Sivut kuvina
PDF
ePub

THE

FAMILY COMMENTARY

ON THE

GOSPELS OF MATTHEW AND MARK.

SELECTED FROM

THE WORKS OF VARIOUS EXPOSITORS.

EDINBURGH:

JOHN JOHNSTONE, HUNTER SQUARE.

J. NISBET & CO., AND R. GROOMBRIDGE, LONDON. W. CURRY, JUN., & CO., DUBLIN ;

AND W. M'COMB, BELFAST.

MDCCCXLIII.

R5

PREFACE

ΤΟ

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW.

THE word Gospel means good news, or a joyful message. It commonly signifies the message itself. But it is here used to denote the book containing the record of the message. The title "Saint," given to the sacred writers of the New Testament, is of Romish origin, and is of no authority.

It is now conceded pretty generally that Matthew wrote his Gospel in his native tongue; that is, the language of Palestine. That language was not pure Hebrew, but a mixture of the Hebrew, Chaldaic, and Syriac, commonly called Syro-Chaldaic, or Aramean. This language our Saviour undoubtedly used in his conversation; and his disciples would naturally use this language also, unless there were good reasons why they should write in a foreign tongue. It is agreed that the remainder of the New Testament was written in Greek. The reason for this, in preference to the native language of the writers, was, that Greek was the language then generally spoken and understood throughout the eastern countries conquered by Alexander the Great, and particularly in Judea, and in the regions where the apostles first laboured.

The Christian Fathers, without any exception, assert that Matthew wrote his Gospel for the use of the Christians in Palestine; and say that it was written in the Hebrew dialect. It should be remarked, however, that many modern critics of much eminence do not suppose the evidence that Matthew wrote in Hebrew to be decisive; and believe that there is sufficient proof that, like the other writers of the New Testament, Matthew wrote in Greek. See Lardner's works, vol. v., p. 308-318, London edition, 1823.

The Gospel of Matthew exists now, however, only in Greek. The original Hebrew, or SyroChaldaic, if it was written in that language, has been designedly laid aside, or undesignedly lost. The question, then, naturally arises, Who is the author of the Greek translation which we possess; and is it to be regarded as of divine authority?

It has been conjectured by some that Matthew himself furnished a Greek translation of the Hebrew. This conjecture, in itself probable enough, wants human testimony to support it. Athanasius, one of the early Fathers, says that it was translated by "James, the brother of our Lord according to the flesh." Papias, another of the early Fathers, says, that "each one translated it as he was able." If James translated it, there can be no question about its inspiration and canonical authority. Nor does it affect the question of its inspiration, even if we are ignorant of the name of the translator. The proper inquiry is, whether it had such evidence of inspiration as to be satisfactory to the Church in the times when they were under the direction of the apostles. That it had such evidence, none acquainted with ancient history will doubt.

Epiphanius says that the Gospel by Matthew was written while Peter and Paul were preaching at Rome. This was about the year of our Lord 63, about the time of the destruction of Jerusalem. It is now generally supposed, that this Gospel was written about this time. There is very clear evidence in the Gospel that it was written before the destruction of Jerusalem. The destruction of the Holy City is clearly and minutely told; but there is not the slightest intimation in it that

a

The University of lowa

LIBRARIES

« EdellinenJatka »