CHAPTER III.

Books of the New Testament and their Authors. - Historical.

1. As early as the second century the New Testament was considered under the two heads or divisions of Gospels and Epistles, or Gospels and Apostles. The more common division at this day is historical, doctrinal, and prophetical. The historical embraces the four Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles; and the doctrinal includes all the rest, except Revelations, which is classed with the prophetical portion of the Scriptures. The term New Testament was borrowed at an early period by the church from the Scriptures themselves. Matt. xxvi. 28.; Heb. ix. 15, 20. The term Gospel, which is generally applied to the histories of Christ and his teachings by the four Evangelists, is frequently used in a more extended sense as significant of the whole system of grace and salvation, which the religion of Jesus unfolds. The word Gospel is derived from two Saxon words, God (Good) and spel (message or tidings) and exactly answers to the Greek Evangelion, which is evidently intended to denote the "glad tidings of great joy which shall be unto all people." Luke ii. 10.

2. MATTHEW. Matthew, who is called Levi by Mark and Luke (Mark ii. 14.; Luke v. 27, 29), was by birth a Jew, and a native of Galilee; but of what city, or of what tribe, we are not informed. Before he became a follower of Christ, he was employed as a tax-gatherer and custom-house officer under the Romans. He was connected with the custom-house at Capernaum, a maritime city on the sea of Galilee, and collected the duties upon all goods exported or imported at that place, and the tribute exacted of those who passed over the Lake. That Matthew's condition in life was at least easy, is inferred from the entertainment which he gave, soon after his call, to his acquaintances and friends. After being numbered with the disciples, he constantly accompanied Christ as a hearer, and a witness, of his wonderful works; and continued with him to the end. After the ascension he remained at Jerusalem with the rest of the disciples, but how long he stayed in Judea we are not informed. Nor have we any certain account of the time, place, and circumstances of his death. An ecclesiastical historian of the fifth century states, that he suffered martyrdom in India; but this is believed to be incorrect.

3. His Gospel. With regard to the date of the gospel by Matthew, and the language in which it was written, there has been much discussion. Without entering into the merits of the question in debate, we shall state what appears to us the most probable in regard to the time and language

of Matthew's history. It seems clear to our mind, that this gospel was composed about the year 37 or 38, being the first of the four. It was written in Judea, for the use, more especially, of the Jews or Jewish Christians, and originally, of course, in the language of Palestine, which was Hebrew, or rather Syro-Chaldaic. At a very early period, however, it was translated into Greek for more general circulation, but by whom cannot be ascertained. It is not improbable, that it may have been done by Matthew himself.

4. MARK. This evangelist was a native of Judea, and a nephew of Barnabas, being the same person mentioned in the Acts as John Mark. He travelled extensively. He went from Jerusalem to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, and accompanied them to other countries as their minister. Acts xii. 25; xiii. 5. It seems he left them without sufficient cause, and returned to Jerusalem; for afterward, when he would have rejoined them in their travels, Paul refused to have him. In consequence of this, Barnabas separated from Paul, and taking his nephew proceeded to Cyprus. Acts xv. 36-41. Paul and Mark were afterwards, however, reconciled. 2 Tim. iv. 11; Phil. 24; Col. iv. 10. Soon after his journey with Barnabas, he met Peter in Asia, and went with him to Rome. He is supposed, after the death of Peter, to have gone to Egypt, and, having established a church at Alexandria, to have died there in the year 67.

5. His Gospel. The following is the account

given by Eusebius, of the occasion of writing his gospel. "So greatly did the lustre of piety enlighten the minds of Peter's hearers, that they were not satisfied with hearing once, or with the unwritten instruction of the Gospel of God; but they earnestly requested Mark, whose gospel we have, and who was the companion of Peter, to leave them a written account of the doctrines which had been delivered to them by word of mouth. Nor did they cease their solicitations until they had prevailed upon him; and thus they were the cause of the writing that history, which is called the Gospel according to Mark." Such is Eusebius's account. His gospel was written in Greek, at Rome, probably about the year 64 or 65.

6. LUKE. With regard to this Evangelist, we have but little certain information. By some he is supposed to have been a Jew by birth, by others to have descended of Gentile parents. Eusebius informs us, that he was a native of Antioch, a city of Syria. He was a physician, according to the opinions of the fathers, and more learned than either of the other Evangelists. He was for several years the constant companion of Paul; went with him into Macedonia, and thence to Jerusalem ; and, when the Apostle was arrested, he followed him to Cæsarea, and, upon his appeal to the emperor, sailed with him to Rome, where he stayed with him during his two years' confinement. Acts xvi. 8-40; xx. xxvii. xxviii. He is honorably mentioned by Paul in several of his Epistles. Col. iv.

14; 2 Tim. iv. 11; Philem. 24. His death took place in Achaia, in Greece, at the advanced age of 84.

7. His Gospel. The gospel of Luke was probably written in Achaia, about the year 64. The occasion of its being written is stated with sufficient distinctness by Luke himself, in the preface to his gospel. "Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, that thou mightest know the certainty of those things wherein thou hast been instructed." Luke i. 1-4. It seems, that there were many imperfect records of the life and actions of Christ in circulation; and the probability is, that Theophilus had requested Luke to prepare a correct and full account of all from the beginning. Having furnished himself with all necessary information from those who were eyewitnesses, he accordingly set to work in the composition of his gospel, designed more especially for the Gentile converts, in Achaia or Greece.

8. JOHN. The Apostle John was a native of Bethsaida, a town on the sea of Galilee. He was the son of Zebedee and Salome, and a fisherman by occupation. He seems to have been regarded with peculiar affection by Jesus, and hence is cal