Matthew was one of the original Twelve Apostles (1) of Jesus Christ (2) and is traditionally identified as the author of the Gospel of Matthew (3). In the Gospels of Mark (4) and Luke (5) where Matthew is called by Christ to follow Him (6), he is initially referred to as "Levi." He is not mentioned in the Gospel of John (7).

Mentioned in most New Testament (8) translations about a half-dozen times, only the Gospel of Mark refers to Matthew as the "son of Alphaeus" (Mark 2:13-17).

The Calling of Levi is recorded in Matthew 9:9-13, Mark 2:13-15 and Luke 5:27-29. All three accounts have Levi/Matthew sitting in a tax collector's booth, indicating he is working for the Roman occupation to collect taxes from his own people. This would have alienated him from within his own culture. But then Jesus shows up on the scene, sees Levi and says, "Follow me." All three Gospel accounts record an immediate response from Matthew, in that he "got up and followed Him," leaving everything behind.

The above account also includes a reference to Matthew inviting Jesus to a dinner party at his house. As if Jesus calling a sinful tax collector to follow Him wasn't scandalous enough for the Pharisees (9), eating with a group of tax collectors and other sinners must have sent the religious leaders of the day into a frenzy. Jesus told the Pharisees, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Here, Jesus was giving the spiritually blind religious scholars a Scriptural lesson as He referenced Hosea 6:6, an Old Testament (10) passage they were assuredly familiar with.

The synoptic Gospels of Matthew (Matthew 10:1-4), Mark (Mark 3:13-19) and Luke (Luke 6:12-16) record Matthew as one of the Twelve Apostles being named/commissioned/sent out.

Acts 1:12-26 records Matthew and the other Apostles returning to Jerusalem after witnessing the Ascension of Jesus into Heaven. By the power of the Holy Spirit (11), they selected Matthias to replace Judas Iscariot (12).

Matthew is a tremendous Christ-like example for us to emulate. Abandoning the temporary riches and securities of this world, he chose to follow Christ, thereby receiving Heavenly blessings and eternal treasures (Matthew 6:19-21).

For resources galore, explore the Footnotes below! For a printer friendly version of this page, click on the PDF offered in the sidebar. Modifications are welcome at goodnews@downriverdisciples.com.

FOOTNOTES

  (1) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/twelve-apostles

  (2) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/jesus-christ

  (3) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/matthew

  (4) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/mark

  (5) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/luke

  (6) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/discipleship

  (7) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/john

  (8) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/new-testament

  (9) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/sanhedrin

(10) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/old-testament

(11) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/the-holy-spirit

(12) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/apostle-judas-iscariot