Moments of Ioffe time parton distribution functions from non-local matrix elements

We examine the relation of moments of parton distribution functions to matrix elements of non-local operators computed in lattice quantum chromodynamics. We argue that after the continuum limit is taken, these non-local matrix elements give access to moments that are fi nite and can be matched to those de fi ned in the MS scheme. We demonstrate this fact with a numerical computation of moments through non-local matrix elements in the quenched approximation and we fi nd that these moments are in agreement with the moments obtained from direct computations of local twist-2 matrix elements in the quenched approximation.