Matthew

Book Written:  Generally considered to be written late in the first century so 80 A.D.-90 A.D., but Baker suggests that there's evidence for an earlier date of composition, 40s A.D., and so the first gospel.  The author is usually considered to be the apostle, Matthew or Levi, a tax collector, but HC offers that this gospel was most likely written in Antioch, Syria by a "an unknown Greek-speaking Jewish Christian"  and simply named after one of the apostles to give the work greater credence.   There also seems to be a discrepancy about the original language of the gospel.  Baker says that the gospel first existed in Aramaic and was translated into "Koine Greek" whereas HC asserts that the gospel was originally written in Greek.

Time Period/Setting:   Post 70s A.D., after the fall of the temple in Jerusalem.  The author is writing for a Jewish audience

Title:  Named after the apostle Matthew.  See above.

There are five discourses in the book of Matthew along with 41 Old Testament quotations.  The five discourses can be found in Ch. 5 (the Beatitudes), Ch. 10 (Missionary Discourse), Ch. 13(parables), Ch. 18 (community, Church)  and Ch. 24 (the Second Coming).  Matthew's account of Jesus presumes a knowledge of the OT, hence the quotations.  He presents Jesus as a compassionate, dignified teacher, the Messiah, the fulfillment of the Law.  The Gospel of Matthew begins with the genealogy of Jesus.