An original composition would be homogeneous; it is markedly heterogeneous.

The first two chapters clearly belong to a different stock of materials from the rest of the Gospel.

A broad division is seen in regard to the Old Testament quotations.

Those which are common to the other two Synoptists are almost if not quite uniformly taken from the Septuagint; those, on the other hand, which seem to belong to the reflection of the Evangelist betray more or less distinctly the influence of the Hebrew [Endnote 153:1].

Our Gospel is thus seen to be a recension of another original document or documents and not an original document itself.
Again, if our St.Matthew had been an original composition and had appeared from the first in its present full and complete form, it would be highly difficult to account for the omissions and variations in Mark and Luke.