Redefining Ancient Borders The Jewish Scribal Framework of Matthew's Gospel [Paperback]

Matthew's community, contrary to what many scholars believe, was a cosmopolitan, wealthy Jewish Christian community located in Galilee. Gale concludes that Matthew's community was a conservative Christian community located in Galilee that still believed the laws of the Torah were valid and required strict adherence. Gale's argument contrasts with many scholars who argue that the Matthean church was in the process of, or had already abolished, the Torah. Gale uses material evidence to indicate that Matthew's community was cosmopolitan and wealthy, and he argues that the community was also highly learned, comprised of many scribes. Gale concludes that the Matthean church was located near Sepphoris and was a wealthy, urban, and learned community.

PREFACE8
INTRODUCTION10
Research Topics and Presuppositions10
A Final Note: The Case for Utilizing Rabbinic Sources in New Testament Study17

CHAPTER 1: THE MATTHEAN COMMUNITY AND FORMATIVE JUDAISM27
The State of Judaism following 70 C.E.27
The State of Judaism in Galilee33
The State of Christianity following the Jewish War41
Struggles between Judaism and Jewish Christianity43

Evidence of Tension in the Matthean Gospel49
The Matthean Gospel as a Jewish Text51

CHAPTER 2: TRADITION IN TRANSITION, OR ANTIOCH VS. SEPPHORIS:63
RETHINKING THE MATTHEAN COMMUNITY'S LOCATION63
Preliminary Observations: Matthew's Community as a City Church63
The Matthean Community's Location: Antioch vs. Sepphoris70

Sepphoris: The Home to the Matthean Community87

CHAPTER 3: THE WEALTH OF THE MATTHEAN COMMUNITY96
Galilean Economics: A First-Century View96

Matthew as a Wealthy Galilean Community105

The Matthean Community in the Context of the Roman Economy113

Texts and Economics: The Existence of the Book Trade118

CHAPTER 4: SCRIBES AND CONFLICTS: LEADERSHIP IN THE MATTHEAN COMMUNITY129
The Role of the Scribe in the First Century129

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