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Introduction To Matthew
The New Testament has its roots in the Jewish laws and prophecies of the Old Testament. Therefore, it is very appropriate that the Gospel of Matthew comes first among the Gospels: it was written to portray Jesus as the promised Messiah. Jesus is referred to as the “Son of David” nine times in this Gospel (Matthew 1:1; 9:27; 12:23; 15:22; 20:30-31; 21:9, 15; and 22:42). Since Matthew was writing to the Jews who were in great expectation for the kingdom promised in the Old Testament to appear (Daniel 7:22 and Acts 2:16-18), he used the word “kingdom” more than fifty times. Also, the phrase “kingdom of heaven” is used thirty-three times and is not found anywhere else in the New Testament. The genealogy listed in Matthew 1 shows Jesus as the Son of David, which would have to be made clear for any knowledgeable Jew to accept Jesus as the Christ.Authorship
a. Internal evidence: There is no internal evidence to suggest Matthew was the author. The call of Matthew and his subsequent banquet for Jesus are recorded in Matthew 9:9-10, but there is nothing in the account to suggest that Matthew did or did not write it. However, it is clear as one studies this Gospel that the author was writing from a Jewish perspective.b. External evidence: There is such an abundance of external evidence to prove that Matthew was the author of this Gospel that it cannot be ignored. There is no biblical reference to Matthew being martyred, and the extra-biblical references that we have about him say he ministered in Judaea for fifteen years (might be supported by Acts 1:26, 15:2; with Galatians 2:1-2), then in Ethiopia and other lands. Whatever the case, we have no reason to believe that Matthew was not still alive toward the end of the first century. Certainly, his family, or converts, lived well into the second century where we have abundant references to Matthew as the author of the first Gospel. If the commonly accepted view among the early church of Matthew’s authorship had not been true, it would no doubt have been challenged by those who were closely associated with the apostle. However, no record of any such challenge exists, only references to Matthew as the author.
In A.D. 130, Papias said, “So, Matthew composed the oracles in the Hebrew language and each one interpreted them as he was able.” Also, Irenaeus (A.D. 180), Origen (A.D. 230), and Eusebius (A.D. 330) all made reference to Matthew as the author of the first Gospel.
Based on seemingly universal belief among the early church of Matthew’s authorship and no biblical evidence to the contrary, it can be supposed that Matthew was indeed the author. It is certainly permissible to refer to this writing as Matthew’s Gospel for the purpose of distinguishing it from other Gospel accounts.
I have made a deliberate attempt to show that the evidence for this decision is based on evidence not found in the inspired Word of God, and this conclusion should be received with that in mind.
Date of Writing
a. Internal evidence: Again, there is no internal evidence in this Gospel to establish the date it was written. Many have thought that the prophecies in Matthew 24 show that this Gospel was written before A.D. 70, when Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed by the Romans. Their reasoning is that if the destruction of Jerusalem had already taken place, it would be reflected in the writer’s account. However, the Gospel writers wrote with a noticeable detachment that refrained from interpretation or application. Therefore, it is not certain from Matthew’s rendering of Jesus’ prophecy in Matthew 24:1-2 that this account was written before the destruction of the temple in A.D. 70.b. External evidence: The facts we have access to outside the Bible do not conclusively establish the date of writing either. The date this Gospel was written has been traditionally accepted as being A.D. 37. However, Irenaeus, who wrote in approximately A.D. 180, says that Matthew wrote his Gospel when Peter and Paul were preaching in Rome. That would date this Gospel around A.D. 61.
There also exists a book called “The Epistle of Barnabas” that Bishop Lightfoot has placed as being written during the reign of Vespasian (A.D. 70-79), given statements made within the epistle. In this epistle, the writer quoted from Matthew 22:14 and introduced the quote by the phrase “as it is written,” which was and is the customary way of referring to Scripture. This would date Matthew’s Gospel before this “Epistle of Barnabas” and would place a limit on that date of no later than A.D. 70.
It is important to note that the authenticity of Irenaeus’ statement and the whole “Epistle of Barnabas” have been questioned by many scholars, so that there is no consensus of opinion on them. The time at which Matthew wrote this Gospel can only be placed between A.D. 37 and the end of the first century.
About the Author
a. Internal information: Matthew is mentioned by that name only five times in the Bible (Matthew 9:9, 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; and Acts 1:13). He is referred to in other references to the twelve apostles, or the “eleven” as they were called in Acts 1:26. He is called Levi in Mark 2:14; Luke 5:27, and 29. He apparently changed his name from Levi to Matthew, as Saul changed to Paul.Matthew was a publican, or tax collector, for the Roman government (Matthew 9:9, Mark 2:14, and Luke 5:27), which was a position despised by Jews (Matthew 9:10-11). Matthew was also a Jew, and that made his affinity with the Romans a traitorous act in the eyes of the Jews.
Mark 2:14 calls Matthew the son of Alphaeus. Luke 6:15-16 calls two other apostles (James and Judas) the sons of Alphaeus also. It is possible that the name Alphaeus was a common name and that these men were not related. It is also possible that Matthew was the brother of James and Judas just as it appears.
We can suppose that Matthew was “well off” financially, as were all publicans (usually by dishonesty), and as Luke 5:29 would suggest.
There is not recorded for us even one word that Matthew spoke. As with most of the twelve apostles, Matthew personally missed many of the actions of Jesus that he reported in his Gospel [e.g., Jesus raising Jairus’ daughter from the dead (Mark 5:37-43), and Jesus being transfigured (Matthew 17:1-2), etc.].
It can be guessed that Matthew, being one of the twelve apostles, stayed in Jerusalem (Acts 8:1) for at least fourteen years (Acts 15:2 with Galatians 2:1-2) and was a part of the governing head over the church at Jerusalem (Acts 15:2).
b. External information: The external information about Matthew is limited. Dake stated that tradition says Matthew preached in Ethiopia, as well as other lands, and did not die a martyr’s death.
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Related to commentary: Bible commentary
com·men·tar·y
(kŏm′ən-tĕr′ē)n.pl.com·men·tar·ies1.a. Explanation or interpretation in the form of a series of comments or observations: 'The Spectator was a widely appreciated model of urbane social commentary mingled with popularized philosophy'(Leo Damrosch).
b. An ongoing series of spoken remarks, especially during a television or radio broadcast of an event: Two retired players did the commentary for the game.
2. An apt explanation or illustration: a scandal that is a sad commentary on national politics.
3. often commentariesa. An expository treatise or series of annotations; an exegesis: a commentary on Plato's Republic; biblical commentaries.
b. A narrative of historical events of which one has personal experience: Caesar's commentaries on the war in Gaul.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
commentary
(ˈkɒməntərɪ; -trɪ) n, pl-taries1. (Literary & Literary Critical Terms) an explanatory series of notes or comments
2. (Broadcasting) a spoken accompaniment to a broadcast, film, etc, esp of a sporting event
3. (Literary & Literary Critical Terms) an explanatory essay or treatise on a text
4. (Literary & Literary Critical Terms) (usually plural) a personal record of events or facts: the commentaries of Caesar.
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
com•men•tar•y
(ˈkɒm ənˌtɛr i)Commentity J Crew
n., pl.![Commentary Commentary](/uploads/1/1/7/8/117872782/851116468.jpg)
1. a series of comments, explanations, or annotations.
3. anything serving to illustrate a point, prompt a realization, or exemplify: The dropout rate is a sad commentary on our school system.
4. Usu., commentaries. a record of facts or events.
[1375–1425; late Middle English commentaries (pl.) < Latin commentārium notebook]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
comment
– commentary1. 'comment'A comment is something you say that expresses your opinion of something.
It is unnecessary for me to add any comment.
2. 'commentary'A commentary is a description of an event that is broadcast on radio or television while the event is taking place.
We gathered round the radio to listen to the commentary.
The programme will include live commentary on the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Collins COBUILD English Usage © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 2004, 2011, 2012
Noun | 1. | commentary - a written explanation or criticism or illustration that is added to a book or other textual material; 'he wrote an extended comment on the proposal' statement - a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc; 'according to his statement he was in London on that day' Midrash - (Judaism) an ancient commentary on part of the Hebrew scriptures that is based on Jewish methods of interpretation and attached to the biblical text annotation, notation, note - a comment or instruction (usually added); 'his notes were appended at the end of the article'; 'he added a short notation to the address on the envelope' |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
commentary
noun1.narration, report, review, explanation, description, voice-overHe gave the listening crowd a running commentary on the game.
2.analysis, notes, review, critique, treatiseHe will be writing a twice-weekly commentary on American society and culture.
3.explanation, illustration, exposition, annotation, exegesis, elucidationThe review includes a textual commentary.
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
commentary
noun1. A narrative of experiences undergone by the writer.Often used in plural:
2. Critical explanation or analysis:annotation, comment, exegesis, interpretation, note.
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
komentář
lÿsing
実況解説
reportaža
การแสดงความคิดเห็น คำวิจารณ์
bài bình luận
commentary
[ˈkɒməntərɪ]A.N (gen) → comentariom (Rad, TV) (on sporting event) → crónicaf; (on text) → comentariom (de texto)
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
commentary
[ˈkɒməntəri]n(on sports event, match) → commentairem (en direct)
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
commentary
n → Kommentarm → (on zu); he used to do commentaries on football matches → früher war er Reporter bei Fußballspielen; I don’t need a running commentary from you → ich brauche deine ständigenKommentarenicht
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
commentary
[ˈkɒmənt/ərɪ]nb. (on text) → commento
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
comment
(ˈkoment) noun (a) spoken or written remark. He made several comments about her untidy appearance. opmerking, aanmerking تَعْليق، تَعْقيب коментар comentário poznámka die Bemerkung kommentar; bemærkning σχόλιοcomentario märkus, märge اظهار؛ گفته kommentti commentaireהערה टीका-टिप्पणी komenta, primjedba, opaska kommentár komentar umsögn commento 批評 의견 pastaba, komentaras komentārs; atsauksme komen opmerkingkommentar, bemerkning, merknad, kritikkuwaga, komentarz تبصره، يا دونه، انتقادى او تشريحى وينا comentário comentariu замечание poznámka pripomba komentar kommentar ข้อคิดเห็น söz, düşünce, yorum 評論 коментар زبانی یا تحریری رائے lời bình 评论
verb (with on) to make such a remark. He commented on her appearance. opmerk, aanmerk يُعَلِّق، يُعَقِّب коментирам comentar komentovat sich äußern kommentere; bemærke σχολιάζωcomentar märkusi tegema, märkmeid tegema اظهار نظر کردن kommentoida commenter qqch. לְהָעִיר टीका-टिप्पणी करना komentirati magyaráz, megjegyzést fűz vmihez memberi komentar gera athugasemd (við) commentare 批評する 의견을 말하다 pareikšti nuomonę, daryti pastabą komentēt; dot atsauksmi membuat komen commentaar geven kommentere, uttale seg omkomentować خپل نظر وركول comentar a comenta, a discuta делать замечание komentovať pripomniti komentarisati kommentera แสดงความคิดเห็น yorumlamak 評論 коментувати رائے دینا bình luận 评论
ˈcommentary – plural ˈcommentaries – noun (also running commentary) a series of broadcast comments by a reporter at a ceremony, sports event etc. kommentaar تَعْليق، تَعْقيب репортаж comentário komentář der Kommentar reportage περιγραφή, σχόλιοcomentario, crítica kommentaar, reportaaž تفسیر؛ گزارش selostus commentaireפרשנות आंखो देखा हाल komentar közvetítés ulasan lÿsing commentario 実況解説 해설 reportažas, komentaras komentārs ulasan reportagereportasje; øyeblikksreportasjesprawozdanie, komentarz يولړتبصرې comentárioкомментарий komentár reportaža prenos uz komentare kommentar คำวิจารณ์ naklen yayın 實況轉播 коментар, репортаж تبصرہ ، اظہار رائے sự tường thuật 实况报道
ˈcommentate (-teit) verb to give a commentary. Who is commentating on the football match? uitsaai, kommentaar lewer op يُقَدِّمُ تَعْليقا правя коментар comentar komentovat kommentieren lave en reportage; kommentere περιγράφωcomentar kommenteerima تفسیر کردن selostaa commenter לְשָדֵר בְּלִווי פָּרשָנוּת आंखो देखा हाल बताना komentirati közvetít mengomentari lÿsa commentare, fare la radiocronaca/telecronaca 解説する 해설하다 komentuoti komentēt mengulas verslaggeven referere, gi en reportasje om, kommenterekomentować تبصره کول comentar a comenta комментировать komentovať komentirati komentarisati kommentera ออกความเห็น naklen anlatmak 講評 коментувати تبصرہ کرنا tường thuật 注释,评述
ˈcommentatorOnline Bible Free Bible Commentaries
noun kommentator مُعلّق، مُعقّب коментатор comentador komentátor, reportér der Kommentator kommentator σχολιαστήςcomentarista kommentaator مفسر selostaja commentateur/-trice פרשן भाष्यकार komentator kommentátor; helyszíni közvetítő komentator útskÿrandi; fréttaskÿrandi commentatore, commentatrice; radiocronista; telecronista 解説者 해설자 komentatorius komentators pengulas verslaggeverkommentator, programleder, referent sprawozdawca مبصر (مفسر) هغه څوك چه په ور ځنيوواقعاتو په راډيو يا ورځپاڼو كى تبصره كوى comentador comentator комментатор komentátor, -ka komentator komentator kommentator ผู้แสดงความเห็น spiker; yorumcu 講評員 коментатор تبصرہ کرنے والا bình luận viên 评论员
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
commentary
→ تَعْلِيق komentář kommentarKommentarσχολιασμόςcomentario, crónica selostuscommentaire komentarcommento 実況解説Commentary Sentence
논평commentaarkommentarkomentarzcomentário![Commentary synonym Commentary synonym](/uploads/1/1/7/8/117872782/814400977.png)
Commentary
Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009
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