Matthew

Matthew is one of four books called "Gospels" ("Good News") in the New Testament. The others are Mark, Luke and John. Matthew, Mark and Luke are called "Synoptic Gospels" because they include much of the same material. John is the most theological of the four. According to R. Kent Hughes, "It is rightly said that each of the Gospels presents Christ with a distinctive emphasis. Matthew emphasizes his kingship, Mark his servanthood, Luke his manhood, and John his Godhood. Certainly all...
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Matthew is one of four books called "Gospels" ("Good News") in the New Testament. The others are Mark, Luke and John. Matthew, Mark and Luke are called "Synoptic Gospels" because they include much of the same material. John is the most theological of the four. According to R. Kent Hughes, "It is rightly said that each of the Gospels presents Christ with a distinctive emphasis. Matthew emphasizes his kingship, Mark his servanthood, Luke his manhood, and John his Godhood. Certainly all the Gospels present all four truths, but their separate emphases have allowed them unique functions in telling the story of Christ" (Hughes, That You May Believe, Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway, 1999, page 15). The Gospel has been known as the Gospel of Matthew from the beginning of its writing. Therefore, it is generally accepted that the author is the converted tax collector, Levi, one of Jesus' original 12 disciples (Matthew 9:9). He was one of those who accompanied Him "all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out... beginning with the baptism of John until the day that He was taken up..." (Acts 1:21-22). He was, therefore, an eyewitness of much of what he recorded! Like Simon (Peter) and Saul (Paul), Levi's name was changed --- to Matthew. It means "Gift of Yahweh [God]".