Another minor characteristic which deserves remark, is Matthew's use of the plural, where the other evangel- ists have the singular. Thus, in the temptation, we have " stones" and " loaves" (iv, 3), two dtemoniacs (viii, 28),roiicxop7"oiJC (xiv, 19), two blind men (xx,30; comp. ix, 27), the ass and her colt (xxi, 2), servants (xxi, 34, 36), both thieves blaspheming (xxvii, 44). This is in- geniously accounted for by Da Costa {Four Witnesses, p. 322), though this is not universally applicable, on the idea that " his point of view — regarding the events he narrates as fulfilled prophecies — leads him to regard the species rather than the individual ; the entire plen- itude of the prophecy rather than the isolated fulfil- ment."
VI. Relation to Marh and Luke. — In the article on Mark we have expressed our opinion that, while hi8 Gospel is probably in essence the oldest, there is nothing seriously to invalidate the traditional statement that Matthew's was the earliest in composition — the first committed to writing. Neither does a careful review of the text of the Gospel allow us to accept the view put forth by Ewald with his usual dogmatism, and de- fended with his wonted acuteness, that, as we have it, it is a fusion of four different elements — (1.) An original Greek Gospel of the simplest and briefest form ; (2.) An Aramaic " collection of sayings" (ja \6yia) ; (3.) the narrative of JMark ; and (4.) " a book of higher histor}-." That our Gospel is no such curious mosaic is evident from the unity of plan and unity of language which pervades the whole, and to an unprejudiced reader Ew- ald's theory refutes itself.
Comparing Matthew's Gospel with those of Mark and Luke, we find the following passages peculiar to him: chap, i (with the exception of the great central fact), and chap, ii entirely. The genealogy, the suspicions of Joseph, the visit of the magi, the flight into Eg5'pt and return thence, the massacre of the innocents, and the reason of the settlement at Nazareth, are given by IMat- thew alone. To him we owe the notice that " the Phar- isees and Sadducees" came to John's baptism (iii, 7) ; that John was unwUling to baptize our Lord, and the words in which Jesus satisfied his scruples (ver. 13-15) ; the Sermon on the Mount in its fullest form (ch. v, vi, vii) ; the prediction of the call of the Gentiles, appended to the miracle of the centurion's servant (viii, 11, 12) ; the cure of the two blind men (ix, 27-30) ; and that memorable passage by which, if by nothing else, Mat- thew will forever be remembered with thankfulness — which, as perhaps the fullest exposition of the spirit of the Gospel anywhere to be found in Holy Scripture, taught Augustine the difference between the teaching of Christ and that of the best philosophers (xi, 28-30) ; the solemn passage about " idle words" (xii, 36, 37) ; four of the parables in ch. xiii, the tares, the hid treas- ure, the pearl, and the draw-net ; several incidents re- lating to Peter, his walking on the water (xiv, 28-31), the blessing pronounced upon him (xvi, 17-19), the trib- ute-money (xvii, 24-27) ; nearly the whole of ch. xviii, with its lessons of humility and forgiveness, and the parable of the unmerciful servant ; the lessons on volun- tary continence (xix, 10, 12) ; the promise to the twelve (ver. 28) ; the parables of the laborers in the vinej-ard (xx, 1-lC), the two sons (xxi, 28-32), the transference of the kingdom to the Gentiles (ver. 43) ; the parable of the marriage of the king's son (xxii, 1-14) ; nearly the whole of the denunciations against the Scribes and Pharisees in ch. xxiii ; the parables of the last things in ch. xxv. In the history of the passion the pecidiar- ities are numerous and uniform in character, tending to show how, in the midst of his betrayal, sufferings, and death, our Lord's Messiahship was attested. It is in Matthew alone that we read of the covenant with Judas for " thirty pieces of silver" (xxvi, 15) ; his inquiry " Is it I ?" (xxvi. 25), as well as the restoration of the money in his despair, and its ultimate destination in uncon- scious fulfilment of prophecy (xxvii, 3-10) ; the cup " for the remission of sins" (xxvi, 28); the mention of the
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" twelve legions of angels" (ver. 52-54) ; Pilate's wife's tlreiiiii (xxvii, 19), his washing his hands (ver. 24), and the inii)r'jcation "His hlood be on lis," etc. (verse 25); the opening of the graves (ver. 52, 53), and the watch placed at the sepulchre (ver. 62-G6). In the account of tlie resurrection we lind only in Matthew the great earthquake (xxviii, 2), the descent of the angel, his glorious ajipearancc striking terror into the guards (ver. 2-4), their tlight, and the falsehood spread by them at the instigation of the priests (ver. 11-15); our Lord's appearance to the women (ver. 9, 10) ; the adoration and doubt of the apostles (ver. 17); and, finally, the parting commission and promise of his ever-abiding presence (ver. 18-20).
This review of the Gospel will show us that of the matter peculiar to Matthew, the larger part consists of parables and discourses, and that he adds comparatively little to the narrative. Of thirty-three recorded mira- cles eighteen are given by Matthew, but onlj' two, the cure of the blind men (ix, 27-30) and the tribute money (xvii, 24-27), are peculiar to him. Of twenty-nine par- ables Matthew records fifteen; ten, as noticed above, being peculiar to him. Eeuss, dividing the matter con- tained in the synoptical Gospels into 100 sections, finds 73 of them in Matthew, 63 in Mark, in Luke, the rich- est of all, 82. Of these, 49 are common to all three ; 9 common to JlatthcAV and Mark; 8 to Matthew and Luke ; 3 to Mark and Luke. Only 7 of these are pecul- iar to Matthew ; 2 to Mask ; -while Luke contains no less than 22.