The Bible and its authors
Matthew's Audience
PrintQuestion
To whom was the gospel of Matthew written?
Our Answer
Although the gospel of Matthew does not specifically identify its audience, most authorities believe Matthew is a gospel written by a Jew, to Jews, about a Jew. Matthew is the writer, his countrymen the readers, and Jesus Christ the subject. Early church authorities support this conclusion. Irenaeus (AD 112-200), Bishop of Lyons and a student of Polycarp, wrote, “Matthew issued a written gospel among the Hebrews” and “The gospel of Saint Matthew was written for the Jews.” Origen (AD 186-253), a leading theologian who is regarded by many as the “Father of Biblical Criticism,” wrote that “Saint Matthew wrote for the Hebrews.” The great church historian Eusebius (AD 260-340) wrote that “Matthew… delivered his gospel to his countrymen.”
The complexion and content of this gospel abundantly confirm the conclusion of these early church leaders. Through a carefully selected use of terminology, as well as a series of Old Testament prophecies and quotations that would bear the greatest significance to a Jewish reader, Matthew thoroughly documents Jesus’ claim to be the Messiah. His genealogy, message, and miracles all point to the same inescapable conclusion: Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ.
