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Historical Attribution of Matthew’s Gospel

The Gospel according to Matthew has traditionally been attributed to Matthew the apostle, a tax collector who became one of Jesus Christ’s twelve disciples. This attribution stems from the early Christian community and is supported by the writings of church fathers such as Papias of Hierapolis, who around 125 C.E., claimed that “Matthew compiled the sayings [of Jesus] in the Hebrew language, and everyone interpreted them as best they could.” While the Gospel itself does not explicitly name its author, the unanimous testimony of the early church supports the belief that Matthew, the apostle, was indeed the writer.

Textual Evidence and Manuscript Titles

The titles of the Gospel manuscripts vary, but they consistently attribute the work to Matthew. In some ancient manuscripts, the title appears as “Euangelion Kata Matthaion” (Good News According to Matthew) and in others simply as “Kata Matthaion” (According to Matthew). These titles, while not part of the original manuscript text as penned by the author, were likely added early in the Gospel’s transmission to differentiate it from other accounts. The use of “Euangelion” (gospel or good news) in connection with Matthew’s account likely stems from the opening verse of Mark’s Gospel, which describes the narrative as “the beginning of the good news about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” This term came to be applied to all four accounts of the life of Jesus Christ, emphasizing their nature as good news.

The Purpose and Introduction of Titles

The inclusion of such titles was practical, serving to identify the texts within the growing body of Christian literature. By the late second century C.E., as Christian writings began to be collected and more widely circulated, distinguishing between different accounts became necessary. This need for clear identification likely prompted the early Christian community or the scribes copying the texts to add titles that specified the traditional author. The evidence of these titles in manuscripts from the end of the second century and early third century suggests that by this time, there was a well-established tradition linking these texts to their respective namesakes.

Scriptural and Doctrinal Implications

The recognition of Matthew as the author has doctrinal implications, particularly regarding the authority and authenticity of the Gospel. As a direct disciple of Jesus, Matthew’s account is considered an eyewitness testimony to the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. His perspective as a Jewish tax collector turned disciple provides unique insights into Jesus’ teachings and fulfills Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah, which Matthew frequently cites to establish Jesus’ messianic credentials.

For instance, Matthew references prophecies such as Isaiah 7:14 in Matthew 1:23, where he explains the virgin birth of Jesus, asserting, “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). Such references not only reinforce the prophetic fulfillment found in Jesus’ life but also connect the Gospel message to a Jewish audience familiar with these scriptures.

Conclusion

In summary, while the Gospel of Matthew does not internally claim its authorship, the historical traditions and titles associated with the manuscript support the attribution to Matthew the apostle. These titles, which became a common feature in gospel manuscripts by the late second century, help preserve the apostolic origin of these writings, ensuring their authoritative status within the Christian canon. The Gospel of Matthew, therefore, stands as a pivotal testament to the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, presenting Him as the promised Messiah and emphasizing His fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).