Matthew's Name Change From Levi to Matthew

Matthew, one of the twelve apostles, was originally known by the name Levi ^{[1, 2]}. This change in name is noted in the Gospels, with Mark and Luke referring to him as Levi when recounting his call by Jesus, while Matthew's own Gospel uses the name Matthew ^{[1, 9, 10]}. The name Matthew means "gift of God" or "gift of Jehovah," a common Jewish name after the Exile ^{[1, 2, 3]}. The name Levi, on the other hand, means "adhesion" and is associated with the third son of Jacob by Leah, whose name was given with the hope that her husband would be "joined" to her ^[4].

Matthew, son of Alphaeus, worked as a publican or tax-gatherer in Capernaum ^{[1, 2]}. His profession involved collecting dues and customs from people and goods crossing the Sea of Galilee or traveling along the Damascus road ^[2]. This occupation often made tax collectors unpopular among their Jewish peers, as they were seen as collaborating with the Roman authorities and were sometimes associated with dishonesty ^{[12, 13]}.

The Synoptic Gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke—all record Jesus's call of Matthew/Levi. Matthew 9:9 states, "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" ^[1]. Mark 2:14 and Luke 5:27 recount the same event, but identify the man as Levi, the son of Alphaeus ^{[1, 4]}. The consistency across these accounts, despite the name difference, indicates they refer to the same individual ^[11].

The reason for the name change from Levi to Matthew is a subject of scholarly discussion. One view suggests that Matthew might have had two names, a common practice at the time ^[9]. Another perspective is that Jesus might have given him the new name upon his call, possibly as a reflection of his new identity as an apostle ^{[9, 10]}. Easton's Bible Dictionary suggests the change might have been "in grateful memory of his call" ^[1]. Similarly, Smith's Bible Dictionary posits that Matthew was "probably adopted as his new apostolic name" ^[2]. Matthew Henry, a Nonconformist commentator, suggests that Matthew might have used the name Matthew in his own Gospel out of humility, as it was the name he was most known by as a publican, rather than the "more honourable name of Levi" ^[10].

Following his call, Matthew hosted a "great feast" at his house, where Jesus and his disciples dined with many tax collectors and other "sinners" ^{[1, 13]}. This event highlighted Jesus's mission to save sinners and challenged the social barriers of the time ^{[9, 13]}. The diversity of Jesus's apostles, including Matthew the tax collector and Simon the Zealot, is striking, demonstrating Jesus's ability to unite individuals from vastly different backgrounds ^[12].

The name Matthew (or Mattathias) appears in other biblical contexts as well. For instance, Matthat, meaning "gift of God," is found in the genealogy of Christ in Luke ^{[5, 6]}. Matthias, another variant, is the name of the apostle chosen to replace Judas Iscariot ^[7]. The name Mattithiah, a Levite, also appears in the Old Testament ^[8]. These linguistic connections underscore the commonality and significance of names related to "gift of God" within Jewish tradition.

Sources

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”
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”
Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Matthew — given; a reward”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Levi — Adhesion. (1.) The third son of Jacob by Leah. The origin of the name is found in Leah's words (Gen. 29:34), "This time will my husband be joined [Heb. yillaveh] unto me." He is mentioned as taking a prominent part in avenging his sister Dinah (Gen. 34:25-31). He and his three sons went down with Jacob (46:11) into Egypt, where he died at the age of one hundred and thirty-seven years (Ex. 6:16). (2.) The father of Matthat, and son of Simeon, of the ancestors of Christ (Luke 3:29). (3.) Luke 3:24. (4.) One of the apostles, the son of Alphaeus (Mark 2:14; Luke 5”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Matthat — (gift of God), a form of the name Matthan. + son of Levi, in the genealogy of Christ. (Luke 3:20) (B.C. after 623.) + Grandfather of the Virgin Mary. (Luke 3:21)”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Matthat — Gift of God. (1.) The son of Levi, and father of Heli (Luke 3:24). (2.) Son of another Levi (Luke 3:29).”
STEPBible TIPNR “Biblical proper name: [email protected]=G3159 — Man living at the time of the New Testament (refs: #A man living at the time of the New Testament, first mentioned at Act.1.23; <br>only referred to as)”
STEPBible TIPNR “Biblical proper name: [email protected]=H4993G — Levite living at the time of Exile and Return (refs: #A man from the tribe of Levi living at the time of Exile and Return, only mentioned at 1Ch.9.31; <)”
Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 9:9: 9:9-13 Jesus, as Lord and Messiah, tore down the barriers that prevented righteous Jews from intermingling with those who were unclean or sinful. 9:9 Matthew was also called Levi (Mark 2:14). Matthew might have had two names, or he might have been given a new name by Jesus.”
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”
Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 6: Augustine — Homilies on the Gospels — CHAP. XXVI.--OF THE CALLING OF MATTHEW, AND OF THE QUESTION WHETHER MATTHEW'S OWN ACCOUNT IS IN HARMONY WITH THOSE OF MARK AND LUKE WHEN THEY SPEAK OF LEVI THE SON OF ALPHAEUS.: 59. Matthew next continues his narrative in the following terms:--" 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."(11) Mark gives this story also, and keeps the same order, bringing it in after the notice of the healing of the man who was sick of the ”
Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 6:15: 6:15 The diversity of Jesus’ apostles is striking. • Matthew, also called Levi, was the tax collector for the Romans (see 5:27; Matt 9:9; 10:3). • Simon (who was called the zealot): Zealot probably meant that he had joined the Zealot movement, a group of Jews actively seeking to overthrow the Roman government.”
Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 5:27: 5:27-32 The call of Levi led to Jesus’ second conflict with the religious leaders, and it introduced the idea that Jesus had come to save sinners. 5:27 tax collector: See study note on 3:12. • Levi’s tax collector’s booth was probably a toll booth for goods in transit. • Levi was also called Matthew (Matt 9:9; see “Matthew (Levi)” Profile).”

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