The Gospel of Matthew
The main idea of the lecture
The lecture discusses the introduction to the Gospel of Matthew in terms of its writer, sources, and characteristics, with clarification of its distinction from the other Gospels, especially in presenting the sayings of Christ, parables, and miracles, in addition to explaining the issue of the multiple names of the apostles.
The writer of the Gospel and its sources
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains that the Gospel of Matthew was written by Matthew the Apostle, who was called Levi and was a tax collector before his calling. He first collected the sayings of Christ in a collection known as the Logia in the Aramaic language, then later used them in writing the Gospel in Greek, also benefiting from the Gospel of Mark as a source.
The uniqueness of the Gospel of Matthew
The Gospel of Matthew is distinguished by containing topics not found in other Gospels, such as the story of the Magi, the flight to Egypt, and the killing of the children of Bethlehem. It is also unique in compiling the Sermon on the Mount in a complete way, reflecting its concern with organizing the teachings of Christ.
Parables and spiritual teaching
The Gospel includes a large number of parables, especially in chapter thirteen, such as the parable of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price. It also contains other unique parables like the wise virgins and the talents, highlighting the depth of spiritual teaching and the call to vigilance and readiness.
Unique miracles
The Gospel mentions some miracles not found in others, such as the healing of the mute blind man, confirming special aspects of Christ’s ministry.
The names of the apostles and their multiplicity
The lecture explains that the difference in the names of the apostles in the Gospels does not mean contradiction, but rather that some apostles had more than one name. Such as Peter who had multiple names, and Judas the brother of James who is also known as Thaddaeus and Lebbaeus.
The spiritual dimension
The lecture teaches us the importance of deep understanding of the Holy Bible and not rushing to judge apparent differences, as deeper study reveals unity of meaning and message. It also calls us to imitate Matthew’s quick response to Christ’s call and to seek organized knowledge of the Word of God.
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