Characteristics of the Apostle Matthew in the Bible
Matthew, also known by his original name Levi, was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ [1, 5]. His father was Alphaeus, and his home was in Capernaum [1, 5]. Before his call to discipleship, Matthew worked as a publican, or tax-gatherer, in Capernaum [5]. This role involved collecting dues and customs from individuals and goods traversing the Sea of Galilee or traveling along the major Damascus road that ran between Bethsaida, Julius, and Capernaum [1].
Jesus called Matthew from his work at the custom-house, instructing him to "Follow me" [5]. Matthew immediately responded, rising and becoming a disciple [5]. The same day he was called, Matthew hosted a "great feast" [5]. Matthew Henry suggests that Matthew may have chosen to use the name "Matthew" in his Gospel out of humility, as it was the name he was known by as a publican, rather than the more "honourable name of Levi" [9]. Some scholars believe that Christ himself may have given him the name Matthew [9]. The name Matthew means "gift of God" or "gift of Jehovah" [1, 5].
Matthew is widely recognized as the author of the Gospel that bears his name [2, 4]. This Gospel presents Jesus as the promised King of the kingdom of God [6]. While the exact date of its composition is not definitively known, it is generally believed to have been written between A.D. 60 and 65, and certainly before the destruction of Jerusalem [2]. Early Church testimony largely suggests that Matthew originally wrote his Gospel in Hebrew, though this point remains a subject of scholarly debate due to linguistic considerations within the Gospel itself [4].
The Gospel of Matthew provides significant accounts of Jesus's ministry, teachings, and miracles. For instance, it records Jesus's constant diligence in preaching the Gospel [12] and his interactions with figures like John the Baptist [10, 12]. Matthew's Gospel also details Jesus's confrontations with the scribes and Pharisees regarding human traditions [11], his teachings on what truly defiles a person [11], and his miraculous healings and feeding of multitudes [10, 11]. The Gospel includes vivid descriptions, such as the appearance of an angel at the tomb, whose "appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow" [7]. It also contains prophetic imagery, like John the Baptist's declaration that Jesus's "winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor. He will gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire" [8].
Matthew's background as a tax collector suggests he was a man of some wealth, as evidenced by the "great feast" he prepared for Jesus [1, 5]. His immediate response to Jesus's call demonstrates a significant shift in his life, leaving behind a lucrative profession to follow Christ [5]. This act of discipleship highlights a key characteristic: a willingness to abandon his former life and embrace a new path.
The apostle Matthew is distinct from Matthias, who was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot after Judas's betrayal and death [3]. Matthias was selected because he had been a constant companion of Jesus throughout his ministry and could serve as a witness to the resurrection [3]. While Matthias is said to have preached the gospel and suffered martyrdom in Ethiopia, specific details about Matthew's post-apostolic life are less certain in the biblical record [3].
Matthew's contribution as an evangelist is foundational to Christian understanding of Jesus's life and teachings. His Gospel emphasizes Jesus's fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and his role as the Messiah, the King of Israel [6]. The narrative structure and theological focus of Matthew's Gospel reflect his unique perspective as a former tax collector called to proclaim the kingdom of God [2, 6].
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Matthew — (gift of Jehovah). (A contraction, as is also Matthias, of Mattathias. His original name was Levi, and his name Matthew was probably adopted as his new apostolic name was a Jew. His father's name was Alphaeus. His home was at Capernaum His business was the collection of dues and customs from persons and goods crossing the Sea of Galilee, or passing along the great Damascus road which ran along the shore between Bethsaida, Julius and Capernaum. Christ called him from this work to he his disciple. He appears to have been a man of wealth, for he made a great fe”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Matthew, Gospel according to — The author of this book was beyond a doubt the Matthew, an apostle of our Lord, whose name it bears. He wrote the Gospel of Christ according to his own plans and aims, and from his own point of view, as did also the other "evangelists." As to the time of its composition, there is little in the Gospel itself to indicate. It was evidently written before the destruction of Jerusalem (Matt. 24), and some time after the events it records. The probability is that it was written between the years A.D. 60 and 65. The cast of thought and the for”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Matthias — (gift of God), the apostle elected to fill the place of the traitor Judas. (Acts 1:26) All beyond this that we know of him for certainty is that he had been a constant attendant upon the Lord Jesus during the whole course of his ministry; for such was declared by St. Peter to be the necessary qualification of one who was to be a witness of the resurrection. It is said that he preached the gospel and suffered martyrdom in Ethiopia.”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Matthew, Gospel Of — + Its authorship .--That this Gospel was written by the apostle Matthew there is no reason to doubt. Seventeen independent witnesses of the first four centuries attest its genuineness. + Its original language .--The testimony of the early Church is unanimous that Matthew wrote originally in the Hebrew language. On the otherhand doubt is thrown over this opinion, both statements of by an examination of the fathers and by a consideration of peculiar forms of language employed in the Gospel itself. The question is unsettled, the best scholars not agr”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Matthew — 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 far”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Gospels — The central fact of Christian preaching was the intelligence that the Saviour had come into the world (Matt. 4:23; Rom. 10:15); and the first Christian preachers who called their account of the person and mission of Christ by the term evangelion_ (= good message) were called _evangelistai (= evangelists) (Eph. 4:11; Acts 21:8). There are four historical accounts of the person and work of Christ: "the first by Matthew, announcing the Redeemer as the promised King of the kingdom of God; the second by Mark, declaring him a prophet, mighty in deed and word'; th”
- Matthew “His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. -- Matthew 28:3”
- Matthew “His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor. He will gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire.” -- Matthew 3:12”
- Matthew (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Matthew 9:9: In these verses we have an account of the grace and favour of Christ to poor publicans, particularly to Matthew. What he did to the bodies of people was to make way for a kind design upon their souls. Now observe here, I. The call of Matthew, the penman of this gospel. Mark and Luke call him Levi; it was ordinary for the same person to have two names: perhaps Matthew was the name he was most known by as a publican, and, therefore, in his humility, he called himself by that name, rather than by the more honourable name of Levi. Some think Christ gave him the name o”
- Matthew (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Matthew 14 (introduction): John the Baptist had said concerning Christ, He must increase, but I must decrease, Joh 3:30. The morning-star is here disappearing, and the Sun of righteousness rising to its meridian lustre. Here is, I. The martyrdom of John; his imprisonment for his faithfulness to Herod (Mat 14:1-5), and the beheading of him to please Herodias (Mat 14:6-12). II. The miracles of Christ. 1. His feeding five thousand men that came to him to be taught, with five loaves and two fishes (Mat 14:13-21). 2. Christ's walking on the waves to his disciples in a storm (Mat 14”
- Matthew (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Matthew 15 (introduction): In this chapter, we have our Lord Jesus, as the great Prophet teaching, as the great Physician healing, and as the great Shepherd of the sheep feeding; as the Father of spirits instructing them; as the Conqueror of Satan dispossessing him; and as concerned for the bodies of his people, providing for them. Here is, I. Christ's discourse with the scribes and Pharisees about human traditions and injunctions (Mat 15:1-9). II. His discourse with the multitude, and with his disciples, concerning the things that defile a man (Mat 15:10-20). III. His casting”
- Matthew (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Matthew 11 (introduction): In this chapter we have, I. The constant and unwearied diligence of our Lord Jesus in his great work of preaching the gospel (Mat 11:1). II. His discourse with the disciples of John concerning his being the Messiah (Mat 11:2-6). III. The honourable testimony that Christ bore to John Baptist (Mat 11:7-15). IV. The sad account he gives of that generation in general, and of some particular places with reference to the success, both of John's ministry and of his own (v. 16-24). V. His thanksgiving to his Father for the wise and gracious method he had tak”