Apostle, tax collector, author of the Gospel of Matthew.
Matthew
Named in 8 verses across 4 books, first in Matthew 9:9.
ΜατθαῖοςMatthew
ΛευΐLevi
Also called Levi.
The name means “given; a reward.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869
About Matthew Written by AI
Matthew, also known as Levi, was a tax collector in Capernaum before being called by Jesus to become one of His twelve apostles. As a tax collector, Matthew would have been considered a sinner and an outcast by the Jewish community. However, Jesus saw beyond his profession and called him to follow Him (Matthew 9:9; Mark 2:14; Luke 5:27). Matthew responded immediately, leaving his tax booth and hosting a great feast for Jesus in his home, inviting other tax collectors and sinners (Luke 5:29). As an apostle, Matthew witnessed Jesus' ministry, death, and resurrection. He is also traditionally attributed as the author of the Gospel of Matthew, which emphasizes Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the long-awaited Messiah (Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13).
Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.
Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897
Gift of God, a common Jewish name after the Exile. He was the son of Alphaeus, and was a publican or tax-gatherer at Capernaum. On one occasion Jesus, coming up from the side of the lake, passed the custom-house where Matthew was seated, and said to him, “Follow me.” Matthew arose and followed him, and became his disciple (Matt. 9:9). Formerly the name by which he was known was Levi (Mark 2:14; Luke 5:27); he now changed it, possibly in grateful memory of his call, to Matthew. The same day on which Jesus called him he made a “great feast” (Luke 5:29), a farewell feast, to which he invited Jesus and his disciples, and probably also many of old associates. He was afterwards selected as one of the twelve (6:15). His name does not occur again in the Gospel history except in the lists of the apostles. The last notice of him is in Acts 1:13. The time and manner of his death are unknown.
M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.
Where the Bible names him
- Matthew 9:9
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 10:3
Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;
- Mark 2:14
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 3:18
Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot,
- Luke 5:27
After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the tax booth. “Follow Me,” He told him,
- Luke 5:29
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 6:15
Matthew and Thomas; James son of Alphaeus and Simon called the Zealot;
- Acts 1:13
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.
From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.