Matthew, also known as Levi, was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ and an important figure in the New Testament of the Bible. Here is an overview of his story as depicted in the Gospels:
Background and Occupation:
Matthew was a tax collector before becoming a disciple of Jesus. In the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 9:9-13), it is recounted that Jesus saw Matthew sitting at the tax booth and called him to follow Him. Tax collectors were often despised by the Jewish community because they were seen as collaborators with the Roman authorities and were known for exploiting their fellow countrymen.
The Call of Matthew:
As mentioned above, Jesus approached Matthew while he was working at the tax booth and said, "Follow me." Matthew immediately got up and followed Jesus, leaving his former occupation behind.
Matthew's Feast:
After becoming a disciple, Matthew invited Jesus and His other disciples to his home for a meal. The Pharisees and scribes criticized Jesus for eating with tax collectors and sinners, but Jesus responded that He came to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance (Matthew 9:10-13).
Ministry with Jesus:
As one of Jesus' twelve apostles, Matthew traveled with Him during His earthly ministry, witnessing His teachings, miracles, and interactions with people. Matthew, along with the other apostles, received special instructions from Jesus and was given the authority to preach the gospel and heal the sick (Matthew 10:1-15).
The Twelve Apostles:
Matthew is consistently listed among the twelve apostles in the Gospel accounts (Matthew 10:2-4, Mark 3:16-19, Luke 6:13-16, Acts 1:13).
Writing the Gospel of Matthew:
Traditionally attributed to Matthew, the Gospel of Matthew is one of the four canonical Gospels. While the exact authorship is a subject of scholarly debate, early Christian tradition attributes the Gospel to Matthew, who is thought to have written it to a Jewish audience. The Gospel contains the teachings of Jesus, details of His life, death, and resurrection, and is the first book in the New Testament.
After Jesus' Resurrection:
Following Jesus' crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension, Matthew, like the other apostles, continued spreading the gospel message and played a significant role in the early Christian community.
Matthew's Death:
The Bible does not provide explicit details about Matthew's death. According to various early Christian traditions, he preached the gospel in Ethiopia and other regions, ultimately facing martyrdom. Some accounts suggest he was killed by either stoning or beheading for his unwavering faith in Christ.
Matthew's story illustrates the transformative power of encountering Jesus and the calling to follow Him. Despite his past as a tax collector, he became an apostle, a writer of one of the Gospels, and a faithful servant of the Lord. His life serves as a reminder that God's grace can transform anyone and that all are called to be disciples of Christ.
