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
Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out of there, until thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
Then he released Barabbas unto them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
Hastings
MATTHEW, GOSPEL ACCORDING TO.
1. The First Gospel in the Early Church.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
They also gave me gall for my food; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
When Israel was a boy, I loved him and called my son out of Egypt.
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout with joy, O daughter of Jerusalem; behold, thy King shall come unto thee: just, and a saviour; humble, and riding upon an ass, even upon a colt the foal of an ass.
Now all this was done 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 have I called 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 have I called my son.
Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by the Lord through Jeremiah the prophet, saying,
and he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled, which was spoken by the prophets, that he shall be called a Nazarene.
Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he returned to Galilee;
that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying,
Think not that I am come to undo the law or the prophets; I am not come to undo, but to fulfil.
And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these words, the multitude marvelled at his doctrine;
And when Jesus was entering into Capernaum, a centurion came unto him, beseeching him,
But I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west and shall sit down at the table with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of the heavens.
that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying, He took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses.
And when Jesus departed from there, two blind men followed him, crying out and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us.
And as they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a demon.
And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished giving commandments to his twelve disciples, he departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities.
At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the planted fields, and his disciples were hungry and began to pluck the ears of grain and to eat.
so that it which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, who said,
Then was brought unto him one possessed with a demon, blind, and dumb, and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spoke and saw.
But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and there no sign shall be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonah;
that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.
And he did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
Then Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me to come unto thee upon the water.
Then he charged his disciples that they should tell no one that he was Jesus the Christ. From that time forth Jesus began to declare unto his disciples, how it was expedient for him to go unto Jerusalem and to suffer many things of the elders and the princes of the priests and of the scribes and to be killed and to be raised again the third day.
And after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, his brother, and brought them apart up into a high mountain and [he] was transfigured before them, and his face shined as the sun, and his raiment was as white as the light. read more. And, behold, Moses and Elijah appeared unto them talking with him. Then Peter answered and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to remain here; if thou desire, let us make three tabernacles here: one for thee and one for Moses and one for Elijah. While he yet spoke, behold, a cloud of light overshadowed them, and, behold, a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and feared greatly. Then Jesus came and touched them and said, Arise and be not afraid. And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus only.
And when they were come to Capernaum, those that received the two drachmas came to Peter and said, Does not your master pay the two drachmas?
And it came to pass that when Jesus had finished these words, he departed from Galilee and came into the borders of Judaea beyond the Jordan;
For the kingdom of the heavens is like unto a man, the husband of a house, who went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.
And when they drew near unto Jerusalem and were come to Bethphage unto the mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,
All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,
Hear another parable: There was a certain husband of a house who planted a vineyard and hedged it round about and dug a winepress in it and built a tower and let it out to husbandmen and went into a far country,
Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you and given to a people bringing forth the fruits thereof.
And Jesus answered and spoke unto them again by parables and said,
And Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and his disciples came to him to show him the buildings of the temple.
And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming and of the end of the age?
Then shall the kingdom of the heavens be likened unto ten virgins who, taking their lamps, went forth to meet the bridegroom.
For it is like a man travelling into a far country, who called his own slaves and delivered unto them his goods.
And it came to pass when Jesus had finished all these words, he said unto his disciples,
Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the sons of Israel did value,
When he was seated upon the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man, for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.
When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person; see ye to it.
they gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall; and when he had tasted of it, he would not drink.
Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees did fast and therefore came and said unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?
And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?
But the scribes who had come down from Jerusalem said that he had Beelzebub and that by the prince of the devils he cast out devils.
Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why do thy disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders but eat bread with unwashed hands?
And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples said unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here! And Jesus, answering, said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? There shall not be left one stone upon another that shall not be thrown down.
Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all things are to be finished? And Jesus, answering them, began to say, Take heed that no one deceive you, read more. for many shall come in my name, saying, I Am Christ, and shall deceive many. And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled, for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet. For people shall rise against people and kingdom against kingdom, and there shall be earthquakes in each place, and there shall be famines and troubles: these shall be the beginnings of sorrows. But take heed to yourselves, for they shall deliver you up in the councils, and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten; and ye shall be called before rulers and kings for my sake for a testimony unto them. And the gospel needs to be preached unto all the Gentiles first. But when they shall bring you to deliver you up, do not premeditate beforehand what ye shall speak, neither think ye regarding it, but whatever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye, for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Spirit. Now the brother shall deliver the brother unto death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents and shall kill them. And ye shall be hated by everyone for my name, but he that shall persevere unto the end, the same shall be saved. But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation (spoken of by Daniel the prophet) standing where it ought not, he that reads, let him understand, then let those that are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein to take any thing out of his house; and let him that is in the field not turn back again even to take up his garment. But woe to those that are with child and to those that give suck in those days! Pray, therefore, that your flight not be in winter. For those days shall be of affliction such as never was from the beginning of the creation of the things which God created unto this time, neither shall be. And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved, but for the elect's sake, whom he has chosen, he has shortened those days. And then if anyone should say to you, Behold, here is the Christ, or, Behold, he is there, do not believe him; for false Christs and false prophets shall rise and shall show signs and wonders to seduce, if possible, even the elect. But take ye heed; behold, I have told you everything beforehand. But in those days after that affliction, the sun shall darken, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then shall he send his angels and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth unto the uttermost part of the heaven. Learn the similitude from the fig tree: When her branch is yet tender and puts forth leaves, ye know that summer is near; so ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you that this generation shall not pass until all these things are done. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and that hour no one knows, no, not even the angels who are in the heaven, neither the Son, but only the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray; for ye know not when the time shall be. As the man who, taking a far journey, left his house and gave his estate to his slaves and to each one his responsibility and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore, for ye know not when the Lord of the house comes: at evening or at midnight or at the cockcrowing or in the morning, lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you, I say unto all: Watch.
And he being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, sitting at the table, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and breaking the alabaster, she poured it over his head.
And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh, but he received it not.
And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.
And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.
And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples and said, Blessed are the poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are those that hunger now, for ye shall be filled. Blessed are those that weep now, for ye shall laugh. read more. Blessed are ye when men shall hate you and when they shall separate you from their company and shall reproach you and cast out your name as evil for the sake of the Son of man. Rejoice ye in that day and leap for joy; for, behold, your reward is great in heaven, for their fathers treated the prophets in the same manner. But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. Woe unto you when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers treat the false prophets. But I say unto you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those that curse you, and pray for those who despitefully use you. And unto the one that smites thee on the one cheek offer also the other, and to the one that takes away thy cloak defend not thy coat also. Give to everyone that asks of thee, and of the one that takes away thy goods ask them not to return them. And as ye desire that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. For if ye love those who love you, what grace shall ye have? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to those who do good to you, what grace shall ye have? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to those of whom ye hope to receive, what grace shall ye have? for sinners also lend to sinners to receive as much again.
And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father who art in the heavens, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also in the earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. read more. And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
And gathering the people unto him, he began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign, and no sign shall be given it but the sign of Jonah the prophet.
And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou may be delivered from him, lest he drag thee away to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison.
And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall begin to come to pass?
And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth.
And he that saw it gives testimony, and his testimony is true, and he knows that he says the truth, that ye also might believe.
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou didst gird thyself and walk where thou wouldest, but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee and carry thee where thou wouldest not.
Much in every way: first, certainly, that the oracles of God have been entrusted unto them.
After that, he appeared unto James; then to all the apostles.