Knowing The Word in Matthew

Here is more of my introduction to Matthew:

In second-century Christian writings, Matthew is quoted more frequently than Mark (as was Luke) and even Paul. Matthew seems to have had a place of importance above all the New Testament writings. If Mark had been first, we would expect to see some evidence of its popularity or respect above Matthew, but we have no evidence of this.

Within the text itself, Matthew shares sections with Mark where either he expands on what Mark has written or Mark had shortened Matthew. It tends to make more sense that perhaps Mark to a “Reader’s Digest” approach and shortened Matthew’s account for his particular audience. We can also use verses from the three synoptic gospels that show how it makes more sense that Matthew and Luke were written before Mark:

• Matthew 8:16—That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick.

• Luke 4:40—Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them.

• Mark 1:32—That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons.

If Mark writes first, then Luke chooses to change what he obtained from Mark. If Mark writes last, then he combines what he finds in Matthew and Luke. Additionally, Matthew and Luke record eight healing miracles but Mark has ten. Mark’s additional two are the saliva miracles in 7:32-35 and 8:24. It makes more sense that Mark added these rather than Matthew and Luke happened to exclude the exact same two miracles.