Hebrew Matthew and Matthean communities

by 1979- Scoggins, Debra Fay

Shem-Tob’s Even Bohan contains a version of the Gospel of Matthew in Hebrew. By comparing canonical Matthew to Hebrew Matthew, the present study shows that Hebrew Matthew displays tendencies to uphold the law, support the election of Israel, exalt John the Baptist, and identify Jesus as the Messiah during his ministry. These tendencies suggest that Hebrew Matthew reflects a less redacted Matthean tradition than does canonical Matthew. The conservative tendencies of Hebrew Matthew reflect a Jewish-Christian community with characteristics in common with other early Jewish Christianities. The significance of studying such communities lies in their importance for “the partings of the ways” between early Judaisms and early Christianities.