Matthew Through the Centuries

The reception of the Gospel of Matthew over two millennia: commentary and interpretation

Matthew Through the Centuries offers an overview of the reception history of one of the most prominent gospels in Christian worship. Examining the reception of Matthew from the perspectives of a wide range of interpreters—from Origen and Hilary of Poitiers to Mary Cornwallis and Bob Marley—this insightful commentary explains the major trends in the reception of Matthew in various ecclesial, historical, and cultural contexts. Focusing on characteristically Matthean features, detailed chapter-by-chapter commentary highlights diverse receptions and interpretations of the gospel. Broad exploration of areas such as liturgy, literature, drama, film, hymnody, political discourse, and visual art illustrates the enormous impact Matthew continues to have on Judeo-Christian civilization.

Known as ‘the Church’s Gospel,’ Matthew’s text has been the subject of apologetic and theological controversy for hundreds of years. It has been seen as justification for political and ecclesial status quo and as a path to radical discipleship. Matthew has influenced divergent political, spiritual, and cultural figures such as Francis of Assisi, John Ruskin, Leo Tolstoy, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and Mahatma Gandhi. Matthew’s interest in ecclesiology provides early structures of ecclesial life, such as resolution of community disputes, communal prayer, and liturgical prescriptions for the Eucharist and baptism.

A significant addition to the acclaimed Blackwell Bible Commentariesseries, Matthew Through the Centuries is an indispensable resource for both students and experts in areas including religious and biblical studies, literature, history, politics, and those interested in the influence of the Bible on Western culture.

Keywords:

Gospel of Matthew; Gospel of Matthew reception; Gospel of Matthew commentary; Gospel of Matthew history; Gospel of Matthew interpretation; Gospel of Matthew influence; Gospel of Matthew in art; Gospel of Matthew ecclesiology, Gospel of Matthew apology; Gospel of Matthew context Matthew; Gospel of Matthew overview; Book of Matthew; Book of Matthew commentary; Book of Matthew reception; Book of Matthew history; Book of Matthew interpretation; Book of Matthew influence; Book of Matthew ecclesiology; Book of Matthew apology; Book of Matthew context; Book of Matthew art; Bible commentary; Sermon on the Mount; Sermon on the Mount Matthew; Matthew Through the Centuries; Ian Boxall