BBC

Authorship

The attributes concerning the authorship of this narrative "are generally based on church tradition." Tradition has nothing to do with the narrative's biblical evidence. Tradition claims that it was "written in Hebrew. [BBC] This is false. This causes "tradition" to be less reliable. The authorship is hotly debated by biblical scholars.  This does not mean that can be speculative. 

This is also under debate. Robert Gundry gives a date before 70 A.D. He believes that Matthew is the human author. The conservative scholars give a date of 80 A.D., and they agree with Gundry about the author. Matthew addressed the rise of power in the Pharisees' rabbis. He discusses this more than Mark does. He speaks of the power of the Sadducees and the priesthood. "These rabbis began to achieve some political power in Syria-Palestine mainly after 70." [Ibid.] Reasons to surmise places the authorship to be somewhere in the seventies. It is still uncertain. This would cause problems when viewing this work against its cultural background.

Where it was Written

The location was in the locale of Syria-Palestine. The greatest influence of the rabbis existed in this area. Christian and Jewish believers were conflicting with the Pharisees. Compare Matthew 3:7 with Luke 3:7; Mathew 5:20; Matthew 23:2-39.

Genre and Sources

Mark's gospel may have in circulation at the time of this writing. The consensus is in agreement with this fact. Matthew's gospel follows "the standard literary practice of the day." [Ibid.] He followed the format of Mark. He blended other facts--especially any eyewitnesses.

Biographies

Writers could write their biographies in one of two ways: chronological order--Luke, topical order. Matthew uses topical order. Note the following list.

1. the kingdom Matthew 5-7
2. the mission Matthew 10
3. the presence of the kingdom Matthew 13
4. church discipline and forgiveness Matthew 18
5. the future of the kingdom Matthew 23-25

Reference Sources

Keener, Craig S. The IVP Bible Background Commentary – New Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.

Other key source is:

Holy Bible: King James Version WORDsearch CROSS e-book.

Holy Bible, New American Standard La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.