The Book of Matthew, also known as the Gospel of Matthew, does not explicitly name its author within the text itself. However, early Christian tradition universally attributes its authorship to Matthew, also known as Levi, who was a former tax collector and one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. Early church figures such as Papias (circa AD 60–130), Irenaeus, Origen, and others consistently credit Matthew as the author. Despite this traditional claim, most modern biblical scholars view the Gospel as an anonymous work, suggesting it was written by a Jewish Christian with deep knowledge of Hebrew Scriptures, sometime after the destruction of the Jerusalem temple in 70 CE.

Summary of Views

• Christian tradition and early church writings unanimously ascribe the book to Matthew the apostle.

• The Gospel likely originated in a Jewish-Christian context, reflecting detailed understanding of Jewish law and Old Testament prophecy.

• The majority of current biblical scholars believe the work is technically anonymous, composed later in the first century by an unknown author, but the name “Matthew” has remained attached due to early ecclesiastical attributions and manuscript evidence.

Conclusion

In summary, the Book of Matthew is traditionally attributed to the apostle Matthew, though its actual authorship cannot be definitively proven and is debated among modern scholars.