Who is the true author of Matthew’s Gospel? This question has intrigued scholars, theologians, and readers for centuries. The Gospel of Matthew, one of the four canonical Gospels in the New Testament, is attributed to the apostle Matthew, a close disciple of Jesus Christ. However, the true authorship of this sacred text remains a subject of debate and speculation. This article aims to explore the various theories and evidence surrounding the true authorship of Matthew’s Gospel.
The traditional view holds that the apostle Matthew, a tax collector who became a follower of Jesus, wrote the Gospel. This belief is based on early Christian writings, such as the letters of St. Paul and the writings of the early church fathers. According to this perspective, Matthew’s Gospel was written in Aramaic, Jesus’ native language, and later translated into Greek by the apostle himself or by his disciples.
However, some scholars argue that the Gospel of Matthew was actually written by someone other than the apostle Matthew. One of the most prominent theories is the “Matthaean Community” hypothesis, which suggests that the Gospel was written by a group of early Christians who were followers of Matthew. This group, known as the “Matthaeans,” would have collected and compiled the teachings and miracles of Jesus, which were later attributed to the apostle.
Another theory is the “Q” source hypothesis, which posits that the Gospel of Matthew was based on a previously unknown document called “Q” (from the German word “Quelle,” meaning “source”). According to this theory, the author of the Gospel of Matthew used both the “Q” source and the Gospel of Mark to compose his own narrative. This would imply that the author of Matthew’s Gospel was not the apostle Matthew but rather a different individual who had access to these sources.
Further complicating the issue is the “Papias” theory, which suggests that the Gospel of Matthew was written by the apostle John, not Matthew. This theory is based on a passage from the early church father Papias, who claimed that John, the apostle, wrote the Gospel of Matthew. However, this claim is controversial, as it is based on a single, potentially biased source.
In conclusion, the true author of Matthew’s Gospel remains a matter of debate. While the traditional view attributes the Gospel to the apostle Matthew, other theories propose that the Gospel was written by a group of early Christians, a different individual, or even the apostle John. As scholars continue to analyze the text and its historical context, the true authorship of Matthew’s Gospel may never be definitively determined. Nonetheless, the enduring significance of this sacred text lies in its profound teachings and its impact on the lives of millions of believers worldwide.
