Matthew / Man
Matthew is symbolized by a man because his Gospel starts with the genealogical table of the ancestors of Jesus according to the Flesh.
Matthew gives greater detail to Jesus’ human origins.
- Through a genealogy tied to sinners Christ is shown to be the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham, the blessing to all the nations. (Mt 1:1-17)
Matthew’s man recalls the Incarnation and reminds men that the Son of God became man.
Matthew clearly declares Jesus identity as God/Man.
- While Christ is born a Man, he is the fulfillment of prophecies(Mt 2:21)
Man is a reasonable animal, he who treads the path of reason alone deserves that name.
Matthew’s account emphasizes Jesus as teacher:
- Man is called to take up the teaching of the Kingdom and live it in his relationships on earth.(Chapter 5-7, sermon on the mount)
- The mission of the Church is given by Christ to be lived out. The disciples are told to go to “the lost sheep of the house of Israel”, preaching and healing. (Chapter 10).
- The church is to be characterized by humility, becoming ‘like children’. (Chapter 18)
Video
Matthew from Greg Carl on Vimeo.
Sources
Burridge, Richard A. Four Gospels, One Jesus?. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 2005.
Male, Emile. The Gothic Image:religious art in france of the thirteenth century. New York: Harper & Row, 1972.
St. Irenaeus of Lyons (ca. 120-202 AD) - Adversus Haereses 3.11.8 http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0103311.htm
St. Jerome http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf206.vii.iv.ii.html also have translation of part of latin text.
Augustine http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf106.vi.iv.vi.html
Here are a few verses for each that I thought kind of fit. It is a little harder for Luke than John. http://www.latinvulgate.com/ luke 18:16 21:19 7:47 19:10 john 1:1 1:4 5:26 6:38
Images
Creator Albrecht Altdorfer Title Saint Sebastian Altar; Resurrection Work Type painting Date 1518
Creator Donatello Title High Altar of the Santo; detail with bronze relief of angel, symbol of Saint Matthew the Evangelist Date 1446 - 1450 Location Basilica di Sant'Antonio (Padua, Italy) Material bronze
Creator Antonio Tempesta, 1555-1630 Title St. Matthew and the Angel
Creator Martin Schongauer Title The Angel of St. Matthew
Creator Jost Amman Title St. Matthew Writing His Gospel beside the Angel ( Matt. 1 )