Hey everybody this is Steve and this is a brief introduction to the Gospel according
to Matthew.
Matthew is, of course, one of the 4 Gospel accounts we find right at the start of the
collection of 27 books and letters that make up the New Testament canon.
Though the author of Matthew isn't recorded anywhere in the Gospel account itself, at
least in the earliest texts that we have, the received tradition of the Church identifies
the author as "Matthew the tax collector," whom Jesus calls to be a disciple in chapter
9 of the Gospel account.
Matthew himself seems to have been born in Galilee, and probably knew both Aramaic and
Greek.
And though he was Jewish, the people would have hated him because he was a tax collector:
someone who gathered money for the Roman Empire which had conquered them and occupied their
land.
The earliest evidence we have concerning who wrote this Gospel is an account by Papias,
who was the bishop of Hieropolis in the 2nd century.
The Church historian Eusebius quotes Papias, who said that Matthew collected stories about
the life of Jesus in the Hebrew or Aramaic language and then translated them into Greek.
But scholars don't think the text that we have is a translation.
It seems it was simply written in Greek.
So it's hard to tell exactly what the connection is between the text that Papias described
and the text we have.
A majority of contemporary scholars date the Gospel according to Matthew to around the
year 80AD, and sometime after Mark's Gospel account.
In fact, Matthew's account draws heavily from Mark; you can even describe it as a sort of
revision or reorganization of Mark's Gospel.
The Gospel according to Matthew also shares some common traditions with Luke, yet it also
includes details that are unique to Matthew:
Things like the coming of the Magi, the slaying of the innocents, the guard placed at Jesus'
tomb, and the appearance of the resurrected Jesus to disciples on a mountain in Galilee.
Many Fathers of the Church call Matthew's account "the Queen of the Gospels," and it's
no surprise that the Church places it as the very first book of the New Testament canon.
It's a beautiful, thorough, and intentionally designed book that's meant for the Church
to read when Christians assemble for worship.
Matthew's Gospel account begins with a genealogy and Jesus' birth, and ends with the Great
Commission He gave to His disciples after the resurrection.
The entire book is organized into 5 major parts: Jesus' commandments in the Sermon on
the Mount, a discourse on authority and discipleship, parables, teachings about the Church, and
teachings about the last days.
And these major discourses are broken up by miracle stories and encounters that Jesus
has with His disciples and others.
It's probably not an accident that Matthew is divided into 5 major parts; paralleling
the Torah, the Law, which is the first 5 books of the Old Testament.
In fact, everything about the Gospel according to Matthew suggests that it was written in
the Church and for the Church.
One of the earliest descriptions of Christian worship comes from St Justin Martyr, writing
around the year 150 AD.
And he describes the Church's worship as having basically the same two-part structure that
services in Jewish synagogues had, and that we still have today in the Orthodox Church.
First, there would be a reading and a sermon to explain it.
And second there would be prayers.
Of course, if you've ever celebrated the Divine Liturgy, this two-part structure is very familiar.
The first part of the Liturgy leads up to the reading and sermon.
And the second part is made of the prayers that lead up to Holy Communion.
In the Church, these readings are what Justin called "the memoirs of the Apostles," what
we today call the Gospel accounts: which both describe the life of Jesus and help us understand
what our own lives, as Christians, should look like.
Matthew's Gospel account seems specifically written to meet that need: to be a book that
Christians could read when they gathered together for worship.
A book to teach us about the life of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and inspire us to
act in a way worthy of our calling as Christians.
As we wrap it up, here are 4 things to keep in mind when you read to help give you a bit
of context and better understand the Gospel according to Matthew.
First, each of the 4 Gospel accounts is traditionally represented by a particular image in iconography,
which helps explain that Gospel account's overall theme or focus.
And Matthew's Gospel is represented by a person with wings.
This represents Christ's human nature.
The Gospel account begins with a genealogy, a list of Jesus's ancestors beginning with
Abraham.
And it also focuses on ways we're called to live up to that human nature, to become truly
human in Christ, to live a righteous and holy life.
Second, Matthew focuses a lot on Jesus's ethical teachings, the practical advice that we need
to live as His followers.
We mentioned earlier that the Gospel is divided up into 5 basic discourses, where Jesus offers
us instruction on our common life in the Church as well as our personal lives as Christians.
These "commandments," as Jesus calls them, are so important that they're a part of the
Great Commision he gives His disciples at the very end of the Gospel account:
"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, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded
you."
(Matthew 28:19-20)
Third, Matthew shows how the New Testament is both consistent with and pushes beyond
the Old Testament.
For example, during the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells us that we've all heard the commandment
to not kill.
Yet Jesus tells us that we need to go a step further: to avoid anger, to even avoid calling
another person a fool.
Just like it's not enough to simply not fall into the act of adultery: we need to avoid
even having lust in our hearts.
Jesus is, in a sense, raising the bar.
Asking us to push the boundaries the Law of the Old Testament even further: to see people
as God sees us; to love unconditionally, to even love our enemies; to cultivate pure and
compassionate hearts like our Father in heaven.
And fourth, Matthew focuses on the incredible meekness and humility of Jesus Christ.
Frequently in Matthew's Gospel account, we see that people are confused by Jesus.
In chapter 13, for example, we read that Jesus didn't work any miracles in His hometown of
Nazareth.
Because the people saw Him as nothing but the son of a poor carpenter, and didn't believe.
When He enters Jerusalem for Holy Week, in chapter 21, he does so while riding a donkey,
not a war horse or great chariot (as you might expect from the Messiah, coming to free His
people).
But Jesus wasn't the glorious, conquering hero some people expected.
In fact, He describes Himself in a totally different way when He invites us to turn to
Him for rest and comfort:
"Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you
rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you
will find rest for your souls."
That's why, when offering us the Beatitudes in chapter 5, Christ tells us that "Blessed
are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven....[and] Blessed are the
meek, for they will inherit the earth."
Because *He* is poor in Spirit.
*He* is meek and humble.
And Matthew's Gospel is written for us, the Church, who await His Second Coming and, in
the meantime, are called to be like Him.
To imitate Him: our humble and loving Lord.
As you read the Gospel according to Matthew, keep these four points in mind: 1.
The emphasis on Christ's human nature, which we share with Him; 2.
The highlighting of Christ's ethical teachings; 3.
The continuity between the Old and New Testaments; and 4.
The incredible meekness and humility of Jesus Christ.
Tell us in the comments how you notice these four things as you begin to engage with the
Scripture; and then join us in our weekly video series, Live the Word.
Most importantly, I hope you'll celebrate with us this Sunday and every Sunday, to hear
the beautiful Scripture readings proclaimed during the Divine Liturgy and to learn how
you can Live the Word.
Thanks for watching.
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