Author and Historical Context of Matthew's Gospel

Matthew's Gospel was written by Matthew, also known as Levi, who was a tax collector and one of Jesus' twelve disciples. Early church tradition suggests that he penned the Gospel while preparing to travel, aiming to provide a lasting testament of Jesus' life and ministry for the churches he served. Although many modern scholars place the Gospel's composition in the 80s, some argue it was written earlier, possibly before the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD. The intended audience appears to be primarily Jewish Christians, as the text frequently references Old Testament prophecies and themes familiar to those rooted in the synagogue tradition.