Patrick Schreiner - Matthew, Disciple and Scribe: The First Gospel and Its Portrait of Jesus

Expectations are key. Though the title of this book might compel you to think this is a work on authorship or even Matthean priority, that is not the case. The pages before you focus more on the theology and narrative of Matthew. Though I do think it was Matthewthe disciple and scribewho wrote the First Gospel, my argument does not depend on Matthean authorship, nor will I spend time arguing for Matthean authorship. My aims are broader than this.

Two brief notes should be made before I begin. First, the work before you is more constructive than deconstructive. Though it undoubtedly has elements that work against certain tendencies, the aim of this work is not to take a theory and overturn it. Rather, I present one way to view Matthews narrative. This means I dont begin by identifying a problem nor developing tension and then spend the rest of the work trying to solve it. Rather, I put forward my argument, hoping that it will bring some light to Matthews narrative.

Second, though I do support my assertions with footnotes, I have tried to limit repeated references and not to log what each commentator says about each passage. Therefore, some statements stand without a reference at all, even when I make statements like many commentators or most scholars. I realize that this is an academic faux paux , but it has helped keep it at a manageable length. In addition, the initial plan was to be more introductory, but it quickly took an academic turn, and therefore the book at times straddles both worlds. I realize that this could be a stumbling block for readers, so I hope you are the type who reads the preface.

This book was birthed out of a love for the Gospels and an affinity for Matthew more specificallya love that has continued from the days of my seminary course work and doctoral thesis. In many ways, the book does not feel complete, because I discover something new each time I read and study the Gospel. I recognize that the editing, organizing, and clarifying of this work could continue ad infinitum. In many ways, no book is ever done; it is simply due.

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Many helped me improve this work. Jonathan Pennington read an early and later version and provided both structural and more detailed comments. My father, Thomas Schreiner, also read many chapters as I finished them and enhanced the project on many levels. My colleagues Josh Mathews and Todd Miles also read parts of the book and pointed out areas that could be strengthened. Nathan Ridlehoover read sections and pointed me to other parts of Matthew that aligned with my argument. Peter Gurry helped me on the chapter concerning scribes, and Chris Bruno gave me some structural suggestions and noted places where I needed more clarity. Adam Christian read a section of the book with the oral tradition (rather than written) in mind. Chad Ashby gave me feedback in the initial stages, and Katlyn Richards completed the Scripture and author indexes. Bryan Dyer was instrumental in getting this project off the ground and provided good feedback along the way. The editors at Baker also improved the work, especially Wells Turner, who provided an editorial eye and double-checked my cross-references. I would be remiss not to mention my wife and children as they endured many late nights and coffee shop trips as I worked through this material. I could not have completed any of this if my wife were not such a stabilizing force at home.

My prayer as you read this book is that you too will follow the teacher of wisdom by paying close attention to the scribes recounting of Jesuss life. Matthew, as the disciple and scribe, wrote about Jesus in a unique way to make disciples of future generations (Matt. 28:1820).