Which statement about Matthew is accurate?

• A. Matthew is the author of the Gospel of Mark.
• B. Matthew is the author of the first Gospel, presenting Jesus as the new Moses and fulfilling Old Testament prophecy.
• C. Matthew wrote only the Acts of the Apostles.
• D. Matthew is a fictional character.

Answer: (B)

This question tests who Matthew is and how his gospel presents Jesus. The accurate statement is that Matthew is traditionally seen as the author of the first Gospel, and that this Gospel portrays Jesus as the new Moses and as one who fulfills Old Testament prophecy. Matthew emphasizes Jesus as the Messiah who fulfills Israel’s Scriptures, often citing prophecies to show that Jesus’ life and mission continue and complete what the Hebrew Bible foretold. The “new Moses” motif is central: Jesus teaches with authoritative interpretation on a mountainside in the Sermon on the Mount and presents a renewed understanding of the Law, aligning Jesus’ ministry with the covenant promises while deepening their meaning. Genealogies and fulfillment formulas in Matthew repeatedly link Jesus’ story to Abraham and David, underscoring that Jesus fulfills the prophetic expectations surrounding the Messiah.

The other statements don’t fit this traditional view. The Gospel of Mark is a separate account attributed to Mark, not Matthew. Acts is traditionally attributed to Luke, not Matthew. And Matthew is understood as a historical figure in tradition, not a fictional character.