Meaning: The quote you've provided is attributed to Adam Clarke, a renowned theologian. In this quote, Clarke is expressing his belief in the credibility of the Gospel of Matthew, one of the four canonical gospels in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. He emphasizes that Matthew, as a constant attendant on Jesus, was able to provide an eyewitness account of the events he witnessed and the teachings he heard. Clarke further asserts that the influence of the Holy Spirit on Matthew's writing lends an additional level of credibility to his account.

The Gospel of Matthew is traditionally ascribed to the apostle Matthew, also known as Levi, who was a tax collector before being called by Jesus to become one of his twelve disciples. The gospel is believed to have been written between 70 and 110 AD, making it one of the earliest accounts of the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

As Clarke suggests, the credibility of Matthew's account is often attributed to his firsthand experience as a disciple of Jesus. This firsthand experience allowed Matthew to witness the miracles, parables, and interactions with Jesus, providing a unique perspective on the life and ministry of Jesus. This is in contrast to the other gospels, which were not written by direct eyewitnesses of Jesus' ministry.

The influence of the Holy Spirit, as mentioned by Clarke, is a significant aspect of the Christian belief in the inspiration of scripture. According to Christian doctrine, the authors of the Bible were guided and inspired by the Holy Spirit in their writings, ensuring the accuracy and truthfulness of the content. This belief in divine inspiration is foundational to the authority and reliability of the biblical texts.

Clarke's assertion about the credibility of Matthew's gospel aligns with the traditional Christian view of the Bible as the inspired and authoritative word of God. The Gospel of Matthew, along with the other three gospels, is considered by Christians to be a central source of information about the life and teachings of Jesus and is viewed as a reliable historical record of the events it describes.

Additionally, Clarke's statement reflects the ongoing theological debate and scholarship surrounding the authorship, date, and reliability of the gospels. While many scholars and theologians affirm the traditional authorship of the gospels, others approach the texts from a critical perspective, examining the historical context, literary characteristics, and potential sources used by the gospel writers.

In conclusion, Adam Clarke's quote underscores the significance of the Gospel of Matthew as a firsthand, credible account of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. His emphasis on Matthew's role as an eyewitness and the influence of the Holy Spirit highlights the foundational beliefs of Christian faith regarding the inspiration and reliability of biblical scripture. The quote invites further exploration and reflection on the historical, theological, and spiritual dimensions of the Gospel of Matthew within the Christian tradition.