I'm Back in Business with Matthew

In 2020 I'll be writing about the Gospel of Matthew.

In the early second century Church, the most frequently quoted Gospel of was Matthew. Why? Perhaps it was because Matthew was placed first in almost every early list of scriptures of the New Testament. Why? Perhaps it was thought to have been the first Gospel written, even though few scholars take that position today. Or perhaps it was because the early Christians were quite conscious of their Jewish faith roots and Matthew’s Gospel more than the other three provided a perspective on this issue, helping to bridge between the New and Old Testaments. One thing, however, is clear: God intended the Church to have four Gospels and not just one. Having four gospels gives us a clear picture of who Jesus is. Yet, we can also enjoy studying the differences between the four, appreciating what we learn from them.

John is the most distinctive of the gospels because it is quite different than Matthew, Mark, and Luke, which are known as the synoptic gospels. These three gospels all follow a very similar outline of the life of Jesus and share common material. Approximately 90% of Mark is reproduced in Matthew or Luke, which has led recent scholarship to declare that Mark was written first based upon the testimony of Peter. Matthew and Luke then used it and another unknown written source (called “Q” by New Testament scholars) to form their gospels. However, in early church history the Church Fathers refer to Matthew and not Mark when quoting Scripture. Why is this? When analyzing Paul’s letters it seems that he had access to Matthew’s Gospel rather than Mark’s or even his good friend Luke’s. Having thought for years that Mark was the first gospel written, I have now changed my mind and would argue for the priority of Matthew. Here is a sampling of the evidence which has led me to matthean priority:

The Church Fathers:

• Papius (c. 70-150): “So Matthew composed the oracles in the Hebrew language and each person interpreted them as best he could.”

• Origen (182-254) said the first gospel was written by Matthew in Hebrew.

• Irenaeus (130-202) was grandson in the faith of John by Polycarp of Smyrna. He said the first gospel was written by Matthew in land of the Hebrews in their own language.

• Eusebias (263-339): Matthew had first preached to Hebrews and wrote in their own language.

• Jerome (347-420): “Matthew was the first to compose in Hebrew and his text is still available in [library near Bethlehem].” He even challenged his critics to go see it if they doubted.