Evidence for God from Science

Matthew 9:9Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

The Call of Matthew
9 As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office, and He said to him, “Follow Me!” So he got up and followed Him.

Does anyone have any idea why Matthew refers to himself in the third person?

Thanks

Christian2 wrote:Matthew 9:9Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

The Call of Matthew
9 As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office, and He said to him, “Follow Me!” So he got up and followed Him.

Does anyone have any idea why Matthew refers to himself in the third person?

Thanks

Matthew was telling the story of Christ, not himself, so Christ was the main person.

jenna wrote:

Christian2 wrote:Matthew 9:9Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

The Call of Matthew
9 As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office, and He said to him, “Follow Me!” So he got up and followed Him.

Does anyone have any idea why Matthew refers to himself in the third person?

Thanks

Matthew was telling the story of Christ, not himself, so Christ was the main person.

Thank you jenna.

We also know that John spoke in the third person -- "the disciple Jesus loved."

And Jesus spoke in the third person:

Matthew 17:9 - As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, 'Don't tell anyone what you have seen, UNTIL THE SON OF MAN HAS BEEN RAISED FROM THE DEAD.'

It was a common practice of the early disciples to speak in the third person so as not to hog the glory and make themselves out as super-saint-leaders. Therefore it was a sign of humility. In fact Moses, wrote of himself as being humble in the same way not to make himself out as the greatest in order that people should not worship him in some form of hero worship which is common in humanity to do. Matthew wrote in a manner to avoid such hero worship.

Now compare that today how some ministers and religious leaders make themselves by their writings to be adored and hero worshiped....
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B. W. wrote:It was a common practice of the early disciples to speak in the third person so as not to hog the glory and make themselves out as super-saint-leaders. Therefore it was a sign of humility. In fact Moses, wrote of himself as being humble in the same way not to make himself out as the greatest in order that people should not worship him in some form of hero worship which is common in humanity to do. Matthew wrote in a manner to avoid such hero worship.

Now compare that today how some ministers and religious leaders make themselves by their writings to be adored and hero worshiped....
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Thanks for your response B.W.

Yeah, what's up with some ministers who want to be adored and junk?

I know a Pastor who uses his sense of humor to get people to like him and sometimes that humor is cutting and hurtful, but people laugh. What's up with the people who laugh?

Maybe it's because people don't take church seriously -- is God's Word being taught or is it more politics or human interest topics or current events ,etc. from the pulpit. Why people laugh in response? Sometimes it's because they can't believe the pastor is actually saying 'that'. I've heard curse words being used in a context that makes me laugh. And I'm Not a proponent of bad language by any means. And sometimes people will allow stuff from a pastor that wouldn't be acceptable by any one else. Those who are in a position of leadership / an authority figure will let it 'go to their head' and abuse their position which is BAD.


I'm also a person who believes that God's Word has been received by 'us' just as He intended it to be // meaning that using the 3rd person was Intended for whatever purpose God wanted it to be. It Does keep our attention as we read it.

I think it is good to get people's attention to draw them into the message.This can be done many ways and humor is a good way.I think some ministers can be boring even if they are preaching the truth.Jesus certianly did things to get peoples attention to draw people in to the message and we can do it to.

abelcainsbrother wrote:I think it is good to get people's attention to draw them into the message.This can be done many ways and humor is a good way.I think some ministers can be boring even if they are preaching the truth.Jesus certianly did things to get peoples attention to draw people in to the message and we can do it to.

Jesus Did do things to get people's attention and He still does every day -- through His Word and people who He directs. But pastor's should be getting our attention using Positive methods. If a preacher is perceived as being boring -- Maybe it's the person listening who is...... and some pastors Are boring -- have they really been called to be a pastor? Or has a particular group of people appointed him to be leader because he seems to be more familiar with Scripture or happens to be the oldest person in the group.

A pastor with a questionable 'sense of humor' Maybe should be 'called on it' in private.

crochet1949 wrote:

abelcainsbrother wrote:I think it is good to get people's attention to draw them into the message.This can be done many ways and humor is a good way.I think some ministers can be boring even if they are preaching the truth.Jesus certianly did things to get peoples attention to draw people in to the message and we can do it to.

Jesus Did do things to get people's attention and He still does every day -- through His Word and people who He directs. But pastor's should be getting our attention using Positive methods. If a preacher is perceived as being boring -- Maybe it's the person listening who is...... and some pastors Are boring -- have they really been called to be a pastor? Or has a particular group of people appointed him to be leader because he seems to be more familiar with Scripture or happens to be the oldest person in the group.

A pastor with a questionable 'sense of humor' Maybe should be 'called on it' in private.

I actually can handle what most might consider boring preachers as long as they are preaching/teaching the truth.But I believe in John chapter 13 if you read it Jesus is teaching his disciples to do things to get people's attention to draw them into what you are preaching/teaching while you minister. I was also thinking about talents and gifts we each have that can be used as we minister God's work in the earth.The Holy Spirit should be leadng the person into God's will for their life and gifts and talents including humor used the right way can draw people into a person's message from God. I agree with you.

It could also be the case that the writer may not have been Matthew but Matthew may have dictated ( as Paul did).

Regardless, it is NOT an issue, nor was it then.