εὐαγγέλιον in Matthew
In “εὐαγγέλιον in Matthew” Jefferson Vann investigates how Matthew uses the word we usually translate “gospel.” In his translation, Jeff substitutes the word “excellent message” for εὐαγγέλιον. Jeff explains why Matthew thought the message was so excellent.
Oxford Languages defines “gospel” as 1) the teaching or revelation of Christ, and 2) the record of Jesus' life and teaching in the first four books of the New Testament.
We normally capitalize the second usage of the word, as in Matthew’s Gospel. A few days ago, I wrote an article in AFTERLIFE entitled “the gospel in Matthew’s Gospel” – in which I used both meanings of the word in the same title.
In my own translation of the New Testament, however, I have jettisoned the word “gospel.” To me, it is one of those dreaded religious words which everyone uses, but is quite meaningless. Those of us who do church a lot have developed a habit of using the word regularly, but it does not really say anything. It is a religious feeling word. That’s about it.
The Greek word in our New Testaments is εὐαγγέλιον (sounds something like euangelion). It’s related to our English words evangelical, evangelist, and evangelism.
A few years back – (okay, September 1966) a popular modern Bible translation tried to rescue the word’s meaning. The gospel – it proclaimed – is “good news for modern man.” It is no longer very politically correct to call the human race “man.” It doesn’t sound modern any more. The version is now called TEV – Today’s English Version.
I considered “good news” for my translation of εὐαγγέλιον, but it does not work for me. My idea when I hear the word “news” is something you watch on TV, or read in the newspaper. Lately, I don’t care much for that kind of news. Maybe that is why I don’t want to use the word.
I settled for the term “excellent message” for εὐαγγέλιον.
Here are the texts in my translation of Matthew which contain εὐαγγέλιον:
Matthew 4:23 And he went throughout the whole region of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the excellent message of his kingdom and healing every disease and every illness the people had.
Matthew 9:35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the excellent message of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction.
Matthew 24:14 And this excellent message of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end of the age will come.
Matthew 26:13 Honestly, I am telling you, wherever this excellent message is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her."
If you read my other article, it will be quite clear why Matthew would call it the excellent message of Christ’s kingdom. The subject of the message kind of fluctuates throughout the New Testament.
Jesus Christ (Mark 1:1).
God (Mark 1:14; Romans 1:1,15; 2 Corinthians 11:7; 1 Thessalonians 2:2, 8, 9; 1 Peter 4:17).
The kingdom of God (Luke 16:16)
The grace of God (Acts 20:24)
God’s Son (Romans 1:9).
Christ (Romans 15:19; 1 Corinthians 9:12; 2 Corinthians 2:12; 4:4; 9:13; Galatians 1:7; Philippians 1:27; 1 Thessalonians 3:2).
The glory of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:4).
Your salvation (Ephesians 1:13).
Peace (Ephesians 6:15).
Our Lord Jesus (2 Thessalonians 1:8).
The blessed God (1 Timothy 1:11).
But Let us not be too quick to pass by what Matthew says. I think it quite significant that the excellent message given to us to proclaim is the message about king Jesus and his coming kingdom. The message about the kingdom became the foundational doctrine to be proclaimed by the apostles as they established congregations. It was a political message as well as a religious one. It was as if God was finished with our ridiculous compartmentalizing. He sent his Son, not merely to be a prophet or priest, but to be our king. If we have no room for Christ as king, we are rejecting God’s excellent message.
But our king is not like the other kings, presidents and prime ministers. He came to rule over our messes, and make them right. That is why the excellent message came from the mouth of a man who also spent time touching people who had something wrong with them, and healing them. He demonstrated a power far beyond that of Herod or Caesar.
Notice also the scope of this kingdom. It is the whole world. The excellent message will be proclaimed to the whole world. That is such a mandate that if it is not done, it will delay the coming of the king.
Matthew’s story of Jesus is a missionary story, and the mission is global. Its scope is international, interracial and multi-ethnic. It makes nobodies (like the woman with a jar of perfume) world heroes. If you and I dare to communicate that excellent message, we become part of it.
Yes, it is an excellent message.