Date of composition

• Late 100s.
• The complete writing has not been found.
• It was mentioned by Clement of Alexander (d. 215) and later early church leaders.

Biography of Jesus?

• Unknown. See the "Length" below.

Type of Apocrypha (heretical or in error (made up))

• Heretical. Clement suggested Gnostics used it.

Length

• All we have are three quotes found in Clement's Stromata.

Summary

• Unknown; see "Length" above.

Noteworthy from the book

1. This may be the Apostle who took Judas's place as described in Acts 2 or may be a version of the name of Matthew.
2. The second quote (below) stated that one should not consider the body's desires but focus on the spiritual life. This dualism reflects a Gnostic understanding that people advance spiritually through knowledge.
3. The first quote: "Wonder at what is before you."
4. The second quote: "Therefore they say that Matthias also taught this: 'We must fight indeed with the flesh, and put no value on it, giving it nothing for pleasure; but rather increase the soul through faith and knowledge.'"
5. The third quote: "If the neighbor of a Christian sins, the Christian has also sinned. For had he conducted himself as the Word describes, his neighbor also would have been filled with such reverence for the Christian life that he would not have sinned."