Matthew is not a Judaizing Document

 

Four Primary Reasons why Matthew is not a Judaizing Gospel

1. Hebrew Matthew used by Ebionites and Judaizers had drastic differences from canonical Matthew because they could not reconcile it with Judaizing.

2. Matthew affirms the virgin birth.

3. Matthew includes sacrificial new covenant language.

4. If Matthew were a Judaizing Gospel, the Greek apologists would have denied it a canonical status.

The Torah and the Sermon On the Mount

One of the primary errors of Judaizing is failing to distinguish between the moral law and the ceremonial law. The moral precepts of God are constant, unchanging, and have remained the same across every covenant he has made, but his ceremonial requirements for his people have varied at times. Things such as murder, adultery, and fornication have always been prohibited. (Gen. 4:10-11; 9:6; 39:12) But his laws regarding dress, diet and grooming have changed over time. The prophet Joseph shaved his beard in the style of an Egyptian. (Gen. 41:14) But later in the Mosaic law it was prohibited for men to shave their beards at all or to imitate the culture of the Egyptians. (Lev. 18:3; 19:27; 21:5) What was formerly permitted for Joseph became prohibited under the law covenant. Joseph also wore mixed fabrics. (Gen. 37:3) But under the mosaic law the Jewish people were forbidden from wearing mixed fabrics. (Lev. 19:19; Deut. 22:9-11) Their high priests were exempt from this prohibition because their vestments included mixed fabrics. (Exod. 28:5-30) The point is this, the ceremonial requirements of God have varied depending upon time, place, audience and covenant—but his moral law is unchanging. In such examples we see the distinction between the moral and ceremonial law. In this way we may harmonize the passages which claim the law has been abolished with those which seem to state the opposite.

Matthew 5:17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.

Ephesians 2:15 He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, so that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace.

Christ claimed that he did not come to “abolish the law,” but the apostle Paul says “he has abolished the law.” In the latter case, Christ speaks concerning the moral law which was expressed in the Hebrew Scriptures, this he never deviated from at any time. He did not come to free men from the moral obligations set forth in the oracles of God. But he did come to do away with the ceremonial “commandments and ordinances” of the Mosaic law, which is what Paul refers to when he says “he has abolished the law.” In harmony with this, our Lord said, “the law and the prophets were until John.” (Lk. 16:16) The preaching of John the Baptist marked the end of the old covenant which was soon to be replaced by the new covenant. If someone should fail to make a distinction between the moral and ceremonial law then these two passages would stand in contradiction. The general formula that follows in the Sermon on the Mount shows that he is making adjustments and changes to the Torah, “You have heard it said,” is contrasted with “But I say to you,” signifying that Christ is teaching something different or greater than the law which was just mentioned.

	The Law of Moses	The Law of Messiah
	You have heard it said…	But I say to you…
Matt. 5:21	The Mosaic law demanded that murderers were “liable to the Court,” but did not consider insults and animosity severe enough to merit being liable to the Court of judges. (Deut. 5:17; Exod. 21:12, 14, et al)	Christ intensified this command by saying that those who hate and insult their brothers will be guilty before the Court of Heaven and punished in “the fiery hell.” (Matt. 5:21, 22)
Matt. 5:27	The Mosaic law prohibited adultery. (Exod. 20:14)	Christ intensified this command by saying that he who lusts after another man’s wife “has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matt. 5:28)
Matt. 5:31	The Mosaic law permits a certificate of divorce if a wife has not found favor in her husband’s eyes. (Deut. 24:1-4)	Christ intensified this command by saying that wives cannot be divorced except on the grounds of fornication. (Matt. 5:32;. 19:1-10) This is a stricter requirement for divorce, so the apostles complained that it was no longer advisable to marry. (Matt. 19:10)
Matt. 5:33	The Mosaic law commanded vows which invoke the name of God. (Exod. 22:10-11)	Christ abrogates this command and outlaws such vows. (Matt. 5.33-36 compare Jas. 5:12)
Matt. 5:38	The Mosaic law permits acts of revenge, “an eye for an eye.” (Lev. 24.20)	Christ abrogates this command and demands his followers should be merciful over minor offenses. (Matt. 5.38-39)
Matt. 5:43	The Mosaic law commands loving of neighbor, defined as a countryman (Lev. 19:17, 18) and Jewish tradition commanded hating of enemies. (Yoma 23a:4)	Christ instead commands that Christians must love their enemies and brothers. (Matt. 5:44-48) The command differs in that “brothers,” signifies any fellow believer, regardless of whether they are a countryman and because it includes a command to love enemies.