Early Christian Beliefs About the Gospel of Matthew
Early Christians treated Matthew as a true apostolic Gospel, not a late or minor text. Papias, Irenaeus, Origen, and Tertullian connect it with Matthew the apostle and often say it was written first and for Jewish readers. They also quote it as Scripture when teaching about Jesus, the kingdom of heaven, and the end times. A few details, like the exact original language, come through tradition and are less certain than the main claim.
79 early-church witnesses · 156 source quotations · compared with Scripture
What did early Christians believe about the Gospel of Matthew?
Early Christian writers clearly treated Matthew as a real apostolic Gospel and often said it was written first and aimed at Jewish readers. Papias, Irenaeus, Origen, and Tertullian all connect Matthew with the apostolic witness, and several also say it was written in Hebrew or for the Hebrews. The same writers regularly quote Matthew as Scripture and use it to teach about Jesus' birth, call to discipleship, the kingdom of heaven, and the final judgment.
The evidence is broad and steady, though a few details about Matthew's original language and audience are stated as tradition rather than direct proof. Many more early Christian quotations, Bible passages, and source links are gathered below so you can study the evidence for yourself.
Key Takeaways
- Papias, Irenaeus, Origen, and Tertullian all identify Matthew as an apostolic Gospel.
- Several early writers say Matthew was written first and in Hebrew or for Jewish believers.
- Early Christians quoted Matthew as Scripture for teaching about Jesus' life, kingdom, and judgment.
Questions Answered by the Sources
Did the early Christians say Matthew wrote the Gospel of Matthew?
Early writers repeatedly identify Matthew with a written Gospel, and some say it was written first or for Hebrew/Jewish believers. This is the clearest early-Christian claim in the supplied sources.
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Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book III Direct teaching
...le, all of whom have the Gospel of God equally and individually. Matthew also wrote a Gospel in the Hebrew language while Peter and Paul were preaching in Rome and laying the foundations of the Church. After their departure, Mark, the disciple and interpreter of Peter, wrote down what Peter had preached. Luke, the companion of Paul, recorded in a book the Gospel preached by him. Later on, John, the disciple of the Lord, who had leaned upon His chest, published a Gospel during his time in Ephesus in Asia.
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Origen, Commentary on Matthew Direct teaching
Concerning the four Gospels which alone are uncontroverted in the Church of God under heaven, I have learned by tradition that the Gospel according to Matthew, who was at one time a publican and afterwards an Apostle of Jesus Christ, was written first;
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Tertullian, Against Marcion Direct teaching
The same authority of the apostolic churches will afford evidence to the other Gospels also, which we possess equally through their means, and according to their usage — I mean the Gospels of John and Matthew — while that which Mark published may be affirmed to be Peter's whose interpreter Mark was.
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Tertullian, On the Flesh of Christ Direct teaching
There is, first of all, Matthew, that most faithful chronicler of the Gospel, because the companion of the Lord;
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Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book III Supporting witness
...ous that they call their recent work "the Gospel of Truth," although it bears no resemblance to the Apostolic Gospels, making their Gospel full of blasphemy. For if what they've published is the Gospel of Truth, yet completely differs from what the apostles handed down, it's clear, as the Scriptures themselves affirm, that what is handed down from the apostles should no longer be deemed the Gospel of Truth. But these Gospels alone are true and reliable, allowing neither an increase nor decrease in their number, as I have proven through numerous arguments. Since God created everything in proportion and harmony, it was also fitting for the outward appearance of the Gospel to be well-organized and consistent. Therefore, having examined the views of those who passed the Gospel down to us, from their very origins, let us also proceed to consider the remaining apostles and investigate their teachings regarding God; then, in due course, we shall listen to the words of the Lord.
How did early Christians use the Gospel of Matthew as Scripture?
The supplied sources show early Christians citing Matthew directly as authoritative Scripture for Jesus’ teaching and deeds. The Bible cards provide direct Bible passages for the gospel language, and the fathers cite Matthew as a book they read and interpret.
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Origen, Commentary on John Direct teaching
And we will begin with Matthew, who is reported by tradition to have published his Gospel before the others, to the Hebrews, those, namely, of the circumcision who believed.
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Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book III Direct teaching
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.
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Papias, Fragments Direct teaching
but with regard to Matthew he has made the following statements]: Matthew put together the oracles [of the Lord] in the Hebrew language, and each one interpreted them as best he could.
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Origen, Commentary on Matthew Supporting witness
and that he composed it in the Hebrew tongue and published it for the converts from Judaism.
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Irenaeus, Fragments from the Lost Writings of Irenæus Supporting witness
The Gospel according to Matthew was written to the Jews.
Did early Christians think Matthew was written for Jewish readers?
A number of early witnesses say Matthew wrote in Hebrew or for the Hebrews, especially Jewish believers. The evidence is consistent in broad outline, though the exact wording varies across authors.
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Origen, Commentary on Matthew Direct teaching
“Blessed are the peacemakers.” Matthew 5:9 For the person who is a peacemaker in either sense, there is nothing crooked or twisted in the divine oracles, for they are all plain to those who understand, as Proverbs 8:8-9 says. And because there is nothing crooked or twisted for such a person, he therefore sees abundant peace in all the Scriptures, even in those that seem to be in conflict and to contradict one another. He also becomes a peacemaker in a third sense when he shows that what appears to others to be conflict in the Scriptures is no conflict at all, and displays their agreement and peace, whether between the Old Scriptures and the New, or the Law and the Prophets, or the Gospels and the Apostolic Scriptures, or the Apostolic Scriptures with each other. For also, according to the Preacher, all the Scriptures are words of the wise, like goads and like nails firmly fixed, which were given by agreement from one shepherd, Ecclesiastes 12:11, and there is nothing unnecessary in them. But the Word is the one Shepherd of rational beings. To those who do not have ears to hear, these things may seem to disagree, but they are really in perfect harmony. For just as the different stri
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Hippolytus, Exegetical Fragments Direct teaching
And in the Gospel,Matthew 21:31 He said that he who did the will of the Father was the last.
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Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Direct teaching
Further the Gospel Matthew 27:52 says, that many bodies of those that slept arose,— plainly as having been translated to a better state.
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Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Direct teaching
...ction. And this is the meaning of, "Sell what you have, and give to the poor, and come, follow Me," Matthew 19:21. That is, follow what is spoken by the Lord. Some say that by "what you have" He meant the things in the soul that are not akin to it, though they are not able to say how these are given to the poor. For God gives to all according to desert, and His distribution is righteous. Despising, therefore, the possessions which God apportions to you in your magnificence, comply with what is spoken by me. Hasten to the ascent of the Spirit. Be not only justified by abstinence from what is evil, but also perfected by Christlike beneficence. In this case He convicted the man, who boasted that he had fulfilled the commands of the law, of not loving his neighbor. And it is by beneficence that love proclaims itself, that love which, according to the gnostic ascending scale, is lord of the Sabbath. We must then, in my view, have recourse to the word of salvation neither from fear of punishment nor from promise of a gift, but on account of the good itself. Those who do so stand on the right hand of the sanctuary. But those who think that by the gift of what is perishable they will re
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Theophilus of Antioch, To Autolycus Direct teaching
Matthew 5:28 And he that marries, says [the Gospel], her that is divorced from her husband, commits adultery;
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Methodius, Concerning Free Will Direct teaching
And in the Gospel according to Matthew, the Lord said to him who betrayed Him: Do you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?
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Methodius, Fragments Supporting witness
And in the Gospel according to Matthew, the Lord said to him who betrayed Him: Do you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?
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Tatian, The Diatessaron Direct teaching
42 [Arabic, p. 21] Matthew 4:17a And from that time began Jesus to proclaim the gospel of the kingdom 43 of God, and to say, Repent ye, and believe in the gospel.
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Tatian, The Diatessaron Direct teaching
Matthew 20:1 The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. Matthew 20:2 He agreed with the workers to pay each one penny for the day, and he sent them into his vineyard. Matthew 20:3 About the third hour he went out and saw others standing idle in the marketplace. Matthew 20:4 He said to them, "Go also into my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right." Matthew 20:5 So they went. Again he went out about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, and did the same. Matthew 20:6 About the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle. He said to them, "Why have you been standing here idle all day?" Matthew 20:7 They said to him, "Because no one has hired us." He said to them, "Go also into the vineyard, and you will receive whatever is right." Matthew 20:8 When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, "Call the workers and pay them their wages. Begin with the last ones and end with the first." Matthew 20:9 When those who had come at the eleventh hour came, each one received a penny. Matthew 20:10 When the first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a penny.
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Tatian, The Diatessaron Direct teaching
...ons to them. Matthew 25:15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his strength. Then he immediately went on his journey. Matthew 25:16 Then the one who received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more. Matthew 25:17 In the same way, the one who had received the two gained two more. Matthew 25:18 But the one who received the one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord's money. Matthew 25:19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. Matthew 25:20 The one who had received five talents came near and brought five more, and said, "My lord, you gave me five talents. Look, I have gained five more besides them." Matthew 25:21 His lord said to him, "Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your lord." Matthew 25:22 The one who had received the two also came near and said, "My lord, you gave me two talents. Look, I have gained two more besides them." Matthew 25:23 His lord said to him, "Good, you faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the j
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Victorinus, Connection to Matthew 24:14 Direct teaching
For the Lord says, "This Gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world for a testimony to all nations, and then shall come the end."
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Tatian, The Diatessaron Direct teaching
But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all his pure angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. He will gather all the nations before him and separate them from one another, like a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will set the sheep on his right, and the goats on his left. Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. I was hungry, and you gave me food. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you took me in. I was naked, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you visited me. I was in prison, and you cared for me.” Then the righteous will say to him, “Our Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and take you in, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and care for you?” The King will answer and say to them, “Truly I say to you, whatever you did to one of these my brothers, the little ones, you did to me.” Then he will also say to those on his left, “Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his host
More related quotations from this section 1 shown
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Tatian, The Diatessaron Supporting witness
...venty times seven, seven.” And the servant who knows his lord's will and does not get ready for him according to his will shall receive much punishment. But he who does not know, and does something for which he deserves punishment, shall receive slight punishment. Everyone to whom much has been given, much shall be required of him; and he to whom much has been entrusted, much more shall be required at his hand. I came to cast fire upon the earth, and I wish it had already been kindled. And I have a baptism to be baptized with, and I am greatly distressed until it is accomplished. See that you do not despise one of these little ones who believe in me. Truly I say to you, their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. The Son of man came to save what was lost.
Source Index for the Gospel of Matthew
The guided sections above show the strongest quotations. This compact index highlights 156 ranked source links for deeper study.
Source index 156 ranked links shown
Early Christian Writings 79 included
Primary-source quotations from early Christian writers and church documents.
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Ignatius of Antioch, Connection to Matthew 1:18
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Clement of Alexandria, Who Is the Rich Man That Shall Be Saved?
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Unknown, Unknown Work
Bible Passages 77 included
Related Bible passages saved for comparison with the early Christian quotations.
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Book 80 1:33
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