The Library of New Testament Studies

In this careful study, the unparalleled sayings in Matthew (the ''M'' sayings) are investigated as a source of evidence for a reconstruction of the history of the community in which the various traditions were preserved. Using a wide range of criteria, Dr Brooks isolates fourteen ''M'' sayings from major concentrations of unparalleled material in Matt. 5.17-6.18 and chs. 10 and 23, supplementing these with four additional sayings. The picture of the traditions that emerges provides the basis for a new hypothesis that reconstructs a three-stage history of the Matthean community, thereby accounting for the presence of some mutually exclusive traditions in the Gospel.