In this careful study, the unparalleled sayings in Matthew (the 'M' sayings) are investigated as a source of evidence for a reconstruc-tion of the history of the community in which the various traditions were preserved.

Using a wide range of criteria, Dr Brooks isolates fourteen 'M' sayings from major concentrations of unparalleled material in Matt 5.17-6.18 and chs. 10 and 23, supplementing these with four additional sayings. The picture of the traditions that emerges provides the basis for a new hypothesis that reconstructs a three-stage history of the Matthean community, thereby accounting for the presence of some mutually exclusive traditions in the Gospel.

Dr Brooks is Assistant Professor of Religion, Hamilton College, Clinton, New York.