Reviewed by: Encyclopedia of the Bible and Its Reception 18: Mass–Midnight ed. by C. M. Furey et al. Christoph Stenschke Furey, C. M., B. Matz, S. L. McKenzie, T. Römer, J. Schröter, B. D. Walfish and E. Ziolkowski, eds. 2020. Encyclopedia of the Bible and Its Reception 18: Mass–Midnight. Berlin: de Gruyter. ISBN 978-3110313352. Pp. xxviii + 1228 cols. €259. This essay takes the entries on the Gospel of Matthew and Messiah/Messianism in the latest volume of the multi-volume Encyclopedia of the Bible and Its Reception as its point of departure for a few reflections on the history of the reception of the Bible in Africa and the challenges involved in studying it. The comprehensive Encyclopedia of the Bible and Its Reception (2009–2021) endeavours to cover comprehensively not only the Bible but also its varied reception in Judaism, Christianity and Islam, as well as in literature, the visual arts, music and film (see https://www.degruyter.com/dg/page/ebr/encyclopedia-of-the-bible-and-its-reception). Previous volumes were vol. 1: Aaron–Aniconism; vol. 2: Anim–Atheism; vol. 3: Athena–Birkat ha-Minim; vol. 4: Birsha–Chariot of Fire; vol. 5: Charisma –Czaczkes; vol. 6: Dabbesheth–Dreams and Dream Interpretation; vol. 7: Dress–Essene Gate; vol. 8: Essenes–Fideism; vol. 9: Field–Gennesaret; vol. 10: Genocide–Hakkoz; vol. 11: Halah–Hizquni; vol. 12: Ho Tsun Shen–Insult; vol. 13: Integrity–Jesuit Order; vol. 14: Jesus–Kairos; vol. 15: Kalam–Lectio Divina; vol. 16: Lectionary–Lots; and vol. 17: Lotus– Masrekah. Volume 18 of the Encyclopedia of the Bible and Its Reception, covering entries from "Mass" to "Midnight," contains several entries of interest to NT scholars, in particular the entries on Matthew’s Gospel, the disciple Matthew and the many entries related to Messiah/Messianism. They offer up-to-date surveys by recognised international specialists in the field. However, the entries also raise interesting issues regarding the reception of the Bible in Africa and biblical scholarship in Africa. The extensive article on Matthew’s Gospel gives a good indication of the nature and approach of this Encyclopedia. It begins with Lidija [End Page 506] Novakovic’s six columns on "Matthew, Gospel of I. New Testament" (123–129). She treats issues of authorship, date and provenance, sources and genre, structure and theology, that is, Christology, fulfilment of Scripture, ecclesiology, ethics and eschatology. In closing, she discusses the socio-religious setting of the reconstructed Matthean community, that is, its relationship with Judaism, the gentiles and other Christian groups. However, there is no reference to the debate about Gospel audiences, in terms of which the notion that the Gospels were addressed to particular communities and reflect their concerns, was severely challenged (see Bauckham 1988). The following entry, "Matthew, Gospel of II. Christianity," consists of several sub-entries that trace aspects of the reception of Matthew’s Gospel in different eras: Brian Matz, "A. Greek and Latin Patristics and Orthodox Churches" (129–131); Edwin Woodruff Tait, "B. Medieval and Reformation Times" (131–134); Ian Boxall, "C. Modern Europe and America" (134–137) and Clyde R. Forsberg, "D. New Christian Churches and Movements" (138). Like with many other entries in previous volumes, the reception of biblical books or persons, et cetera, in Africa, Asia or Latin America is not included. What are readers to make of this omission? At worst, it is simply not considered worth mentioning. However, other entries that do include the reception of the Bible in Africa (e.g., in the following entries related to Messiah) indicate that this is not the case. More likely, such omissions are attributable to the fact that few people are ready and able to tackle this, admittedly, thankless task. To use the present example, who would dare to write a representative survey on the reception of Matthew’s Gospel in Africa? Would "Africa" in this case mean sub-Saharan Africa, as is often assumed? If the term would include Northern Africa, the picture would be even more complex, as it would include, for example, the ancient and rich heritage of Ethiopian Christianity. However, some material is available, for example the varied notions of Jesus in Africa, based on Matt...