not officially, from many synagogues and sometimes even from the Temple (Robertson). It was no doubt partly for that reason that Matthew so quickly responded to Jesus' invitation and that so many other tax collectors were attracted to him. It was rare that a fellow Jew accepted them, especially by a rabbi, or teacher, such as Jesus.
             The Gospel of Matthew comes first in the New Testament, and because of its position it is the book most widely read of the New Testament and has extended great influence on the world (Hobbs). Matthew's gospel is th
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