Matthew Tis book is a verse-by-verse analysis of the New Testament Gospel of Matthew. It provides a comprehensive introduction to the gospel, which describes the world of Jesus and his frst followers. Tis commentary explores the historical, social, and religious contexts of Matthew and examines the customs, beliefs, and ideas that inform the text. Unfamiliar to many readers of the New Testament, this background will help readers fully understand the text of Matthew, which focuses on what Jesus taught and why the religious authorities in Jerusalem rejected his message and gave him up to the Roman governor for execution. Tis book will be an important tool for clergy, scholars, and other interested readers of Matthew. Craig A. Evans is Payzant Distinguished Professor of New Testament at Acadia Divinity College in Nova Scotia. He is the author of several books about Jesus and the New Testament, including Ancient Texts for New Testament Studies (2005) and Jesus, the Final Days (2009). New Cambridge Bible Commentary general editor: Ben Witherington III hebrew bible/old testament editor: Bill T. Arnold editorial board Bill T. Arnold, Asbury Teological Seminary James D. G. Dunn, University of Durham Michael V. Fox, University of Wisconsin-Madison Robert P. Gordon, University of Cambridge Judith Gundry-Wolf, Yale University Ben Witherington III, Asbury Teological Seminary Te New Cambridge Bible Commentary (NCBC) aims to elucidate the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures for a wide range of intellectually curious individuals. While building on the work and reputation of the Cambridge Bible Commentary popular in the 1960s and 1970s, the NCBC takes advantage of many of the rewards pro- vided by scholarly research over the last four decades. Volumes utilize recent gains in rhetorical criticism, social scientifc study of the Scriptures, narrative criticism, and other developing disciplines to exploit the growing advances in biblical studies. Accessible jargon-free commentary, an annotated “Suggested Readings” list, and the entire New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) text under discussion are the hallmarks of all volumes in the series. published volumes in the series Genesis, Bill T. Arnold Exodus, Carol Meyers Judges and Ruth, Victor H. Matthews 1–2 Corinthians, Craig S. Keener Te Gospel of John, Jerome H. Neyrey James and Jude, William F. Brosend II Revelation, Ben Witherington III forthcoming volumes Deuteronomy, Brent Strawn Joshua, Douglas A. Knight 1–2 Chronicles, William M. Schniedewind Psalms 1–72, Walter Brueggemann and William H. Bellinger, Jr. Psalms 73–150, Walter Brueggemann and William H. Bellinger, Jr. Isaiah 1–39, David Baer Jeremiah, Baruch Halpern Hosea, Joel, and Amos, J. J. M. Roberts Te Gospel of Luke, Amy-Jill Levine and Ben Witherington III Te Letters of John, Duane F. Watson Matthew R Craig A. Evans Acadia Divinity College, Acadia University cambridge university press Cambridge, New York, Melbourne, Madrid, Cape Town, Singapore, São Paulo, Delhi, Mexico City Cambridge University Press 32 Avenue of the Americas, New York, ny 10013-2473, usa www.cambridge.org Information on this title: www.cambridge.org/9780521011068 © Craig A. Evans 2012 Tis publication is in copyright. Subject to statutory exception and to the provisions of relevant collective licensing agreements, no reproduction of any part may take place without the written permission of Cambridge University Press. First published 2012 Printed in the United States of America A catalog record for this publication is available from the British Library. Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Evans, Craig A. Matthew / Craig A. Evans. p. cm. – (New Cambridge Bible commentary) Includes bibliographical references and index. isbn 978-0-521-81214-6 (hardback) – isbn 978-0-521-01106-8 (paperback) 1. Bible. N.T. Matthew – Commentaries. I. Title. bs2575.53.e93 2011 226.2′077–dc2 2011018888 isbn 978-0-521-81214-6 Hardback isbn 978-0-521-01106-8 Paperback Cambridge University Press has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of urls for external or third-party Internet Web sites referred to in this publication and does not guarantee that any content on such Web sites is, or will remain, accurate or appropriate. Contents R Supplementary Sections page xiii Preface xv A Word about Citations xvii Abbreviations xix I. INTRODUCTION 1 Origins of the Gospel of Matthew 1 Matthew and the Other Gospels 7 Te Structure of Matthew 8 Outline of Matthew 10 Te Greek Text of Matthew 13 II. SUGGESTED READINGS ON THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW 15 Commentaries 15 Monographs and Collected Studies 18 Selected Shorter Studies 26 III. COMMENTARY 31 Matthew 1:1–17 – Te Genealogy of the Messiah 31 Matthew 1:18–25 – Te Birth of Jesus Messiah 39 Matthew 2:1–12 – Te Wise Men 48 Matthew 2:13–23 – To Egypt and Back 56 Matthew 3:1–12 – Te Ministry of John the Baptist 66 Matthew 3:13–17 – Te Baptism of Jesus 75 Matthew 4:1–11 – Te Temptation of Jesus in the Wilderness 79 Matthew 4:12–17 – Proclamation in Galilee 88 Matthew 4:18–22 – Te Call of the First Disciples 91 vii viii Contents Matthew 4:23–25 – Te Beginnings of Ministr y 93 Matthew 5:1–2 – Te Setting of the Sermon on the Mou nt 96 Matthew 5:3–12 – Te Beatitudes 99 Matthew 5:13–16 – Salt and Ligh t 110 Matthew 5:17–20 – Fulfllment and Righteousnes s 112 Matthew 5:21–26 – Example One: Murde r 120 Matthew 5:27–32 – Example Two: Adultery and Divorc e 123 Matthew 5:33–37 – Example Tree: Honest Speec h 126 Matthew 5:38–42 – Example Four: On Retaliatio n 130 Matthew 5:43–48 – Example Five: Love of Enemies 132 Matthew 6:1–4 – Almsgiving 137 Matthew 6:5–15 – Prayer 141 Matthew 6:16–18 – Fasting 149 Matthew 6:19–24 – Laying up Treasure in Heaven 152 Matthew 6:25–34 – Anxiety 157 Matthew 7:1–5 – Judging 161 Matthew 7:6–12 – Te Need for Discernment 164 Matthew 7:13–14 – Te Two Gates 170 Matthew 7:15–20 – Known by One’s Fruit 173 Matthew 7:21–23 – False Disciples 177 Matthew 7:24–27 – Parable of the Builders 179 Matthew 7:28–29 – Astounding Authority 182 Matthew 8:1–4 – Healing a Leper 183 Matthew 8:5–13 – Healing the Centurion’s Son 185 Matthew 8:14–17 – Te Healing of Peter’s Mother-in-Law 190 Matthew 8:18–22 – Following Jesus 192 Matthew 8:23–27 – Stilling the Storm 194 Matthew 8:28–34 – Healing the Gadarene Men 196 Matthew 9:1–8 – Healing the Paralyzed Man 199 Matthew 9:9–13 – Te Call of Matthew and Eating with Sinners 201 Matthew 9:14–17 – New and Old 203 Matthew 9:18–26 – Restoring a Daughter and a Woman 205 Matthew 9:27–31 – Healing of Two Blind Men 208 Matthew 9:32–34 – Healing of a Mute Demoniac 210 Matthew 9:35–38 – Laborers for the Harvest 211 Matthew 10:1–4 – Authorizing the Twelve 213 Matthew 10:5–15 – Mission Instructions 217 Matthew 10:16–23 – Coming Persecution 221 Matthew 10:24–25 – Like Teacher, Like Disciple 224 Matthew 10:26–31 – Do Not Fear 225 Matthew 10:32–33 – Confessing or Denying 227