Who wrote the books of the Bible and when?

      Gospel of Matthew, a personal account of the life, teachings, miracles, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, was written some time between A.D. 60 and 65 (no later than A.D. 70) by Matthew the tax collector (also known as Levi in Mark 2:14) from Capernaum in Galilee, son of Alphaeus, a disciple of Jesus and one of the twelve apostles. This is the first gospel (proclamation of the good news) of the New Testament (though possibly not the first written), which was Christ crucified for the salvation of the world and the fulfillment of many of the Old Testament prophecies. The Passion of Christ begins with his prayers at Gesthemane and includes his arrest, trials, crucifixion, death, and resurrection. The Gospel of Mathew, along with those of Mark and Luke, comprise the Synoptic Gospels due to the similarity of their material. It was thought to have been originally composed in Aramaic and directed at Jewish converts, then translated into Greek about a decade later.

      The Gospel of Matthew includes accounts of the following events:

  • Genealogy of Jesus from Abraham through Joseph
  • The virgin birth
  • Escape to Egypt and Herod's hunt for the Messiah
  • John the Baptist prepares the way
  • Jesus is baptized and the Spirit descends upon him
  • Temptation of Jesus by Satan
  • The teachings and parables of Jesus
  • The miracles and healings performed by Jesus
  • Encounters with the Pharisees and Saducees
  • Invitations to follow Jesus and do his work
  • Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath
  • Sign of Jonah
  • A prophet without honor
  • John the Baptist beheaded by King Herod
  • Jesus walks on water
  • Feeding of the multitudes with a few loaves of bread and some fish
  • The transfiguration of Jesus before Moses and Elijah
  • Peter's confession of Christ
  • Predictions of Jesus' death
  • The triumphal entry into Jerusalem on a donkey
  • Signs of the end of the age
  • The Lord's Supper
  • Judas betrays Jesus
  • Jesus arrested and tried before the Sanhedrin
  • Peter's denial of Jesus
  • Jesus before the Roman governor Pilate
  • The crucifixion and death of Jesus
  • Curtain of the temple torn and opening of the tombs of the dead
  • Resurrection of Jesus
  • The commission to spread the gospel


        After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters -- one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!" When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them. "Get up," he said. "Don't be afraid." When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. (Matthew 17:1-7)

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