Was Matthew Greek? This question has intrigued scholars and historians for centuries. The identity of Matthew, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ, has been a subject of debate, with some suggesting that he might have been of Greek origin. This article delves into the evidence and theories surrounding this intriguing topic.
The New Testament, the primary source of information about the apostles, does not explicitly mention the ethnic background of Matthew. However, some scholars have proposed that his Greek name, Levi, might indicate a Greek heritage. The Gospel of Matthew, traditionally attributed to him, contains numerous references to Greek-speaking Jews and Hellenistic culture, which has led to the theory that Matthew was indeed Greek.
One of the strongest pieces of evidence supporting the theory that Matthew was Greek is the fact that he was a tax collector before becoming a follower of Jesus. Tax collectors during the time of Jesus were often associated with the Greek-speaking population, as they were employed by the Roman government, which was predominantly Greek-speaking. This suggests that Matthew might have been a Greek-speaking Jew himself.
Furthermore, the Gospel of Matthew is written in a style that is considered to be more polished and sophisticated than the other Synoptic Gospels (Mark and Luke). Some scholars argue that this indicates that Matthew was well-educated and familiar with Greek literature, which is consistent with the idea that he was Greek.
However, not all scholars agree with the theory that Matthew was Greek. Some argue that the evidence is circumstantial and that it is impossible to definitively determine his ethnic background based on the available information. They point out that the New Testament does not provide any explicit mention of his ethnicity, and that the assumption that he was Greek is based on speculative interpretations of the text.
Another point of contention is the fact that the Gospel of Matthew was written in Aramaic, the language spoken by Jesus and his disciples, before being translated into Greek. This has led some scholars to believe that Matthew was an Aramaic-speaking Jew who later became fluent in Greek.
In conclusion, while the theory that Matthew was Greek is intriguing and has some compelling evidence to support it, it remains a topic of debate among scholars. The New Testament does not provide a clear answer to the question of his ethnic background, leaving room for speculation and interpretation. Whether or not Matthew was Greek, his role as an apostle and the author of the Gospel of Matthew has had a profound impact on Christianity and the understanding of Jesus’ teachings.
