Matthew

Matthew, also known as Levi, was a tax collector who became one of Jesus' twelve apostles and authored the Gospel of Matthew.

The name Matthew means “given; a reward”

MaleApostleNew Testament eraNew Testament4 books9 verses

Summary

An apostle living at the time of the New Testament, first mentioned at Matthew 9:9; referred to as Matthew (Ματθαῖος) or Levi (Λευΐ); a son of Alphaeus and possibly Mary; possibly brother of James and Joses.

Profile

Matthew worked as a tax collector for the Romans and later became one of the twelve 12 closest followers of Jesus. These followers are called apostles. Early tradition says Matthew wrote the Gospel of Matthew.

He is called Matthew in all the lists of the apostles (Matt 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13). But, in two accounts of his calling, he is called Levi, his other name (Mark 2:14–15; Luke 5:27–29; compare Matthew 9:9–10). His father was Alphaeus (Mark 2:14). We do not know if he is the brother of James, the son of Alphaeus, since they are not said to be brothers in the lists of the apostles (as the other pairs of brothers are).

Jews who collected taxes for the Romans were often seen as sinners by other Jews. They made money by working for the occupying forces and practiced legal extortion. It is important that Jesus chose a tax collector to be one of his followers. When the Pharisees criticized Jesus for accepting Matthew's dinner invitation and eating with tax collectors and other sinners, Jesus used the moment to teach about compassion. He stressed that he came for sinners, not for those who saw themselves as righteous (Matthew 9:9–13; Mark 2:14–17; Luke 5:27–32). Matthew responded immediately to the call from Jesus to follow him, leaving everything behind (Luke 5:28). This suggests he never returned to tax collecting or his old life.

Matthew's Gospel was written for Jews and offers a Jewish view of the life and teachings of Jesus. It includes topics important to those with a Jewish background. This Gospel was very popular in the early church, which is likely why it appears first in the New Testament.

Passages for Further Study

Matthew 9:9–10; 10:3; Mark 2:14–15; 3:18; Luke 5:27–29; 6:15; Acts 1:13

Events

Dates are approximate

Glossary entries

Matthew (Person) Levi (Person)

Family members

Father: Alphaeus
Mother: Mary
Siblings: James Joses

Alternative names

ΛευΐLevimeans “associated with him”
ΛευΐLevimeans “associated with him”
ΜατθαῖοςMatthew

Mentions

Includes 1 verse that refer to Matthew without naming them, as “he”, “she”, or the subject of a verb.

Matthew 9:9Ματθαῖος · Matthew
As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax booth. “Follow Me,” He told him, and Matthew got up and followed Him.
Matthew 10:3Ματθαῖος · Matthew
Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;
Mark 2:14Λευΐ · Levi; Λευΐ · Levi
As He was walking along, He saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth. “Follow Me,” He told him, and Levi got up and followed Him.
Mark 2:15Referred to, not named
While Jesus was dining at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with Him and His disciples—for there were many who followed Him.
Mark 3:18Ματθαῖος · Matthew
Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot,
Luke 5:27Λευΐ · Levi; Λευΐ · Levi
After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the tax booth. “Follow Me,” He told him,
Luke 5:29Λευΐ · Levi; Λευΐ · Levi
Then Levi hosted a great banquet for Jesus at his house. A large crowd of tax collectors was there, along with others who were eating with them.
Luke 6:15Ματθαῖος · Matthew
Matthew and Thomas; James son of Alphaeus and Simon called the Zealot;
Acts 1:13Ματθαῖος · Matthew
When they arrived, they went to the upper room where they were staying: Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.