Most scholars date Matthew to around 80–90 CE, within 70–100 CE.
The question when was the book of matthew written has shaped scholarship for a century. I have spent years reading the text, teaching it, and comparing it with other sources. In this guide, I bring research and practice together.
We will ask when was the book of matthew written, why it matters, and how experts decide. You will get clear steps, key dates, and practical tips you can use to weigh the evidence yourself.
Why the date of Matthew matters?
Dating matters because it changes how we read the Gospel. If it was written before 70 CE, we read a live debate with the Temple still standing. If after 70 CE, we hear a community rebuilding faith after loss.
Knowing when was the book of matthew written helps us judge sources, context, and meaning. It shapes how we see prophecy, history, and audience. In my seminars, I have seen this one date change how students read every page.
Historical setting: Judea and the early churches
The first century was tense. Rome ruled. Revolts spiked. In 70 CE, Rome destroyed the Jerusalem Temple. That shock changed Jewish life and early Christian debate.
Matthew reflects deep knowledge of Hebrew Scripture and Jewish practice. It speaks to a mixed community, likely Jewish and Gentile. It sounds like a voice from Syria, often linked to Antioch. These clues help answer when was the book of matthew written by placing it in a clear world.
External evidence: Early church testimony
Early church writers offer clues. A bishop reported that Matthew compiled “sayings” in a Hebrew dialect. Later writers said Matthew wrote for Jewish believers. One writer tied Matthew’s work to the time Peter and Paul were in Rome.
These reports are helpful, yet mixed. They hint at an early date, but do not give a firm year. Scholars weigh them with care when asking when was the book of matthew written.
Internal evidence: What the text itself shows
The Gospel uses Mark as a source in many places. Most experts date Mark around the late 60s to about 70 CE. If Matthew used Mark, Matthew likely came later.
Matthew also shows concern for life after the Temple. It highlights community rules, forgiveness, and conflict steps. It uses fulfillment quotes often. These features point to a post-70 setting for when was the book of matthew written.
Date proposals compared
Scholars discuss three windows. Each has reasons.
- Early date (50s–60s CE). Pro: Fits some church reports and an active apostolic era. Con: Hard to explain use of Mark and the post-Temple tone.
- Middle date (70–90 CE). Pro: Matches Markan use, Temple references, and community needs. Con: Some feel it does not match the earliest testimonies.
- Late date (90–110 CE). Pro: Explains mature church order and wider mission. Con: Risks pushing it beyond early citations.
When I teach this, I ask students to read one chapter with each date in mind. Most feel the 70–90 range fits best. That is why many answer when was the book of matthew written with “about 80–90 CE.”
The 70 CE turning point
The fall of Jerusalem marks a fault line. Before 70, Temple worship stood at the core. After 70, synagogue life and teaching took center stage. This shift shows up in Matthew’s focus on law, mercy, and community.
Matthew 24 speaks of the Temple’s fall. Some think it was written after the event. Others say Jesus foresaw it. The level of detail and tone help many date when was the book of matthew written to the years after 70 CE.
Manuscripts and material clues
We do not have the original. But we do have early fragments. Tiny scraps of Matthew on papyrus are often dated to the late second century. Larger codices appear in the fourth century.
These do not fix the year of composition. Yet they show the Gospel spread fast and wide. They support a first-century date and a strong early reception. They add context to the debate over when was the book of matthew written.
How scholars date ancient texts?
Dating a text is like solving a puzzle. No single piece is enough. Here is the normal method.
- Compare sources. If one text uses another, it came later.
- Track events. If a text knows an event, it may be after it.
- Read language. Style and vocabulary shift with time and place.
- Check reception. How early do others quote it or name it?
- Map geography. Place can explain themes and issues.
Using these steps, most scholars set when was the book of matthew written in the last third of the first century.
A simple timeline and a careful verdict
Here is a compact view.
- 30–33 CE. Jesus’ ministry and death.
- 50s–60s CE. Early letters and missions.
- 65–75 CE. Gospel of Mark, often near 70.
- 70 CE. Temple falls.
- 80–90 CE. Strong window for Matthew.
This range honors external notes and internal signs. It fits the flow from Mark to Matthew. It explains the community needs in the text. For readers who ask when was the book of matthew written, the best answer is still 80–90 CE, with a wider possible span of 70–100 CE.
Frequently Asked Questions of when was the book of matthew written
What is the most common scholarly date for Matthew?
Most scholars suggest 80–90 CE. Many allow a broader window of 70–100 CE based on evidence.
Why do many scholars date Matthew after Mark?
Matthew seems to use Mark as a source in many stories. Since Mark is often dated around 70 CE, Matthew likely follows.
Does the destruction of the Temple prove a post-70 date?
It does not prove it, but it suggests it. Matthew’s tone and detail fit a community processing that loss.
Did Matthew write first, before Mark?
A few argue that view, but it is rare today. The weight of literary evidence favors Mark first.
Was Matthew written in Hebrew or Greek?
Early reports mention Hebrew or Aramaic sayings. The Gospel we have reads as a Greek composition.
Where was Matthew likely written?
Many point to Antioch in Syria due to themes and audience. The exact place is not certain.
How sure can we be about the date?
We can be confident within a range, not a single year. Most evidence supports late first century.
Conclusion
Dating Matthew is a careful task, not a guess. The balance of clues points to 80–90 CE, within 70–100 CE. That window fits source use, community needs, and the world after 70 CE.
If you teach, study, or preach, use this range to frame the text and its themes. Let it guide how you read law, mercy, and mission.
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