Apostle; Gospel writer; tax collector turned disciple
c. AD 30 · New Testament
The tax collector at the receipt of custom whom Jesus called with two words — 'Follow me' — who left everything to become an apostle and write the first Gospel of the New Testament.
Matthew (also called Levi in Mark 2:14 and Luke 5:27) was a tax collector at Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee. As a tax collector for Rome, he was wealthy and despised by his fellow Jews. Matthew 9:9 — Jesus passed by 'and saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.' Two words; immediate response. Matthew threw a feast for Jesus at his house, inviting other tax collectors and sinners. The Pharisees criticized; Jesus answered: 'They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick... for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance' (Matthew 9:12-13). Matthew became one of the twelve apostles (Matthew 10:3). The Gospel of Matthew bears his name. Early church tradition attributes it to him. Written primarily for Jewish readers, the Gospel emphasizes Jesus as the Messiah, the fulfillment of OT prophecy. It begins with the genealogy of Christ, includes the most extensive teaching blocks (Sermon on the Mount, Olivet Discourse), and ends with the Great Commission. Tradition holds Matthew preached in Ethiopia and Parthia after Pentecost.
"Follow me"
For tax collectors and sinners
One of the Twelve
Recorded in his own Gospel
Ends his Gospel with it
Matthew's significance: (1) He wrote the first Gospel of the NT — the Bible's bridge between OT and NT. (2) His Gospel emphasizes Jesus as Messiah and fulfillment of prophecy. (3) His calling shows Christ welcomes the most despised. (4) He left lucrative work to follow Jesus immediately. (5) His Gospel preserves the Sermon on the Mount, the Great Commission.
“He arose, and followed him.”— Matthew 9:9
Matthew was a tax collector at Capernaum (also called Levi) whom Jesus called with 'Follow me' (Matthew 9:9). He left his work immediately to become one of the twelve apostles. He is traditionally identified as the author of the Gospel of Matthew.
Yes, according to consistent early Christian tradition (Papias, c. AD 130). The Gospel itself is anonymous, but unanimous early testimony attributes it to Matthew.
Tax collectors in first-century Israel were Jews working for Rome, the occupying power. They were seen as collaborators, often overcharged, and grouped with 'sinners.' Jesus' calling of Matthew was scandalous — and showed the breadth of his grace.
Written primarily for Jewish readers, emphasizing Jesus as Messiah and fulfillment of OT prophecy. Contains the most extensive teaching blocks — Sermon on the Mount, Parables of the Kingdom, Olivet Discourse — and ends with the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20).