During which period was the Gospel of Matthew written?

The Gospel of Matthew is generally believed to have been written between 75 and 80 CE. This timeframe is supported by historical and textual analysis, as well as the context in which the Gospel was composed. It reflects an understanding of the events surrounding the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in 70 CE and exhibits strong ties to Jewish tradition and teachings.

The Gospel's references to fulfilled prophecies and its emphasis on Jesus as a continuation and fulfillment of Jewish law indicate that its audience was likely familiar with Jewish customs and beliefs, aligning with a period shortly after the temple's destruction when early Christians were solidifying their identity both within and outside of Judaism.

The later dates, beyond 80 CE, could likely suggest developments in the early Christian community and theological reflections that are observed in later texts, but evidence suggests that significant portions of the text and its intended messages were formed in the earlier part of that range, further supported by scholarly consensus on the Gospel's composition being relatively close to the events of Jesus' life that it describes.