I just bought an Aramaic to English translation New Testament, just so I can read Matthew (after watching so far 5 seasons of THE CHOSEN). It's nice to have more information, like the first written! Wow.
I, too, hold to the stance that Matthew was the first Gospel that was written.
According to Bible teacher Chuck Missler, Matthew, being a tax collector, knew the business shorthand of the day, and so was able to record Jesus’s teachings more thoroughly.
If you haven’t seen Missler’s discussion of the genealogy in Matthew, it’s worth a listen.
I haven’t actually verified Missler’s claims myself, so don’t necessarily take what Chuck Missler says as “gospel truth.” Chuck Missler would tell you the same (and often did).
From Missler, I also first heard the idea that Luke’s Gospel and the Acts were written as court documentation for Paul’s trial before Caesar.
I had never heard of controversy over Matthew, but you make a compelling case--and I like the "big picture" story of the expansion of Christianity that you point out. This pattern is called out here by Paul in a different way:
"There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil, first for the Jew, then for the Greek; but glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does good, first for the Jew, then for the Greek." Romans 2:9-10. BSB.
I enjoy your thorough and thought-provoking posts!
I just bought an Aramaic to English translation New Testament, just so I can read Matthew (after watching so far 5 seasons of THE CHOSEN). It's nice to have more information, like the first written! Wow.
I, too, hold to the stance that Matthew was the first Gospel that was written.
According to Bible teacher Chuck Missler, Matthew, being a tax collector, knew the business shorthand of the day, and so was able to record Jesus’s teachings more thoroughly.
If you haven’t seen Missler’s discussion of the genealogy in Matthew, it’s worth a listen.
I haven’t actually verified Missler’s claims myself, so don’t necessarily take what Chuck Missler says as “gospel truth.” Chuck Missler would tell you the same (and often did).
From Missler, I also first heard the idea that Luke’s Gospel and the Acts were written as court documentation for Paul’s trial before Caesar.
I had never heard of controversy over Matthew, but you make a compelling case--and I like the "big picture" story of the expansion of Christianity that you point out. This pattern is called out here by Paul in a different way:
"There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil, first for the Jew, then for the Greek; but glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does good, first for the Jew, then for the Greek." Romans 2:9-10. BSB.
I enjoy your thorough and thought-provoking posts!
Thank you so much. It’s not the most popular view, and it has little to do with our salvation, but I do love those details. God bless you Brother
This makes complete sense. Fascinating! Thank you!