The book of Matthew was written sometime around _____.

• A. A.D. 50's
• B. A.D. 90's
• C. A.D. 70's
• D. A.D. 30's

Answer: (C)

Dating the Gospel of Matthew hinges on how it fits with other early writings and the historical backdrop it reflects. Most scholars think Matthew relied on the Gospel of Mark, which is commonly dated to the 60s. If Matthew used Mark as a source, it would have to be written after Mark, pointing to a date in the late 60s or 70s. There’s also a sense in which Matthew addresses a Christian community shaped after the destruction of Jerusalem’s temple in 70 AD, which fits a post-70s setting. Those two strands—the Markan dependence and the post-70 AD context—make the 70s the best fit. The alternative dates don’t line up as well: the 30s or 50s would place Matthew too early given Mark’s existence and the developing church concerns, while the 90s, though possible in some theories, is less favored because it doesn’t align as cleanly with the literary relationship to Mark.