Who wrote the Gospel of Matthew?

The question of who wrote the Gospel of Matthew is a fascinating one and has been the subject of much scholarly debate and theological reflection. Traditionally, the authorship of this Gospel has been attributed to Matthew, also known as Levi, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. This attribution is rooted in early church tradition and is supported by several early Christian writings.

Matthew, also known as Levi, was a tax collector before he was called by Jesus to be one of His disciples. This calling is documented in the Gospel itself: "As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. 'Follow me,' he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him" (Matthew 9:9, NIV). The transformation of Matthew from a tax collector, often despised by his own people, to a devoted follower of Jesus is a powerful testament to the transformative power of Jesus' ministry.

The earliest and most significant external evidence for Matthew's authorship comes from the writings of the early church fathers. Papias of Hierapolis, writing around 125 AD, is one of the earliest sources to attribute the Gospel to Matthew. According to Eusebius, a church historian of the fourth century, Papias wrote: "Matthew compiled the sayings [logia] in the Hebrew language, and everyone interpreted them as he was able" (Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, 3.39.16). This statement suggests that Matthew originally wrote his account in Hebrew or Aramaic, which was later translated into Greek.

Another early church father, Irenaeus, writing in the second century, also affirmed Matthew's authorship. In his work Against Heresies, Irenaeus states: "Matthew also issued a written Gospel among the Hebrews in their own dialect, while Peter and Paul were preaching at Rome and laying the foundations of the Church" (Irenaeus, Against Heresies, 3.1.1). This further corroborates the early tradition that Matthew was the author.

Despite this strong tradition, some modern scholars have questioned the direct authorship of Matthew. They point to the fact that the Gospel of Matthew relies heavily on the Gospel of Mark, which is generally considered to be the earliest of the four Gospels. Approximately 90% of the content of Mark's Gospel is found in Matthew, often verbatim. This reliance raises questions about why an eyewitness like Matthew would need to depend so heavily on another account.

Moreover, the Gospel of Matthew contains sophisticated theological reflections and a high level of Greek language and style, which some argue would be unlikely for a former tax collector whose primary language was Aramaic. These observations have led some scholars to propose that the Gospel was written by an unknown author or a community of believers who were closely associated with the apostle Matthew.

However, these scholarly debates do not necessarily negate the traditional view. It is possible that Matthew, as an eyewitness, provided the core material and teachings of Jesus, which were then compiled, edited, and expanded upon by his followers or a later Christian community. This process would not diminish the authority or authenticity of the Gospel but rather reflect the collaborative nature of early Christian writing and the oral traditions of the time.

The Gospel of Matthew itself provides some clues about its authorship and intended audience. It is the most Jewish of the four Gospels, emphasizing Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the new Moses who brings a new covenant. This focus is evident in the frequent use of Old Testament quotations and the structuring of Jesus' teachings into five major discourses, reminiscent of the five books of Moses (the Pentateuch). This Jewish orientation suggests that the author had a deep understanding of Jewish customs, scriptures, and expectations of the Messiah.

Furthermore, the Gospel of Matthew contains unique material not found in the other Gospels, such as the visit of the Magi (Matthew 2:1-12), the Sermon on the Mount in its extended form (Matthew 5-7), and the parable of the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25:31-46). These distinctive elements indicate that the author had access to unique sources of information, possibly from Matthew himself or his close associates.

In conclusion, while there is some debate among modern scholars about the direct authorship of the Gospel of Matthew, the strong early church tradition and internal evidence point to Matthew, the former tax collector and apostle of Jesus, as the primary source and inspiration for this Gospel. Whether he wrote it directly or his teachings were compiled and edited by his followers, the Gospel of Matthew stands as a powerful testament to the life, teachings, and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. It continues to be a foundational text for Christians around the world, providing a rich and profound account of the Good News of Jesus Christ.