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
All this happened that the word of the Lord spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled.
There he remained until the death of Herod, in order that the word of the Lord through the prophet might be fulfilled, which says, Out of Egypt I called my son.
There he remained until the death of Herod, in order that the word of the Lord through the prophet might be fulfilled, which says, Out of Egypt I called my son.
in fulfilment of the word spoken through the Prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.
in order that these words spoken through Isaiah the prophet, might be fulfilled:
"Do not suppose that I am come to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I am come not to destroy, but to fulfil.
Now when Jesus had finished his discourse, the crowds were astounded at his teaching,
"I tell you that many will come from the east and from the west, and sit down with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.
that the word spoken through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, He took upon himself our weaknesses, and bore the burden of our diseases.
And as he went on from thence two blind men followed Jesus, crying, "Have pity on us, Son of David!"
And as they were departing a dumb demoniac was brought to him,
After finishing his instructions to his twelve disciples, Jesus left that place, in order to teach and to preach in the neighboring cities.
At that time Jesus walked through the wheat fields one Sabbath Day; and his disciples were hungry, and began to pluck some ears of wheat and to eat them.
that the word spoken through Isaiah, the prophet, might be fulfilled.
Then they brought to him a blind and deaf demoniac; and he healed him, so that the dumb both spoke and saw.
In reply Jesus told them. "An evil and faithless generation seeks a sign, and no sign will be given them except the sign of the prophet Jonah.
in fulfilment of the word spoken by the prophet, I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things kept secret since the foundation of the world."
And he did no mighty works there, because of their lack of faith.
Peter answered, "Master, if it is you, bid me come to you upon the water."
Then he enjoined his disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ. After this Jesus the Christ began to show his disciples how he must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things at the hands of the elders and chief priests and Scribes, and be put to death, and on the third day be raised again.
Six days later Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John, and led them up a high mountain, by themselves apart. Here he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun, and his garments became as white as the light. read more. And behold! Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus. "Master, it is good that we are here! If you are willing I will make here three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." While he was yet speaking, behold! a luminous cloud overshadowed them; and a voice out of the cloud, saying. "This is my Son, my Beloved, in whom is my delight. Listen to him." When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came to them and touched them, saying, "Rise, have no fear!" And when they raised their eyes they saw no one save Jesus only.
As they came into Capernaum the collectors of the temple tax came to Peter and asked, "Does not your Teacher pay the temple tax?"
It came about after Jesus had finished these teachings, that he removed from Galilee, and went to that part of Judea which lay across the Jordan.
"For the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who went out at dawn to hire workmen for his vineyard.
And when they approached Jerusalem, and had reached Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them.
This happened in fulfilment of the word spoken though the prophet.
"Listen to another parable: "A man who was a householder planted a vineyard, fenced it about, dug a wine vat in it, built a tower, then rented it to vine-dressers and went abroad.
"I tell you that for this reason the kingdom of God will be taken away from you, and will be given to a nation that does produce the fruit of it.
Then Jesus left the Temple courts and was walking away, when his disciples came to point out to him the Temple buildings.
When he had seated himself on the Mount of Olives, his disciples came to him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age?"
"Then will the kingdom of heaven be likened to ten maidens who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom and the bride.
"For it is like a man going into another country, who summoned his slaves, and committed his property to their care.
Now it happened that after Jesus had finished all these discourses, he said to his disciples,
Then was fulfilled the word spoken by the prophet Jeremiah. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him who had been priced, whom certain of the Children of Israel had priced;
And while he was seated upon the judgment-seat, his wife had sent to him, saying, "Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered many things today, in a dream, because of him."
So when Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but that on the contrary a riot was threatening, he took water and washed his hands in the presence of the crowd, saying. "I am innocent of the blood of this man; you must answer for it."
they gave Jesus wine to drink, mingled with gall. But after tasting it he refused to drink it.
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit;
Now the disciples of John and the Pharisees were keeping a fast, and people came to ask him, "How is it that the disciples of John and the Pharisees are fasting, but your disciples are not?"
"Look," said the Pharisees to him, "Why are they doing on the Sabbath Day what is against the law?"
The Scribes also who had come down from Jerusalem, said, "He is Beelzebub," and, "He casts out demons by the power of the Prince of the demons."
So the Pharisees and Scribes asked him. "Why do your disciples not follow the traditions of the elders? Why do they eat with 'common' unwashed hands?"
As Jesus was walking out of the Temple courts, one of his disciples said to him, "Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and buildings these are!" "You see these mighty buildings? There shall not be left here one stone upon another which shall not be thrown down," he answered.
"Tell us when these things shall be, and what shall be the sign that all these predictions are about to be fulfilled." So Jesus began to tell them. read more. "Be ye watchful lest any one mislead you. Many will come in my name, saying, 'I am he,' and will mislead many. But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars do not be dismayed, such things must come, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise in arms against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines; these are the beginning of birth-pangs. "You yourselves must be on your guard. They will hand you over to the courts, and you will be flogged on the synagogues; and you will stand before rulers and kings for my sake, to witness to them for me. But the gospel must first be proclaimed to all the nations. When, however, they are leading you all to trial, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say, but whatever is given you in that hour, that say, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. "And brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise up against their parents, and have them put to death. You will be hated by all men for my name's sake, but he that endures to the end shall be saved. "But when you see the Abomination of Desolation 'standing where he ought not' (let the reader ponder this), then let those in Judea flee to the mountains; let him who is on the housetop not go down, nor go in to get anything out of his house; and he who is in the field, let him not turn back to get his cloak. And alas for the pregnant women, and for those that are nursing their infants in those days! Pray that it may not come in the winter. For those will be days of suffering the like of which has never been from the beginning of God's creation until now, and never shall be. And had not the Lord cut short those days, not a single person would escape; but for the elect's sake whom he has chosen, he has cut them short. "At that time if any one tell you, 'See, here is Christ,' or 'See, there he is,' do not believe it; for false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show signs and wonders, to lead astray the very chosen, if they can. Be on your guard! I have told you it all beforehand. "But when the tribulation is past, in those days the sun will be darkened and the moon will not shed her light, and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then will they see the Son of man coming in clouds, with great power and glory. Then he will send forth the angels and gather his chosen from the four winds, from uttermost earth to uttermost sky. "From the fig tree learn now her parable; as soon as ever her branches are full of sap and bursting into leaf, you know that summer is near. So also do you, whenever you see these things happening, know that He is near, at your very door. I tell you truly that the present generation shall not pass until all these things begin to happen. Earth and sky shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. But concerning that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed! Awake! for you never know the time. As a man gone abroad and leaving his house gives authority to his slaves, to each his task; and orders the porter to keep watch; keep watch then, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming??n the evening, at midnight, at cockcrow, or in the morning??36 lest he should come unexpectedly and find you sleeping;
And while he was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the Leper, while he was dining, a woman came with an alabaster vase of very costly, pure spikenard perfume, and, breaking the vase, she poured the perfume on his head.
There they attempted to give him wine mingled with myrrh; but he refused it.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to him, "Man, your sins are forgiven you!"
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to him, "Man, your sins are forgiven you!"
Then raising his eyes upon his disciples he began to say to them. "Blessed are you poor, For the kingdom of God is yours. "Blessed are you who are hungry now, For you shall be filled. "Blessed are you who are wailing now, For you shall laugh. read more. "Blessed are you when men shall hate you, And excommunicate you and reproach you, and cast out your name as evil because of the Son of man. "Rejoice in that day and exult, For your reward is great in heaven; For even so did their fathers to the prophets. "But woe to you rich! For you already have received your consolation. "Woe unto you who are full now! For you shall suffer hunger. "Woe to you who are laughing now! For you shall wail and weep. "Woe to you when all men shall speak well of you! For even so did their fathers to the false prophets. "But to you who are listening to me I say, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, Bless those who curse you, pray for those who calumniate you. To him who gives you a blow on the jaw Turn the other jaw also; And from him who is robbing you of your cloak Withhold not your coat also. Give to every one who asks you; And do not demand your goods back from him who is taking them away. And as you would like men to do to you, So do you also to them. "If you love those who love you what credit is it to you? Why even sinners love those who love them. "And if you are kind to those who are kind to you, what credit is it to you? Even sinners do the same. "And if you lend to those from whom you are hoping to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, so as to get as much back.
So he said to them. "When you pray, say, "Father, hallowed be thy name; May thy kingdom come, "Give us day by day our bread for the coming day; read more. "Forgive us our sins; for we also forgive everyone who has offended us; "And bring us not into temptation."
When the crowd were beginning to throng about him he proceeded to say. "This is an evil generation! It seeks a sign, and there shall be no sign be given to it except the sign of Jonah;
Then he said to his disciples. "For this is the reason I say to you. Be not anxious for your life, what you shall eat; nor yet your body what shall you wear.
"For as you go before the magistrate with your opponent do your utmost to get quit of him, lest he drag you before the judge, and the judge delivers you over to the officer, and the officer cast you into prison.
"Teacher, when will this be?" they asked him, "and what shall be the sign that these things are about to happen?"
And the Word became flesh and tented with us. And we gazed on his glory??lory as of the Father's only Son??ull of grace and truth.
And he who saw it has borne testimony, and his testimony is trustworthy, and he knows that he is telling the truth in order that you may believe.
"Feed my sheep," said Jesus. "In solemn truth I tell you that when you were young, you used to put on your own girdle, and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old you will stretch out your hands for some one to gird you, and carry you where you do not wish to go."
Much in every way. First of all, because to them were entrusted the oracles of God.