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Evidence ID: BIB-EV72
Evidence: Gospel of Matthew
Summary: Based on biblical scholarship, the Gospel of Matthew is credited to Matthew by Papias of Hierapolis in 110 AD. Matthew was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus, and therefore, was an eyewitness of the ministry of Jesus from 30-33 AD. Matthew presents a trustworthy account of the life and ministry of Jesus.
Description: The Gospel of Matthew is a record of Jesus' life and ministry as seen through the eyes of Matthew.
According to the Apostolic Father Papias of Hierapolis (c. 60-130 AD) [REF-PAP01] and other church Fathers, the gospel was written by the apostle Matthew.
"Matthew therefore composed the oracles in the Hebrew language and each interpreted them as he was able." PAPIAS OF HIERAPOLIS, Writings of Eusebius Pamphilius, Church History 3.39.v16 [REF-EUS04]
The author's name is not contained in the text of the gospel itself. Therefore, we rely on oral tradition determine authorship of the Gospel.
The Gospel of Matthew is considered one of the synoptic gospels. Along with the Gospels of Luke and Mark, they form an overall or synoptic summary of the life of Jesus. Among the three synoptic gospels many of the stories and sequence of events are consistent.
Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples (Matthew 10:2-4, Luke 6:14-16, Acts 1:13). Matthew, or Levi as he is referred to in the other gospels, was called by Jesus while he was collecting taxes (Matthew 9:9). The account states that Matthew "got up" and followed Jesus. It is likely that Matthew had witnessed Jesus' teachings and miracles prior to his calling.
The Gospel of Matthew was probably written sometime between 55-80 AD. Because of the similarities among the synoptic gospels, many believe that the Gospel of Matthew was influenced by the Gospel of Mark which was estimated to be written between 50-70 AD. If this were the case, the Gospel of Matthew would have been written between 60-80 AD. If the Gospel of Matthew was written independently of the Gospel of Mark, then it could have been written as early as 55-60 AD. In either case, the Gospel of Matthew was written between 22-47 years after the events occurred. This is within the lifetime of many Jews who would have also witnessed the same events.
The Gospel of Matthew, as with other Gospel authors, was composed of Jesus' sayings and accounts collected by the author for many years prior to the original manuscripts. The original autograph of the Gospel of Matthew has not been discovered. The earliest copied fragments of the Gospel of Matthew, Papyrus 104 and 64, date from as early as late 2nd or early 3rd century. Papyrus 64, known as the Magdalen Papyrus, is one of the oldest fragments of Matthew [REF-MAG01].
The earliest complete manuscripts of the Gospel date from the 4th century. These complete manuscripts are known as Codex Vaticanus [REF-CXV01] and Codex Sinaiticus [REF-CXS01] [REF-CXS02].
The evidence presented regarding the eyewitness testimony of Matthew attests to the trustworthiness of the record concerning Jesus' life and ministry.
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