The question of whether the first-century Romano-Jewish historian Flavius Josephus directly addressed the figure of Matthew, commonly associated with the Gospel, is a central point of scholarly investigation. No extant writing attributed to Josephus explicitly mentions Matthew as an author or individual follower of Jesus. His works primarily focus on Jewish history, the Jewish revolt against Rome, and interpretations of Jewish law and customs for a Roman audience.
The absence of direct reference to New Testament figures within Josephus’s body of work holds significant implications. Historians often examine Josephus’s writings to understand the broader socio-political context of first-century Judea. The lack of explicit mention of specific individuals prominent in early Christian narratives raises questions about the extent of Christian influence during the period Josephus documented. It also underscores the limited scope of his work, primarily concerned with Jewish affairs and Roman relations rather than the nascent Christian movement.
