What is the Book of “Matthew”?
The book known as the “Gospel of Matthew” is a work of a non-Jewish author. There is little argument among Christian scholars that the work was initially one of unknown authorship. Given the point of view of the writer, and given that no one else came forward to claim authorship, the name “Matthew” was attached to this work. The actual “Matthew” in the story Matthew was supposedly a tax collector, and was known as Levi, and one of the 12 disciples. The actual “Matthew” who wrote this was probably not named Matthew. This work, as well as “Luke” was published at about the same time. There is some argument as to whether it appeared at 80 C.E. or 100 C.E., but it is generally accepted that after some editing and rewrites, that the final version was released in 150 C.E., with such things as the “virgin birth” added on to the final version. What is interesting is that Luke does not mention Matthew, and Matthew does not mention Luke. It is as though neither “author” was aware of the other, ev
