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 in no wise come out thence, till thou hast paid the last farthing.
Then released he Barabbas to them, and having 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
(Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled, which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet,
that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet,
And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.
But when Jesus heard, that John was cast into prison, he retired into Galilee.
saying, The land of Zebulon and the land of Naphthali,
Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets: I am not come to destroy but to fulfill.
And when Jesus had ended these sayings, the multitudes were astonished at his teaching, For he taught them as one having authority,
And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came to him a centurion,
And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.
Whereby was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our diseases.
And when Jesus passed thence, two blind men followed him, crying and saying, Thou son of David, have mercy on us.
As they were going out, behold men brought a dumb demoniac to him.
And 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 went on the sabbath thro' the corn, and his disciples were hungry, and plucked the ears of corn and ate.
Behold my servant,
Then was brought to him a demoniac, blind and dumb; and he healed him, so that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.
And he answered and said to them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh a sign, and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of the prophet Jonah.
Whereby was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hid from the foundation of the world.
And he wrought not many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.
And Peter answering him said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come to thee on the water.
Then charged he his disciples, to tell no one, that he was the Christ. From that time Jesus began to shew 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 again the third day.
And after six days, Jesus taketh Peter and James and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them, and his face shone as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. read more. And behold there appeared to them Moses and Elijah talking with him. Then answered Peter 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 yet spake, behold a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold a voice out of the cloud which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I delight: hear ye him. And the disciples hearing it, fell on their face and were sore afraid. And Jesus came and touched them and said, Arise and be not afraid. And lifting up their eyes, they saw no man, but Jesus only. And as they came down from the mountain,
And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received the tribute-mony came to Peter and said, Doth not your master pay the tribute?
And Jesus, when he had finished these sayings, departed from Gacilee, and came into the coasts of Judea beyond Jordan.
For the kingdom of heaven is like an housholder, who went out early in the morning, to hire labourers into his vineyard.
And when they drew nigh to Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives,
This was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet,
Hear another parable. There was a certain housholder, who planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a wine-press in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country.
Therefore I say to you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.
And Jesus answering, spake to them again in parables, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like a king,
And Jesus going out of the temple departed: and his disciples came to him, to shew him the buildings of the temple.
And as he sat on the mount of Olives, his disciples came to 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 world?
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be like ten virgins, who taking their lamps, went forth to meet the bridegroom.
For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his servants, and delivered to them his goods.
And when Jesus had finished all these discourses, he said to his disciples,
Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, There came to him a woman;
Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value,
While he sat on the judgment-seat, his wife sent to him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man; for I have suffered many things to-day in a dream because of him.
But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified. Then Pilate, seeing, that he could prevail nothing, but rather a tumult was made, took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just man: see ye to it.
and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.
Go ye and disciple all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say to him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?
And the Pharisees said to him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath that which is not lawful?
But the scribes who had come down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils.
Then the Pharisees ask him, Why walk not thy disciples, according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with defiled hands?
And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith to him, Master, see what manner of stones, and what manner of buildings! And Jesus answering said to 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 these things shall be fulfilled? And Jesus answering said, Take heed lest any deceive you. read more. For many will come in my name saying, I am Christ, and will deceive many. But when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be not troubled; for it must be; but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginning of sorrows. But take heed to yourselves for they will deliver you to councils, and ye shall be beaten in synagogues, and shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them. And the gospel must first be published among all nations. But when they shall hale you and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak; for it is not yet that speak, but the Holy Ghost. Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son: and children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake; but he that endureth to the end, he shall be saved. But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand) then let them that are in Judea flee to the mountains: And let not him that is on the house-top go down into the house, neither enter in, to take any thing out of his house. And let not him that is in the field, turn back to take up his garment. But wo to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days. And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter. For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creat`on, which God created until now, neither shall be. And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened those days. Then if any man say to you, Lo, here is Christ, or lo, he is there, believe it not. For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things. But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, And the stars of heaven shall fall, 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 power and great glory. And then shall he send his angels, and gather together his elect, from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth, to the uttermost part of heaven. Now learn a parable from the fig-tree. When its branch is now tender and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near. So likewise when ye see these things come to pass, know that he is nigh, even at the door. Verily I say to you, this generation shall in no wise pass, till all these things be done. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall in no wise pass away. But of that day and hour knoweth no one, no, not the angels that are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take heed; watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore; for ye know not when the master of the house cometh; at evening, or at midnight, or at cock-crowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all, Watch.
And he being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at table, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment, of spikenard, very costly; and shaking the box, she poured it on his head.
And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh; but he received it not.
And seeing their faith, he said to him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.
And seeing their faith, he said to him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.
And lifting up his eyes on his disciples, he said, Happy are ye poor: for your's is the kingdom of God. Happy are ye that hunger now; for ye shall be satisfied: happy are ye that weep now; for ye shall laugh. read more. Happy are ye when men shall hate you, and shall separate you from their company, and shall revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy; for behold your reward is great in heaven; for in like manner did their fathers to the prophets. But wo to you that are rich; for ye have your consolation. Wo to you that are full; for ye shall hunger: wo to you that laugh now; for ye shall mourn and weep. Wo to you, when all 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 despitefully use you. And to him that smiteth thee on the cheek, offer also the other: and him that taketh away thy cloke, forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh thee, and of him that taketh away thy goods, ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. For if ye love them that love you, what thank have ye? For sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them that do good to you, what thank have ye? For even sinners do the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? For even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
And he said to them, When ye 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 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 the multitudes being gathered thick together, he said, This is an evil generation: it seeketh a sign; but no sign shall be given it, save the sign of Jonah.
And he said to his disciples, Therefore I say to you, Take no thought for your life what ye shall eat, neither for the body what ye shall put on.
When thou art going with thine adversary to the magistrate, give diligence in the way to be delivered from him: lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison.
And they asked him saying, Master, when shall these things be? And what is the sign, when these things shall come to pass?
And the Word was made flesh, and tabernacled 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, hath testified it, and his testimony is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye may believe.
Verily, verily I say unto thee, when thou wast young, thou didst gird thyself, and walk whither thou wouldest: but when thou art old, thou shalt stretch out thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.
Much every way; chiefly in that they were intrusted with the oracles of God.
After this he was seen by James, then by all the apostles.