Scripture Readings - Matthew

Gospel of Matthew
Although the document is internally anonymous, the authorship of this Gospel has been traditionally ascribed to St. Matthew. The surviving testimony of the Church Fathers is unanimous in this view, and the tradition had been accepted by Christians at least as early as the 2nd century up to modern times. In addition, the title “According to Matthew” is found in the earliest codices, which date to the fourth century.
According to Tradition, after Pentecost St. Matthew preached the Good News of the Lord’s Resurrection throughout Palestine. Then, at the request of the Jewish converts at Jerusalem, the holy Apostle Matthew wrote his Gospel describing the earthly life of the Savior before leaving to preach the Gospel in faraway lands. He then left to preach his Gospel in Syria, Media, Persia, Parthia, before being martyred in Ethiopia.
Because it was first recorded in Palestine, there is some speculation and evidence that Matthew’s Gospel was originally written in Aramaic, though the earliest surviving version now in existence is in Greek. It was probably written somewhere from AD 60-65, though more liberal scholars put the date at 80-100.
The Gospel of St. Matthew is read liturgically over seventeen weeks beginning with the Monday of the Holy Spirit (the day after Pentecost). From the twelfth week, it is read on Saturdays and Sundays while the Gospel of St. Mark is read on the remaining weekdays.
Note that according to the Typicon, the Gospel of Luke always begins on the Monday following the Sunday after the Exaltation of the Cross. This may or may not be the 18th week after Pentecost. So the Gospel of St. Matthew readings may end early (skipping readings) or later (repeating readings).

Reading Read Time Hit Count
Matthew 27:1-38 (Vespers) 4 mins 4446
Matthew 27:1-56 (Holy Friday Royal Hours – First Hour) 6 mins 5344
Matthew 27:3-32 (5th Passion Gospel) 3 mins 7428
Matthew 27:33-54 (7th Passion Gospel) 2 mins 7734
Matthew 27:39-54 (Holy Friday Vespers) 2 mins 4432
Matthew 27:55-61 (Holy Friday Vespers) 1 min 4298
Matthew 27:62-66 (12th Passion Gospel) 1 min 7098
Matthew 27:62-66 (Great Saturday Matins) 1 min 5475
Matthew 28:1-20 (Holy Saturday Liturgy of St. Basil) 2 mins 4967
Matthew 28:16-20 (1st Matins Resurrection Gospel) 1 min 6549