SAVE - Eyewitness Testimony of Matthew (Gospel of Matthew)(Mainstream Apologetics)

SAVE - Eyewitness Testimony of Matthew (Gospel of Matthew)

Evidence ID: HIS-EV25

Evidence: SAVE - Eyewitness Testimony of Matthew (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 divinity of Jesus.

Description: 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 reliy upon oral tradition determine authorship of the Gospel.

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.

Matthew Papyrus 104

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 old 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 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 witnesses Jesus' teachings and miracles prior to his calling.

The primary purpose of the Matthew's gospel is to prove the Jesus was the Messiah to the Jewish audience as prophecied in the Old Testament (OT). Matthew references nine OT prophecies fulfilled by Jesus [HIS-EV46]. Matthew was a witness of their fulfillment.

Matthew was an eyewitness of the events of Jesus' life and ministry. He had access to Mary, Jesus' mother, for many eyewitness details regarding Jesus' birth and early years. Jesus states in Luke 24:48 that his disciples were eyewitnesses to the events surrounding Jesus' life. In 2 Peter 1:16, Peter states that "we (the disciples) were eyewintesses of his majesty".

Matthew includes in his Gospel many testimonies and accusations regarding the Messiahship of Jesus. These testimonies and accusations reflect the fact that claims of Jesus' Messiahship were public knowledge. While Jesus tried to keep his true identify a secret until later in his ministry, many people testified publicly about his claim to be the Messiah and his power to perform miracles (Mark 7:36-37).

Matthew Reference	Testimony/Accusation	Witness
Matthew 4:3-6	Recognizing Jesus as Son of God	Satan
Matthew 8:29	Ackowledging Jesus as Son of God	Demon
Matthew 14:33	Worshipping Jesus as Son of God	Disciples
Matthew 16:16-20	Confessing Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God	Peter
Matthew 26:63	Questioning Jesus' Public Claim that he is the Christ, the Son of God	Jewish High Preist, Scribes and Elders
Matthew 27:17 Matthew 27:22	Referencing Jesus' Charge of being the Christ, the Messiah	Pontius Pilate
Matthew 27:40	Ridiculing Jesus for Public Claims of being the Christ, the Son of God	People Witnessing Jesus' Crucifixion
Matthew 27:43	Challenging Jesus' Public Claim that he is the Christ, the Son of God	Jewish High Preist, Scribes and Elders
Matthew 27:54	Admitting Jesus is Truly the Son of God	Centurion

In other passages, Matthew refers to Jesus the Christ, the Messiah (Matthew 1:1, Matthew 1:16-18, Matthew 2:4).

The evidence presented regarding the eyewitness testimony of Matthew attests to the trustworthiness of the record concerning Jesus' Messiahship.

Resources:

Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts (REF-NTM01)

Codex Sinaiticus (REF-CXS01)

Codex Vaticanus (REF-CXV01)

Daniel B. Wallace - Paleographer (REF-DBW01)

Date of the Magdalen Papyrus of Matthew (REF-MAG01)

Eusebius of Caesarea (REF-EUS01)

Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, IV: IX, translated by Christian Fredrick Cruse (REF-EUS02)

Fragments of Papias (REF-EUS03)

Gospel of Matthew (REF-GOM01)

Papias of Hierapolis (REF-PAP01)

The Codex Sinaiticus Project (REF-CXS02)

The Writings of Papias - Chapter 39 (REF-EUS04)