feature of this Gospel may be expressed in the motto, "I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil."
As to the language in which this Gospel was written there is much controversy. Many hold, in accordance with old tradition, that it was originally written in Hebrew (i.e., the Aramaic or Syro-Chaldee dialect, then the vernacular of the inhabitants of Palestine), and afterwards translated into Greek, either by Matthew himself or by some person unknown. This theory, though earnestly maintained by able critics, we cannot see any ground for adopting. From the first this Gospel in Greek was received as of authority in the Church. There is nothing in it to show that it is a translation. Though Matthew wrote mainly for the Jews, yet they were everywhere familiar with the Greek language. The same reasons which would have suggested the necessity of a translation into Greek would have led the evangelist to write in Greek at first. It is confessed that this Gospel has never been found in any other form than that in which we now possess it.
The leading characteristic of this Gospel is that it sets forth the kingly glory of Christ, and shows him to be the true heir to David's throne. It is the Gospel of the kingdom. Matthew uses the expression "kingdom of heaven" (thirty-two times), while Luke uses the expression "kingdom of God" (thirty-three times). Some Latinized forms occur in this Gospel, as kodrantes (Mt 5:26), for the Latin quadrans, and phragello (Mt 27:26), for the Latin flagello. It must be remembered that Matthew was a tax-gatherer for the Roman government, and hence in contact with those using the Latin language.
As to the relation of the Gospels to each other, we must maintain that each writer of the synoptics (the first three) wrote independently of the other two, Matthew being probably first in point of time.
Out of a total of 1071 verses, Matthew has 387 in common with Mark and Luke, 130 with Mark, 184 with Luke; only 387 being peculiar to itself. (See Mark; Luke; Gospels.)
The book is fitly divided into these four parts: (1.) Containing the genealogy, the birth, and the infancy of Jesus (1; 2).
(2.) The discourses and actions of John the Baptist preparatory to Christ's public ministry (3; 4:11).
(3.) The discourses and actions of Christ in Galilee (4:12-20:16).
(4.) The sufferings, death and resurrection of our Lord (20:17-28).
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Hastings
MATTHEW, GOSPEL ACCORDING TO.
1. The First Gospel in the Early Church.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
But they put in my food - poison! And, for my thirst, they gave for my drink - vinegar!
When Israel was, a child, then I loved him, - and, out of Egypt, called I my son.
Exult greatly, O daughter of Zion, Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem, Lo! thy king, cometh unto thee, vindicated and victorious, is he, - lowly, and riding upon an ass, yea, upon a colt, a young ass.
But, all this, hath come to pass, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord, through the prophet, saying:
and was there, until the death of Herod, - that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt, called I my son.
and was there, until the death of Herod, - that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt, called I my son.
and came and fixed his dwelling in a city called Nazareth, - that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophets - A Nazarene, shall he be called.
that it might be fulfilled, which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying:
Do not think, that I came to pull down the law, or the prophets, - I came not to pull down, but to fulfil.
And it came to pass, when Jesus ended these words, with astonishment were the multitudes being struck at his teaching;
And, when he entered into Capernaum, there came near unto him a centurion, beseeching him,
But I say unto you, Many from east and west, will have come, and shall recline with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, in the kingdom of the heavens;
that it might be fulfilled, which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, - Himself, our weaknesses, took, and, diseases, bare.
And, as Jesus, was passing aside from thence, there followed him, two blind men, crying aloud and saying, - Have mercy on us, O Son of David!
And, as, they, were going forth, lo! there was brought to him, a dumb man, demonized.
And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished giving instructions to his twelve disciples, he passed on from thence, to be teaching and proclaiming in their cities.
In that season, went Jesus, on, the sabbath, through the cornfields, - and, his disciples, hungered, and began to pluck ears of corn, and to eat.
that it might be fulfilled, which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying: -
Then they brought unto him, one demonized, blind and dumb, - and he cured him, so that the dumb did speak and see.
But, he, answering, said unto them, A wicked and adulterous generation, a sign, doth seek, and, a sign, will not be, given, it, save the sign of Jonah the prophet.
that it might be fulfilled, which was spoken through the prophet, saying - I will open, in parables, my mouth, I will bring up things hidden from the foundation!
And he did not, there, many mighty works, because of their unbelief.
And, making answer, Peter said unto him, - Lord! if it is, thou, bid me come unto thee, upon the waters.
Then, straitly charged he the disciples, lest, to any man, they should say - He, is, the Christ. From that time, began Jesus Christ to be pointing out to his disciples that he must needs, into Jerusalem, go away, and, many things, suffer, from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, - and on, the third day, arise.
And, after six days, Jesus taketh with him, Peter and James and John his brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain, apart; and was transformed before them, - and his face shone as the sun, and, his garments, became white as the light. read more. And lo! there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, conversing with him. And Peter, answering, said unto Jesus - Lord! it is, delightful, for us, to be here, - If thou wilt, I will make here three tents, for thee, one, and, for Moses, one, and, for Elijah, one. While yet he was speaking, lo! a brightly shining cloud, overshadowed them, and lo! a voice, out of the cloud, saying - This, is, my Son, the Beloved, in whom I delight, - Be hearkening to him. And, hearing it, the disciples fell upon their face, and were caused to fear exceedingly. And Jesus came near, and, touching them, said - Arise! and be not afraid. And, lifting up their eyes, no one, saw they, save Jesus, himself, alone.
And, when they came into Capernaum, they who, the half shekel, were receiving, came near unto Peter, and said, Your teacher, doth he not pay the half shekel?
And it came to pass, when Jesus ended these words, he removed from Galilee and came into the bounds of Judaea beyond the Jordan.
For the kingdom of the heavens, is like, a man, a householder, - who went forth with the morning, to hire labourers into his vineyard;
And, when they drew near unto Jerusalem, and came unto Bethphage, unto the Mount of Olives, then, Jesus sent forth two disciples;
But, this, hath come to pass, that it might be fulfilled, which was spoken through the prophet, saying:
Another parable, hear ye: - A man there was, a householder, who planted a vineyard, and, a wall around it, placed, and digged in it a wine-vat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, - and left home.
Wherefore I say unto you, The kingdom of God, will be taken away from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof:
And, Jesus coming forth, from the temple, was taking his departure, when his disciples came forward to point out to him the buildings of the temple.
And, as he was sitting upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him, privately, saying - Tell us, when these things shall be, - and what the sign of thy presence, and the conclusion of the age.
Then, will the kingdom of the heavens become like unto, ten virgins, who, taking their torches, went forth to meet the bridegroom.
For it is, just as a man, who, going from home, called his own servants, and delivered up to them his substance;
And it came to pass, when Jesus ended all these words, he said unto his disciples:
Then, was fulfilled, that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet, saying: And they took the thirty pieces of silver, as the value of him whom they had valued, whom they had valued, of Israel's sons, -
And, as he was sitting upon the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying: Have thou nothing to do with that righteous man, for, many things, have I suffered this day, by dream, because of him.
And Pilate, seeing, that, nothing, it availed, but rather, a tumult, was arising, taking water, washed his hands of it before the multitude, saying - Innocent, am I, of the blood of this man, - Ye, shall see to it for yourselves.
they gave him to drink, wine, with gall, mingled, and, tasting, he would not drink.
Go ye, therefore, and disciple all the nations, Immersing them into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, -
And the disciples of John and the Pharisees were fasting; and they come and say unto him - For what cause, do, the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees, fast, whereas, thy disciples, fast not?
And, the Pharisees, were saying, - See! why are they doing, on the Sabbath, what is not allowed?
And, the Scribes who from Jerusalem had come down, were saying - He hath, Beelzebul; and - In the ruler of the demons, casteth he out the demons.
and so the Pharisees and the Scribes, question, him - For what cause do thy disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but, with defiled hands, eat bread?
And, as he was going forth out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him - Teacher! see what manner of stones, and what manner of buildings! And, Jesus, said unto him - Art thou beholding these great buildings? In nowise, shall there be left here, stone upon stone, which shall, in any wise, not be thrown down.
Tell us, When, these things, shall be, and, what the sign, when all these things shall be about to be concluded. And, Jesus, began to be saying unto them - Beware, lest anyone, deceive, you; read more. For, many, will come on my name, saying, I, am he! and, will deceive, many. And, when ye shall hear of wars, and rumours of wars, be not alarmed - it must needs come to pass, but, not yet, is, the end. For there will arise - Nation against nation, and, kingdom against kingdom, - there will be earthquakes in places, there will be famines: - A beginning of birth-pangs, are these things. But be, ye, taking heed, unto yourselves: they will deliver you up into high-councils, and, in synagogues, shall ye be beaten, - and, before governors and kings, shall ye be set, for my sake, for a witness unto them. And, unto all the nations, first, must needs be proclaimed, the glad-message. And, when they are leading you, as they are delivering you up, be not beforehand anxious, what ye shall speak; but, whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, the same, speak, - for, ye, are not the speakers, but the Holy Spirit. And, brother, will deliver up, brother, unto death, and, father, child, and, children, will rise up, against parents, and put them to death; And ye will be men hated by all, because of my name; but, he that hath endured throughout, the same, shall be saved. But, when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, standing where it ought not, he that readeth, let him, think, then, they who are in Judaea, let them flee into the mountains; He that is on the house-top, let him not come down, neither let him enter, to take away anything out of his louse; And, he that hath gone into the field, let him not turn back unto the things behind, to take away his mantle. But alas for the women with child, and for them who are giving suck, - in those days. But be praying, that it may not happen in winter. For in those days shall be a tribulation - such, that there hath not happened, the like, from the beginning of creation which God created, until the present time, and shall in nowise happen. And, save that the Lord hath shortened the days, no flesh should be saved; but, for the sake of the chosen of whom he hath made choice, he hath shortened the days. And, then, if any, unto you, say - See! Here, is the Christ! See! there, do not believe it; For there will arise, false Christs, and false prophets; and they will show signs and wonders, so as to deceive, if possible, the chosen. But, ye, beware: I have foretold you, all things. But, in those days, after that tribulation, the sun, shall be darkened, and, the moon, will not give her brightness, And, the stars, will, out of the heavens, be falling, - and, the powers which are in the heavens, will be shaken; And, then, will they see the Son of Man - coming in clouds, with great power and glory. And, then, will he send forth the messengers, and they will gather together his chosen - out of the four winds, from utmost bound of earth, unto utmost bound of heaven. Now, from the fig-tree, learn ye, the parable: - When, already, her young branch, becometh tender, and, the leaves, are sprouting, ye observe that, near, is, the summer: Thus, ye also, when ye shall see these things coming to pass, observe ye, that, near, he is, at the doors. Verily, I say unto you - In nowise, shall this generation pass away, until all these things, shall happen: The heaven and the earth, shall pass away, but, my words, shall not pass away. But, concerning that day or hour, no one, knoweth, neither the messengers in heaven, nor the Son, - save the Father. Be taking heed, be watching, for ye know not, when, the season is: - As a man from home - having left his house, and given his servants the authority, to each one, his work, - and, unto the porter, hath given command, that he should watch: - Be watching, therefore, for ye know not, when, the master of the house, is coming, - whether at even, or at midnight, or at cock-crowing, or at early morn; - Lest, coming suddenly, he find you, sleeping. But, what, unto you, I say, unto all, I say: - Be watching.
And, he being in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining, there came a woman, holding an alabaster-jar of perfume, pure spikenard, very costly; and breaking the jar she was pouring down the perfume , upon his head.
And they would have given him, myrrhed wine, - who, however, received it not.
And, beholding their faith, he said - O man! thy sins are forgiven thee.
And, beholding their faith, he said - O man! thy sins are forgiven thee.
And, he, lifting up his eyes towards his disciples, was saying: - Happy, ye destitute, for, yours, is the kingdom of God. Happy, ye that hunger now, for ye shall be filled. Happy, ye that weep now, for ye shall laugh. read more. Happy, are ye, whensoever men shall hate you, and whensoever they shall separate you, and reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man: be rejoiced in that day, and leap, for lo! your reward, is great in heaven; for, according to the same things, were their fathers doing unto the prophets. But alas! for you, ye wealthy, for ye are duly receiving you consolation. Alas! for you, ye who are filled full now, for ye shall hunger. Alas! ye that laugh now, for ye shall mourn and weep. Alas! whensoever all men shall, speak well of you, for, according to the same things, were their fathers doing unto the false prophets. But, unto you, I say, who are hearkening: Be loving your enemies; be doing, good, unto them that hate you; Be blessing them that curse you; be praying for them that wantonly insult you. To him who is smiting thee upon the one cheek, be offering, the other also; and, from him who is taking away thy mantle, thy tunic also, do not forbid: To every one asking thee, give, and, from him that taketh away thy possessions, ask them not back. And, according as ye desire that men be doing unto you, be ye doing unto them, in like manner. And, if ye love them that love you, what sort of thanks are there for you? for, even sinners, love, such as love them. For, if ye even do good unto them that do good unto you, what sort of thanks are there for you? Even sinners, the same, are doing. And, if ye lend to them from whom ye are hoping to receive, what sort of thanks are there for you? Even sinners, unto sinners, do lend, that they may receive back, as much.
And he said unto them - Whensoever ye are praying, say - Father! Hallowed be thy name, Come may thy kingdom, Our needful bread, be giving us, day by day; read more. And forgive us our sins, for, even we ourselves, forgive every one indebted to us; And bring us not into temptation.
And, as the multitudes were thronging together, he began to be saying - This generation, is, a wicked generation: A sign, it is seeking, and, a sign, shall not be given it, save the sign of Jonah.
And he said unto his disciples - For this cause, I say unto you, - Be not anxious for the life, what ye shall eat, nor yet for yourbody, what ye shall put on;
For, as thou art going along with thine adversary unto a ruler, on the way, take pains to get a release from him; lest once he drag thee along unto the judge, and, the judge, deliver thee up to the punisher, - and, the punisher, cast thee into prison:
And they questioned him, saying - Teacher! when, therefore, will these things be? And, what the sign, when these things shall be about to come to pass?
And, the Word, became, flesh, and pitched his tent among us, and we gazed upon his glory, - a glory, as an Only-begotten from his Father. Full of favour and truth.
And, he that hath seen, hath borne witness; and, genuine, is his testimony, and, he, knoweth that he saith, what is true, that, ye also, may believe.
Verily, verily, I say unto thee - When thou wast younger, thou usedst to gird thyself, and to walk whither thou didst choose; but, when thou shalt become aged, thou shalt stretch out thy hands, and, another, shall gird thee, and bear thee, whither thou dost not choose.
Much, every way: - First, indeed, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God.