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
They also gave me gall for my food, and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion. Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem. Behold, thy king comes to thee. He is just, and having salvation, lowly, and riding upon a donkey, even upon a colt the foal of a donkey.
Now all this has come to pass, so that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet might be fulfilled, which says,
And he was there until the end of Herod, so that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet might be fulfilled, which says, Out of Egypt I called my Son.
And he was there until the end of Herod, so that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet might be fulfilled, which says, Out of Egypt I called my Son.
Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, which says,
And having come, he dwelt in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, that he will be called a Nazarene.
so that what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which says,
Think not that I came to abolish the law or the prophets. I came not to abolish, but to fulfill.
And it came to pass, when Jesus finished these sayings, the multitudes were astonished at his teaching,
And I say to you, that many will come from east and west, and will sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of the heavens,
so that what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which says, He himself took our infirmities, and bore our diseases.
And when Jesus departed from there, two blind men followed him, crying out, and saying, Be merciful to us, thou son of David.
And after they departed, behold, they brought to him a mute man possessed with a demon.
And it came to pass when Jesus finished directing his twelve disciples, he departed from there to teach and preach in their cities.
At that time Jesus went through the grain fields on the Sabbath, and his disciples were hungry and began to pluck ears, and to eat.
so that what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which says,
Then a blind and mute man being demon possessed, was brought to him. And he healed him, so as for the blind and mute man both to speak and to see.
But having answered, he said to them, An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah the prophet.
so that what was spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled, which says, I will open my mouth in parables. I will utter things concealed from the foundation of the world.
And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
And having answered him, Peter said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come to thee on the waters.
Then he commanded his disciples that they should tell no man that he is Jesus, the Christ. From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders, and chief priests, and scholars, and be killed, and the third day be raised up.
And after six days Jesus takes Peter, and James, and John his brother, and brings them up onto a high mountain in private. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone as the sun, and his garments became white as the light. read more. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with him. And having responded, Peter said to Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here. If thou desire, we could make here three tabernacles, one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah. While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them. And lo, a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. Hear ye him. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were exceedingly afraid. And having come, Jesus touched them and said, Arise, and fear not. And having lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, except Jesus only.
And when they came to Capernaum, those who receive the double-drachma came to Peter, and said, Does not your teacher pay the double-drachma?
And it came to pass when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee and came into the regions of Judea beyond the Jordan.
For the kingdom of the heavens is compared to a man, a house-ruler, who went out in the early morning at the same time to hire workmen for his vineyard.
And when they came near to Jerusalem, and came to Bethsphage, to the mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,
Now all this came to pass, so that what was spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled, which says,
Hear ye another parable. There was a certain man who was a house-ruler, who planted a vineyard, and placed a hedge around it, and dug a winepress in it, and built a tower, and leased it to farmers, and went on a journey.
Because of this I say to you, that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you, and will be given to a nation producing the fruits of it.
And when Jesus departed he was going from the temple. And his disciples came near to exhibit to him the buildings of the temple.
And as he sat on the mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, Tell us, when will these things be? And what is the sign of thy coming, and of the termination of the age?
Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins, who, having taken their lamps, went forth to the bridegroom's gathering.
For, like a man going on a journey, he called his own bondmen, and delivered to them the things possessed by him.
And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these saying, he said to his disciples,
Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, which says, And they took the thirty silver pieces, the price of him who was valued, whom they valued from the sons of Israel,
And while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, There is nothing for thee and that righteous man. For I suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.
And when Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather an uproar was developing, after taking water, he washed his hands in front of the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this righteous man. See ye to it.
they gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall. And having tasted it, he would not drink.
After going, make ye disciples of all the nations, immersing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
And John's disciples and those of the Pharisees were fasting. And they come and say to him, Why do John's disciples and those of the Pharisees fast, but the disciples with you do not fast?
And the Pharisees said to him, Look, why are they doing what is not permitted on the Sabbath day?
And the scholars who came down from Jerusalem said, He has Beelzebub, and, By the ruler of the demons he casts out the demons.
Then the Pharisees and the scholars demand of him, Why do thy disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with unwashed hands?
And as he went forth out of the temple, one of his disciples says to him, Teacher, see what kind of stones and what kind of buildings. And Jesus having answered, he said to him, See thou these great buildings? There will be left, no, not a stone upon a stone, that will, no, not be brought down.
Tell us, when will these things be? And what is the sign when all these things are going to be fulfilled? And having answered them, Jesus began to say to them, Watch that not any man lead you astray. read more. For many will come in my name, saying, I am, and they will lead many astray. And when ye may hear of wars and rumors of wars, be not alarmed, for it must happen, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These things are the beginnings of travails. But watch ye yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and ye will be beaten in synagogues. And ye will be stood before rulers and kings because of me, for a testimony to them. And the good-news must first be preached to all the nations. But when they lead you, delivering you up, be not anxious before what ye might speak, nor meditate. But whatever may be given you in that hour, speak ye this, for ye are not who speak, but the Holy Spirit. And brother will betray brother to death, and a father a child. And children will rise up against parents, and will condemn them to death. And ye will be hated by all men because of my name, but he who endures to the end, this man will be saved. But when ye see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not (let him who reads understand), then let those in Judea flee to the mountains, and let the man on the housetop not go down into the house, nor enter in to take anything out of his house, and let the man who is in the field not turn back for the things behind, to take his cloak. But woe to those who have in the womb, and to those who suckle in those days. And pray ye that your flight may not be in winter. For those days will be tribulation, such as has not happened from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, and no, will not happen. And unless the Lord cut short the days, no flesh would have been saved, but because of the chosen, whom he chose, he cut short the days. And then if any man should say to you, Lo, here is the Christ, or, Lo, there, do not believe. For FALSE Christs and FALSE prophets will arise, and will give signs and wonders, in order to lead astray, if possible, even the chosen. But watch ye. Behold, I have foretold all to you. But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars of the sky will be falling, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of man coming in clouds with much power and glory. And then he will send forth his heavenly agents, and will gather together his chosen from the four winds, from the outermost part of the earth as far as the outermost part of heaven. But learn a parable from the fig tree. When its branch now become tender, and sprouts the leaves, ye know that summer is near. So ye also, when ye may see these things happening, know ye that it is near, at the doors. Truly I say to you, that this generation will, no, not pass away, until all these things happen. The sky and the earth will pass away, but my words may, no, not pass away. But about that day or that hour no man knows, not even the agents in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father. Watch ye! Be alert and pray, for ye know not when the time is, like a man abroad, having left his house, and having given authority to his bondmen, and to each man his work, and commanded the doorkeeper that he should watch. Watch therefore, for ye know not when the lord of the house comes, at evening, or at midnight, or at cock crowing, or in the morning, lest having come suddenly, he may find you sleeping. And what I say to you I say to all, watch!
And while he was in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat relaxing, a woman came having an alabaster cruse of ointment of pure spikenard, very valuable. And having broken the alabaster cruse, she poured it on his head.
And they gave him wine mingled with myrrh to drink, but he did not take it.
And having seen their faith, he said to him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.
And having seen their faith, he said to him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.
And having lifted up his eyes on his disciples, he said, Blessed are the poor, because the kingdom of God is what belongs to you. Blessed are those who hunger now, because ye will be filled. Blessed are those who weep now, because ye will laugh. read more. Blessed are ye, when men will hate you, and when they will exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, because of the Son of man. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap, for behold, your reward is great in heaven, for their fathers did in the same way to the prophets. However, woe to you the rich, because ye have received your consolation. Woe to you who are filled now, because ye will hunger. Woe to you who laugh now, because ye will mourn and weep. Woe when men will speak well of you, for their fathers did in the same way to the FALSE prophets. But I say to you, to those who hear, love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who mistreat you. To him who strikes thee on the cheek offer the other also, and from him who takes away thy cloak, also do not withhold thy coat. Give to every man who asks thee, and from him who takes away thy personal things do not demand them back. And as ye desire that men would do to you, do ye also to them likewise. And if ye love those who love you, what credit is for you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if ye do good to those who do good to you, what credit is for you? For even sinners do the same. And if ye lend to whom ye hope to receive, what credit is for you? For even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
And he said to them, When ye pray, say, Our Father in the heavens, hallowed be thy name. May thy kingdom come, may thy will happen on the earth as also in heaven. Give us our bread sufficient for each day. read more. And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive every man who is indebted to us. And bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
And when the multitudes gathered together he began to say, This generation is evil. They seek a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah, the prophet.
And he said to his disciples, Because of this I say to you, be not anxious for your life, what ye may eat, nor for the body, what ye may wear.
For when thou go with thine opponent to the magistrate on the way give effort to be delivered from him, lest he may drag thee to the judge, and the judge may deliver thee to the officer, and the officer would cast thee into prison.
And they questioned him, saying, Teacher, when therefore will these things be? And what is the sign when these things are going to happen?
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us. And we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true. And that man knows that he speaks true, so that ye may believe.
Truly, truly, I say to thee, When thou were younger, thou girded thyself, and walked where thou would, but when thou become old, thou will stretch forth thy hands, and another will gird thee, and carry thee where thou do not want.
Much every way. First, because they were indeed entrusted with the oracles of God.