mrsonic

"This story became widely known, and is current in Jewish circles to
this day."

does this sound like matthew was writing in israel? or does it sound like he is informing someone about what is going on in israel?

Sheshbazzar

First, I wouldn't start with the assumption that any first century 'matthew' ever actually wrote that verse.

aa5874

Secondly, I would NOT start with the assumption that gMatthew is history.

Sarpedon

Third, I would ask why would someone bother coming up for explanations of religious claims of religions other than their own? Do I trouble myself about the buraq?

Doug Shaver

No.

It was not called Israel at the time of Matthew's writing, by the way. In this context, the proper name for that part of the world would be either Palestine or Judea.

Possibly, but not necessarily. I see nothing in the context suggesting that the only Jews whom Matthew was concerned with were those in Judea.

Toto

This is a common phrase in Eusebius' writing - the proof that something happened is that some sign can still be seen "to this day." It indicates to me that the text is being written several generations (at least) after the events it describes, but not much about the location.

la70119

To me, it sounds like someone writing from outside Israel Judea, after 70 CE. And the alleged story allegedly circulated round-about the Jewish diaspora.