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 to you, You shall by no means come out thence, till you have paid the last farthing.
Then he released to them Barabbas; but after he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him up to be crucified.
Hastings
MATTHEW, GOSPEL ACCORDING TO.
1. The First Gospel in the Early Church.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Now all this was done, that the word might be fulfilled, which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying:
and was there till the death of Herod; that the word might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through his prophet, saying: Out of Egypt have I called my Son.
and was there till the death of Herod; that the word might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through his prophet, saying: Out of Egypt have I called my Son.
Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying:
and came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that the word might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets: He shall be called a Nazarene.
Now when Jesus heard that John was delivered up; he withdrew into Galilee;
that the word might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:
Think not that I have come to make the law or the prophets of no effect. I have not come to make them of no effect, but to give them their full efficiency.
And it came to pass when Jesus had ended these words, that the multitudes were astonished at his teaching:
And when he entered Capernaum, there came to him a centurion, beseeching him,
I also say to you, That many shall come from the east and the west, and shall recline with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven;
that the word might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: He himself took our infirmities, and bore our diseases.
And as Jesus was departing thence, two blind men followed him, crying out and saying: Son of David, have mercy on us.
And as they were going out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a demon.
And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.
At that time Jesus was going, on the Sabbath, through the fields of grain; and his disciples were hungry, and began to pull the ears of grain, and to eat.
that the word might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:
Then was brought to him a demoniac, blind and dumb: and he cured him, so that the blind and dumb man both spoke and saw.
But he answered and said to them: A wicked and adulterous generation seeks for a sign; and no sign shall be given to it, but the sign of Jonah the prophet.
that the word might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things that have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.
And he did not many mighty works there, on account of their unbelief.
And Peter answered him, and said: Lord, if it be thou, bid me come to thee on the water.
Then he charged his disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ. From that time Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly, that he must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders, and the chief priests, and the scribes, and be put to death, and be raised again the third day.
And after six days, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up into a high mountain apart: and he was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his clothing was white as the light. read more. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. And Peter answered and said to Jesus: Lord, it is good for us to be here; if thou wilt, let us make here three tents, one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah. While he was yet speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and lo, a voice from the cloud, saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I delight; hear him. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces, and were greatly afraid. And Jesus came and touched them, and said: Arise and be not afraid. And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus.
And when they had come into Capernaum, those who collected the didrachma came to Peter, and said: Does not your teacher pay the didrachma?
And it came to pass when Jesus had finished these discourses, that he departed from Galilee, and came into the borders of Judea, beyond the Jordan.
For the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a house, who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.
And when they drew near to Jerusalem, and had come to Bethphage, to the mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,
All this was done, that the word might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying:
Hear another parable: There was a master of a house who planted a vineyard, and put a hedge around it, and rigged in it a wine-press, and built a tower, and let it out to vine-dressers, and went into another country.
This was from the Lord, and it is wondrous in our eyes. For this reason, I say to you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation that will bring forth the fruits of it.
And Jesus answering, spoke to them again in parables, saying:
And Jesus went out, and was departing from the temple, and his disciples came to him to point out to him the buildings of the temple.
And as he was sitting upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, and said: 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 heaven be likened to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bride-groom.
For as a man, on leaving his country, called his own servants, and delivered to them his goods:
And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these words, that he said to his disciples:
Then the word was fulfilled which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying: And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that had a price set upon him, on whom some of the children of Israel did set a price,
While he was sitting on the judgment-seat, his wife sent to him, saying: Have nothing to do with that just man, for I have suffered much to-day in a dream, because of him.
When Pilate saw that he gained nothing, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, and said: I am innocent of the blood of this just man; you will see to it.
they gave him vine gar to drink, mingled with gall; and when he had tasted it, he refused to drink.
Go, therefore, make disciples of all nations, immersing them (the disciples) into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit;
And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees were in the habit of fasting; and they came, and said to him: Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples fast not?
And the Pharisees said to him: See, why are they doing on the sabbath-day what is not lawful?
And the scribes who had come down from Jerusalem said: He has Beelzebul; and by the prince of the demons he casts out the demons.
then the Pharisees and the scribes asked him: Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?
And as he was going out from the temple, one of his disciples said to him: Teacher, see what stones and what buildings! And Jesus answering, said to him: Do you see 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 these things are about to be accomplished? Jesus answering them, began to say: Take heed, lest any one deceive you. read more. For many will come in my name, saying, I am he, and will deceive many. But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, be not troubled; for these things must be: but not yet is the end. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines, and tumults. These are the beginning of sorrows. But take heed to yourselves; for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be scourged in the synagogues; and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them. And the gospel must first be preached among all the nations. But when they lead you to deliver you up, be not anxious beforehand, nor premeditate what you shall speak; but what ever shall be given you in that hour, that do you speak; for it is not you that speak, but the Holy Spirit. Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father the child; and children will rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death; and you will be hated by all on my account. But he that endures to the end shall be saved. But when you see that detestable thing that makes desolate, which is spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that reads understand,) then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains; let not him that is on the house-top go down into his house, nor enter in to take any thing from his house; and let not him that is in the field turn back to take his mantle. But alas for those who are with child, and for those who give suck in those days. And pray that your flight may not be in the winter. For these will be the days of affliction, such as has not been from the beginning of the creation which God created, till this time, and will never be. And unless the Lord had made those days few, no flesh could be saved: but for the sake of the elect whom he has chosen, he has made those days few. And then, if any one say to you: Lo! here is the Christ, or, Lo! there; believe him not. For false Christs and false prophets will arise, and will show signs and wonders, in order to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. But do you take heed: behold, I have told you all things beforehand. But in those days, after that affliction, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give her light, and the stars of heaven will fall, and the hosts that are in the heavens will be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And then will ho send his angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the most distant part of earth to the most distant part of heaven. But learn a parable from the fig-tree: As soon as its branch becomes tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So, also, when you see these things coming to pass, know that it is near, at the doors. Verily I say to you, this generation shall not pass away, till all these things take place. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. But of that day or that hour no one knows: neither the angels who are in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father. Take heed, watch and pray: for you know not when the time is. As a man, going into another country, leaves his house, and gives authority to his servants, and to each one his own work, and commands the door-keeper to watch; watch you therefore; for you know not when the master of the house comes, whether at evening, or at midnight, or at the crowing of the cock, or in the morning; lest he come suddenly, and find you sleeping. 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 reclined at table, there came a woman that had an alabaster box of ointment of pure nard, very costly; and she broke the box, and poured it on his head.
And they gave him wine mingled with myrrh, to drink: but he did not receive it.
And when he saw their faith, he said to him: Man, your sins are forgiven you.
And when he saw their faith, he said to him: Man, your sins are forgiven you.
And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: Blessed are you that are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you that hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you that weep now, for you shall laugh. read more. Blessed are you when men shall hate you, and shall withdraw themselves from you, and reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, on account of the Son of man. Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy; for behold, your reward is great in heaven: for so did their fathers to the prophets. But alas for you that are rich! for you have received your consolation. Alas for you that are full! for you shall be hungry. Alas for you that laugh now! for you shall mourn and weep. Alas for you, when men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets. But I say to you that hear: Love your enemies; do good to them that hate you; bless them that curse you; pray for them that abuse you. To him that strikes you on one cheek, offer also the other; and from him that takes away your mantle, withhold not your coat. Give to every one that asks of you; and of him that takes away your goods, ask them not again. And as you would that men should do to you, do you also in like manner to them. And if you love them that love you, what thanks have you? for even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to them that do good to you, what thanks have you? for even sinners do the same. And if you lend to them from whom you hope to receive, what thanks have you? for even sinners lend to sinners, that they may receive the same.
And he said to them: "When you pray, say, Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth. Give us, day by day, the bread sufficient for our support; 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 the evil one.
And when the multitudes were crowded together, he began to say: This is an evil generation; it asks for a sign, and no sign shall be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet.
And he said to his disciples: For this reason I say to you, Be not anxious for your life, what you shall eat; nor for your body, what you shall put on.
For when you are going with your opponent at law to the ruler, while you are on the way, endeavor to be delivered from him, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the collector, and the collector throw you into prison.
And they asked him, saying: Teacher, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign when these things come to pass?
And the "WORD became flesh, and tabernacled among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and of truth.
And he that saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true, and he knows that he speaks the truth, that you may believe;
Verily, verily I say to you, when you were young, you girded yourself, and walked whither you chose; but when you have become old, you shall stretch forth your hands, and another shall gird you, and lead you whither you would not.
Much in every respect; but chiefly that the oracles of God were intrusted to them.
After that, he was seen by James, then by all the apostles.