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
Truly, I say to you, you will never get out till you have paid the last penny.
Then he released Barabbas to 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
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
and remained there until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, "Out of Egypt have I called my son."
and remained there until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, "Out of Egypt have I called my son."
Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:
and he went and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by the Prophets might be fulfilled, "He shall be called a Nazarene."
Now when Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee.
that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
And when Jesus had finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching,
When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help,
I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.
This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: "He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases."
And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying out, "Have mercy on us, Son of David."
As they were going out, behold, a mute and demon-possessed man was brought to him.
And when Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.
At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. And his disciples were hungry, and began to pluck heads of grain and to eat.
This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah:
Then they brought to him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and he healed him, so that the mute man both spoke and saw.
But he answered them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign; but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.
So was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet: "I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the foundation of the world."
And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.
And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water."
Then he strictly charged his disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ. From that time Jesus began to show to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised on the third day.
After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. read more. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. And Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make here three tabernaclesone for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. Listen to him!" When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces, and were filled with awe. But Jesus came and touched them and said, "Rise. Don't be afraid." And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.
When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the half-shekel tax went up to Peter and said, "Does not your teacher pay the temple tax?"
Now when Jesus had finished these sayings, he went away from Galilee and entered the region of Judea beyond the Jordan.
"For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.
Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples,
This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying:
"Hear another parable: there was a landowner who planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it and built a tower. And he leased it to vine dressers and went into a far country.
"Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it.
Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came up to point out to him the buildings of the temple.
Now as he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will this be? And what will be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age?"
"Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
"For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them.
When Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples,
Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, "And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him on whom a price had been set by some of the sons of Israel,
While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, "Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered greatly today in a dream because of him."
When Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was starting, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, "I am innocent of this man's blood. See to it yourselves."
they offered him wine to drink, mingled with gall; but when he tasted it, he would not drink it.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Now John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. And people came and said to him, "Why do John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?"
And the Pharisees said to him, "Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?"
And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, "He is possessed by Beelzebub, and by the prince of demons he casts out the demons."
The Pharisees and the scribes asked him, "Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with impure hands?"
And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, "Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!" And Jesus said to him, "Do you see all these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another, that will not be thrown down."
"Tell us, when will this be? And what will be the sign when these things are all to be fulfilled?" And Jesus began to say to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you. read more. Many will come in my name, saying, 'I am he,' and will deceive many. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; such things 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 are the beginning of birth pains. But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them. And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. And when they bring you to trial and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand what you are to say. But say whatever is given you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. And you will be hated by all men for my name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. "When you see 'the abomination of desolation' standing where it ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let him who is on the housetop not go down into the house, nor enter to take anything out of his house. And let him who is in the field not go back to get his cloak. But woe for those who are pregnant and those who are nursing babies in those days! Pray that it may not happen in winter. For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will be. And if the Lord had not shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he shortened the days. Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'Look, he is there!' do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand. "But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then he will send out his angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. "Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away before all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. "But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch; for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Watch thereforefor you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!"
And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly. And she broke the flask and poured it over his head.
Then they offered him wine mingled with myrrh, but he did not take it.
When he saw their faith he said, "Man, your sins are forgiven you."
When he saw their faith he said, "Man, your sins are forgiven you."
He lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: "Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. read more. Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets. But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are full now, for you shall hunger. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets. "But I say to you 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 you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic. Give to everyone who asks of you, and from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. And as you wish that men would do to you, do so to them. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much back.
He said to them, "When you pray, say: 'Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. read more. And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.'"
When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, "This is an evil generation. It seeks a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.
Then he said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about your body, what you will put on.
As you go with your adversary to the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison.
So they asked him, "Teacher, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when they are about to take place?"
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
He who saw it has testified, and his testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth, that you also may believe.
Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go."
Much in every way! To begin with, they are entrusted with the oracles of God.
Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.