It is claimed the original Gospel of Matthew was written in Hebrew, not Greek.
Today, Bible Scholars can offer evidences, both linguistic and historical, for Shem Tob's Matthew coming from an earlier Hebrew text, which was later translated into Greek.Matthew, Greek or Hebrew. Which came first?
Papias, an early Christian author in 100 AD stated: "Matthew wrote the words in the Hebrew dialect, and each one interpreted as he could" in Eusebius Ecclesiastical History 3.39.
The Wycliffe Bible Commentary: Matthew, Pfeiffer, C.F
The Wycliffe Bible Commentary: Matthew, Pfeiffer, C.F
It is believed by a formidable number of critics that Matthew was originally written in what is loosely called Hebrew, but more correctly Aramaic, or Syro-Chaldaic, the native tongue of the country at the time of our Lord; and that the Greek Matthew we now possess is a translation of that work, either by the Evangelist himself or some unknown hand.
The evidence on which this opinion is grounded has been deemed conclusive by Grotius, Michaelis, Michaelis translator, Marsh, Townson, Campbell, Olshausen, Creswell, Meyer, Ebrard, Lange, Davidson, Cureton, Tregelles, Webster and Wilkinson.
A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, Matthew, Jamieson, Fausset, Brown
The evidence on which this opinion is grounded has been deemed conclusive by Grotius, Michaelis, Michaelis translator, Marsh, Townson, Campbell, Olshausen, Creswell, Meyer, Ebrard, Lange, Davidson, Cureton, Tregelles, Webster and Wilkinson.
A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, Matthew, Jamieson, Fausset, Brown
Five individuals stated, in effect, that Matthew wrote in Aramaic and that translations followed in Greek: Papias (80-155 AD), Irenaeus (130-202 AD), Origen (185-254 AD), Eusebius (4th century AD) and Jerome (6th century AD)
The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Walvoord, J.F
The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Walvoord, J.F
Early Christian tradition held the view that Matthew was originally written in Hebrew or Aramaic, not in Greek
New Bible Commentary, Matthew, Carson, D.A
New Bible Commentary, Matthew, Carson, D.A
All of the ancient writers, whose extant writings allude to the question, represent Matthew as having written a narrative in Hebrew; but not one of them claims to have seen it except Jerome, and he subsequently expresses doubt as to whether the book which he saw under this name was the genuine Matthew.
Matthew, J.W McGarvey, p8
Matthew, J.W McGarvey, p8
We next hear of Irenaeus in the second half of the first century, who writes that Matthew issued "a gospel" in Hebrew at the time when Peter and Paul were preaching and founding the church in Rome (about 64-65 AD).
R.C.H Lenski, Gospel of Matthew, p 11-19
R.C.H Lenski, Gospel of Matthew, p 11-19
Pantaenus (180 AD) claims to have seen a Hebrew Gospel by Matthew in southern Arabia, which was brought there by Bartholomew.
R.C.H Lenski, Gospel of Matthew, p 11-19
R.C.H Lenski, Gospel of Matthew, p 11-19
Origen (185 AD) stated that Matthew was the first to write and that he composed and issued a Gospel in Hebrew for the Jewish believers.
R.C.H Lenski, Gospel of Matthew, p 11-19
R.C.H Lenski, Gospel of Matthew, p 11-19
Matthew: Comparing Greek with Hebrew
| King James KJV (Greek) |
Shem Tob (Hebrew) |
| 75-100 AD | 64-67 AD* |
| And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.
[MATTHEW 28:9] |
As they were going Jesus passed before them saying: May the Name deliver you. They came near to him, bowed down to him and worshipped him |
| Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.
[MATTHEW 28:10] |
Then Jesus said to them: Do not be afraid; tell my brothers that they should go to Galilee and there they will see me |
| Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.
[MATTHEW 28:11] |
While they were going, some of the guards entered the city and declared to the chief priests all that had happened |
| And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,
[MATTHEW 28:12] |
They came together for counsel with the elders of the people. Then they gave much money to the horsemen |
| Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.
[MATTHEW 28:13] |
and said to them: Say that his disciples came by night and stole him while you were sleeping |
| And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.
[MATTHEW 28:14] |
If this should come to the ears of Pilate we will tell him that he should leave you alone. |
| So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
[MATTHEW 28:15] |
They took the money and said thus as they instructed them. This is the word [held] in secret among the Jews unto this day. |
| Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
[MATTHEW 28:16] |
After this when his twelve disciples came to Galilee he appeared to them in the mountain where they had prayed. |
| And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.
[MATTHEW 28:17] |
When they saw him they worshipped him, but there were some of them who doubted him |
| And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
[MATTHEW 28:18] |
Jesus drew near to them and said to them: To me has been given all power in heaven and earth |
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
[MATTHEW 28:19] The doctrine of the Christian Trinity is found here |
Go
The doctrine of the Christian Trinity is missing in the Shem Tob (Hebrew) Bible
|
| Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
[MATTHEW 28:20] |
and (teach) them to carry out all the things which I have commanded you forever |
| Evidence | |
| King James Version Bible | Hebrew Gospel of Matthew by George Howard (Translation 1995) Click to Enlarge |
CREDIT
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbinical_translations_of_Matthew
http://jesus-messiah.com/apologetics/catholic/matthew-proof.html
http://toolong.com/the-hebrew-version-of-matthew-shem-tob-matthew-shem-tov/
http://www.bible.ca/jw-YHWH-hebrew-matthew.htm
| Author: Guest • Updated: 15 Aug 2026 |
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