Matthew
Israelite / Jew Jewish, of Capernaum · Life of Christ · New Testament
- Also called
- Levi
- Name means
- 'gift of the LORD'
- Role
- Tax collector (publican) who became an apostle
- When
- c. AD 28-30s
What they did
Sitting at the receipt of custom, he left all to follow Jesus when called and made a great feast in his house for Jesus with many publicans and sinners.
Why it matters: the purpose of their role
His call shows that Jesus came to call sinners to repentance; he is traditionally recognised as the writer of the Gospel of Matthew.
But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Matthew 9:13 (KJV)
Bible references
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 9:9 (KJV)
But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Matthew 9:13 (KJV)
And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphæus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him. Mark 2:14 (KJV)
And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me. And he left all, rose up, and followed him. And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them. Luke 5:27-29 (KJV)
Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Matthew 10:3 (KJV)
Family
- Father
- Alphaeus (Mark 2:14)