Matthew
maleNew TestamentMeaning: “Gift of the LORD”
A tax collector whom Jesus called from his booth to follow Him; one of the twelve apostles and, by tradition, the author of the first Gospel.
Biography
Matthew, also called Levi, was a Jewish tax collector — a despised profession, working for Rome — whom Jesus called to be one of the twelve apostles. By long tradition he is the author of the Gospel that bears his name, the first book of the New Testament.
"Follow me"
Jesus saw Matthew "sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him" (Matthew 9:9). Matthew then held a feast for Jesus with many tax collectors and "sinners," drawing the Pharisees' criticism — to which Jesus answered, "I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance" (Matthew 9:13).
Apostle and evangelist
Matthew is listed among the Twelve (Matthew 10:3; Acts 1:13). His Gospel, written especially for a Jewish audience, is filled with Old Testament fulfillment quotations, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah and King — the long-awaited "son of David, the son of Abraham" (Matthew 1:1).
Life Timeline
Called by Jesus from the tax booth to follow Him
Themes & lessons from Matthew
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Matthew appears.
People they appear with
Scripture Appearances
5 verses in 4 booksMatthew2 verses
Matthew 9:9
And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
Matthew 10:3
Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
Mark1 verse
Mark 3:18
And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite,
Luke1 verse
Luke 6:15
Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes,
Acts1 verse
Acts 1:13
And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.
Frequently asked about Matthew
Who was Matthew in the Bible?
A tax collector whom Jesus called from his booth to follow Him; one of the twelve apostles and, by tradition, the author of the first Gospel.
What does the name Matthew mean?
The name Matthew means “Gift of the LORD”.
What did Matthew do in the Bible?
Matthew served as apostle, tax collector.
Where does Matthew appear in the Bible?
Matthew is mentioned 5 times across 4 books: Matthew, Mark, Luke, Acts.
What can we learn from Matthew?
The story of Matthew touches on themes of matthew, apostles, thomas, philip — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Matthew's life.
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