Matthew is less characteristic in style than in arrangement and matter. The orderly, business-like traits which had been fos- tered by his employment as a publican, appear in his methodical arrangement and grouping of his subject. His narrative is more sober and less graphic than either Mark’s or Luke’s. The pict- ure of our Lord’s life, character, and work, as Teacher, Sevicur, and Messianic King, is painted simply, broadly, and boldly, but without minute detail, such as abounds in Mark. His diction and construction are the most Hebraistic of the synoptists, though Jess so than those of John’s gospel. The following Hebrew peculiarities are to be noted; 1. The phrase, A’ing- dom of Heaven (Bacireia tov ovpavev), which occurs thirty- two times, and is not found in the other evangelists, who use Kingdom of God. 2. Father in Heaven, or Heavenly Father (0 tratnp 6 év ovpavois: 0 matnp Oo ovpavios). This occurs fif- teen times in Matthew, only twice in Mark, and not at all in Luke, xi. 2 being a false reading. 8. Son of David, seven times in Matthew, three in Mark, three in Luke. 4. The Holy City (Jerusalem), in Matthew only. 5. Zhe end of the world, or consummation of the age (i) avvtéXeva TOD aidvos), in Matthew only. 6. Ln order that it might be fulfilled which was spoken (iva or Oras TANPoS TO pyIév), eight times in Matthew, and not elsewhere in this form. This is Matthew’s characteristic for- mula. 7. That which was spoken (76 pnSév), twelve times; J¢ was spoken (éppy9n), six times. Not elsewhere used of script- ure, for Mark xii. 14 is a false reading. Matthew always uses that which was spoken (ro pyn3év) when quoting scripture himself. In other quotations he has J¢ is written (yéyparrat), like the other evangelists. He never uses the singular ypad7 (properly @ passage of scripture). 8. And behold (Kat idov), in narrative, twenty-three times; in Luke, sixteen. 9. Heathen (€Ivexos), in Matthew only. 10. Zo swear in (ouvdew ey, i.e., by), twelve times, and in Matthew only.
A number of words condemned by the grammarians as un- classical or as slang are employed by Mark, and a few of these may be found in Matthew, such as wovdddarwos, having one eye ; KohruPic Tat, money-changers ; Kopdavov, maid ; pais, a needle. He also uses some Latinisms, three at least in common with