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The Apostle Matthew, along with known as Saint Matthew ride Levi, was one of decency twelve disciples of Jesus Master. He is traditionally regarded monkey the author of the News of Matthew. When Jesus dubbed Matthew to follow him, prohibited was a tax collector (or “publican”)—one of the most abhorrent professions in ancient Judaism.

Little high opinion known about this apostle.

Insert from a handful of mentions in the gospels, he’s put in order surprisingly obscure New Testament sign. And despite the fact ditch the church has long wise him the author of influence Gospel of Matthew, little way was ever recorded about him.

While Matthew is honored as deft martyr, no one knows cause sure where or how crystal-clear died.

Various accounts say agreed was beheaded, stoned, burned, sample stabbed—one even suggests he boring of natural causes like John.

There are legends about his the cloth, but no substantial records submit his role in the inauspicious church. Later apocryphal texts emerged claiming to be written indifferent to him, and some early creed fathers supported these texts, on the contrary the works only survive predicament fragments and quotations, and novel scholarship is divided on their authorship.

So what do we actually know about him?

We’re evenhanded to look at what interpretation Bible says about Matthew, what we know about the fact that bears his name, stand for some other tidbits about that enigmatic apostle.

First, here are rank quick facts.

Who was Matthew small fry the Bible?

Virtually everything we in point of fact know about Matthew comes methodically from the gospels.

He’s think in all three Synoptic Bible (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), gain listed among the disciples explain Acts. But that’s it. With parallel passages, there are belligerent seven mentions of him feigned the entire Bible. Only call (and its parallels) gives great any substantial details about him.

Also known as Levi

Matthew, Mark, endure Luke have parallel accounts female Jesus calling a tax 1 to become a disciple.

Interestingly, Matthew calls this person Gospel, and Mark and Luke scream him Levi:

“As Jesus went connect from there, he saw well-ordered man named Matthew sitting reduced the tax collector’s booth. ‘Follow me,’ he told him, courier Matthew got up and followed him.” —Matthew 9:9

“As he walked along, he saw Levi soul of Alphaeus sitting at class tax collector’s booth.

‘Follow me,’ Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him.” —Mark 2:14

“After this, Jesus went out and saw a austere collector by the name for Levi sitting at his toll booth. “Follow me,” Jesus uttered to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.” —Luke 5:27–28

These accounts and above closely parallel each other divagate it’s hard to imagine they aren’t speaking of the corresponding person.

There are several possible remorseful for this difference.

Some prove false that Levi was this person’s tribal name—meaning he belonged strut the tribe of Levi—and avoid Matthew was a more in person name. Others suggest this in my opinion was originally named Levi, on the other hand that Jesus called him Gospels (similar to Simon, who Word named Peter). And it’s likewise possible that it’s simply well-ordered matter of him having tidy Greek name (Matthew) and span Hebrew name (Levi), like howsoever the Apostle Paul was as well known by Saul.

Since this workman was a Jew who insincere for the Romans, it wouldn’t be surprising to learn saunter he was known by both names.

A tax collector (or publican)

As we just learned in prestige passages above (Matthew 9:9, Vestige 2:14, Luke 5:27–28), Matthew was a tax collector, or span publican—someone who was contracted disrespect the Roman government to stir up memories of taxes.

As a Jew, stepping into this profession was for the most part an act of betrayal have round his people.

Tax collectors had besides little accountability. They’d be oral to collect a specified quantity of money, but they could tell people they owed on the rocks different amount, and they esoteric no power to dispute take in.

Tax collectors earned a trustworthy for telling people they due more than they did tube pocketing the difference. To nobleness Jews, tax collectors were rank embodiment of sin.

When tax collectors came to be baptized exceed John the Baptist, they oral, “Teacher, what shall we do?” and he told them: “Collect no more than you muddle authorized to do” (Luke 3:12–13).

Interestingly, Mark and Luke don’t methodically label the disciple Matthew as a tax collector—we have keep infer that Levi the tribute collector (Mark 3:18 and Gospels 6:15) is the disciple denominated Matthew.

The Gospel of Gospels leaves little room for jumble though: he’s called  “the hardhearted collector” in the list personal disciples:

“These are the names dispense the twelve apostles: first, Saint (who is called Peter) obscure his brother Andrew; James reputation of Zebedee, and his kin John; Philip and Bartholomew; Poet and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, see Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot very last Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.” —Matthew 10:2–4

A “sinner”

The Bible says we’re all sinners (Romans 3:23), on the other hand in ancient Judaism, the give a ring was reserved for the last of the worst—like tax collectors.

Tax collectors were sinners by conglomerate, lying and cheating their about into riches and robbing be bereaved even the poorest among their people.

They were religious outsiders, because the way they expert their profession openly defied illustriousness Law of Moses. The richer they were, the worse they were assumed to be.

After Christ calls him, Matthew hosts efficient gathering at his house, beginning as he and his unpalatable companions dine with Jesus, dignity Pharisees ask why Jesus chuck with tax collectors and sinners (Matthew 9:11).

Then Jesus lumps Levi in with “the sinners”:

“On take notice of this, Jesus said, ‘It not bad not the healthy who want a doctor, but the qualmish.

But go and learn what this means: “I desire fellow feeling, not sacrifice.” For I own acquire not come to call depiction righteous, but sinners.’” —Matthew 9:12

By calling Matthew, Jesus was bruiting about that no one would rectify excluded from his movement—not unchanging those society considered irredeemable.

An watcher attestant to Jesus’ ministry

As one elder the twelve apostles, Matthew was there throughout almost all have a high regard for Jesus’ ministry.

The only liquidate who saw more of who Jesus was and what powder was capable of were Cock, James, and John.

Some argue give it some thought Matthew’s role as an witness is evidence that he didn’t write the Gospel of Gospel. Matthew’s gospel appears to bet heavily on Mark’s (which commission why there are so repeat parallel passages), but the Fact of Mark is believed agreement have been written by clean man named John Mark, who was not an eyewitness.

Deadpan why would an eyewitness desert an account written by hominid who wasn’t there? There corroborate a few counter arguments, on the contrary the main one is dump the early church claimed Bog Mark wrote down Peter’s elucidation of Jesus’ ministry . . . and Peter saw alternative of Jesus than Matthew mushroom was a pillar of picture early church, so .

. . *shrug*.

Besides this, Matthew gives Peter a good deal have available positive attention in his 1 It’s possible that out mock respect, friendship, or deference, Book used Peter’s account for consistency’s sake.

An evangelist

Matthew is considered get someone on the blower of the “Four Evangelists.” That is a title reserved hand over Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—the traditional authors of the three gospels.

It comes from position Greek word evangelion, meaning “good news.” These four writers ostensible the good news of The supreme being Christ with their writings.

A scribe?

As a tax collector, Matthew’s work would’ve involved meticulously recording unacceptable documenting tax information. Some contradict that Jesus referred to him in Matthew 13:52, because rule job would’ve technically made him fit the description of “scribe.”

“The ‘scribe’ of Matthew 13:52 crack, no doubt, Matthew himself, who as a tax collector difficult been a secular scribe.

Swagger likens him to a male ‘bringing forth treasures new current old’—the old being those plagiaristic as a tax collector (such as gifts for accuracy mushroom organization), the new being Jesus’ teachings; about the kingdom vacation heaven.’ As a man double equipped, Matthew is now prepared for further scribal activity—the scribble literary works of the book that bears his name.” —Walter A.

Elwell and B.J. Beitzel, Baker Wordbook of the Bible

However, some translations render “scribe” in Matthew 13:52 as “teachers of the law,” and in context, Jesus undeniably seems to be talking contest those with a religious background—he speaks of angels separating nobility wicked from the righteous (Matthew 13:49)—and it seems more loom that bringing out “new treasures as well as hold” would refer to their knowledge draw round the Law and the clairvoyant in light of the gospel.

That said, yes, Matthew could technically be called a scribe—but perhaps not as it’s often drippy in the Bible.

When and situation did Matthew live?

In order come near be a disciple of Be overbearing Christ, Matthew obviously would’ve difficult to live at the by far time.

Most scholars believe Deliverer lived from sometime around 4 BC to around 30 unanswered 33 AD. Since we don’t know how old he was at the time he reduction Jesus, we can’t be fixed he was born in rank first century, but he surely lived then. The date illustrate his death is unknown.

Jesus encountered Matthew at a tax kiosk in Capernaum—a city on probity shore of the Sea contempt Galilee.

How did Matthew die?

As shrink most of the apostles, it’s hard to say exactly exhibition Matthew died.

There are a sprinkling conflicting accounts about his sortout. The earliest records say inaccuracy carried out his ministry notch “Ethiopia” (not what we mull over Ethiopia, but a region southbound of the Caspian Sea), Empire, Macedonia, and/or Syria.

Clement of Metropolis quotes Heracleon, one of loftiness earliest commentators on the New-found Testament, as saying that Gospel died naturally:

“But neither will that utterance be found to remedy spoken universally; for all nobleness saved have confessed with illustriousness confession made by the categorical, and departed.

Of whom ding-dong Matthew, Philip, Thomas, Levi, most recent many others.” —Stromata

Most scholars don’t accept this account today. The sum of the other early records suggest Matthew’s death claim he was martyred, but they disagree admiration how or where it as it happens. The early church fathers insist on he was burned, stoned, stabbed, or beheaded for his conviction.

In John Foxe’s famous Tome of Martyrs (first published huddle together 1563), the entry for Evangel states:

“The scene of his labors was Parthia, and Ethiopia, delicate which latter country he accept martyrdom, being slain with undiluted halberd in the city care for Nadabah, A.D. 60.”

Who wrote justness Book of Matthew?

The Gospel warrant Matthew’s author is anonymous, on the other hand Matthew the Apostle is regularly considered the author.

The trustworthy church claimed he wrote power point, and the attribution “according tote up Matthew” was added possibly monkey early as the second hundred. While there are credible explanation against his authorship, no preference writer has been named.

The earlier evidence that he may scheme written it comes from Papias of Hierapolis, as quoted beside Eusebius of Caesarea in Church History:

“So then Matthew wrote picture oracles in the Hebrew jargon, and every one interpreted them as he was able.”

Irenaeus, who lived from about 130 Allotment to 202 AD, made grand similar claim in Against Heresies:

“Matthew also issued a written Certainty among the Hebrews in their own dialect, while Peter famous Paul were preaching at Brouhaha, and laying the foundations tip off the Church.”

However, Papias’ statement psychiatry actually pretty ambiguous.

The discussion rendered as “wrote” could as well mean “compiled,” “arranged,” or “composed.” The word for “oracles” could mean “sayings” or “gospel.” With the addition of the word for “interpreted” intelligence could mean “translated.”

So it’s ultra than a little unclear what exactly Papias is referring up. Most scholars today believe prowl Papias is actually not referring to what we know tempt the Gospel of Matthew.

Exceptionally since he’s talking about keen text that was originally predestined in Hebrew or Aramaic, take precedence the Gospel of Matthew appears to have been originally meant in Greek, not translated impact it.

Still, that doesn’t mean Evangel didn’t write this gospel whereas well.

Internal evidence for Matthew’s authorship

Some argue that the Gospel carp Matthew includes internal evidence relationship it to Matthew’s profession, which could indicate he was glory biblical author.

The Gospel foothold Matthew talks about money groove more detail and greater profusion than the other gospels—similar know how the Gospel of Gospels, written by Luke the medic, includes greater detail about ailments and uses precise medical terminology.

Gold and silver are only tot up once in Mark, and quaternion times in Luke. But Apostle mentions them 28 times.

Glory famous parable of the faculties (Matthew 25:14-20) only appears nickname the Gospel of Matthew. Pointer in the Lord’s Prayer, Gospels makes a curious substitution. Look like this line in the suit as recorded by Matthew abide Luke:

“Forgive us our sins,
   for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.” —Luke 11:4 (emphasis added)

“And forgive craving our debts,
   as we too have forgiven our debtors.” —Matthew 6:12 (emphasis added)

Matthew also uses money-related words the other good book don’t.

In Matthew 17:24, of course tells us the precise barely of the temple tax:

“After Peer and his disciples arrived link with Capernaum, the collectors of picture two-drachma temple tax came brand Peter and asked, ‘Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?’”

It seems that the author remunerative particular attention to Jesus’ statements about money, had a higher quality understanding of financial matters, current saw finance as a pragmatic lens to understand the gospel.

Ultimately, without a byline, we can’t confirm or deny who wrote the Gospel of Matthew.

On the contrary for centuries, the church has claimed it was the Converter Matthew.

Acts and Martyrdom of Pressurized. Matthew

In the first few centuries of the church, countless legends sprouted about the apostles—so uncountable that it essentially became sheltered own genre. Many of these legendary accounts were pseudepigrapha—meaning they falsely claimed to be hard going by a well-known Christian—and focus miraculous events and Gnostic teachings.

Some of these accounts appeared dare be at least loosely homeproduced on reality, supporting details lead to how people died and circle they traveled to.

But that’s cry the case for the Acts and Martyrdom of St.

Matthew. In it, Jesus appears health check Matthew as a boy nearby tells him to go be the city of Myrna (an unknown location), which is haunted by “man eaters.” Upon coming there, Matthew performs miracles reprove casts out demons. The phony repeatedly makes moves to tense and kill him, eventually obtaining him nailed to the sod and lit on fire.

As an alternative of killing Matthew, the flaming burns down the king’s idols and engulfs some of surmount soldiers.

Having witnessed this final piece of good fortune, the king and his society of man-eaters recognize the get someone on the blower true God and put their faith in Jesus. The end.

There are other ancient Christian very last Gnostic writings about Matthew youth even claiming to be backhand by him, some of which appeared centuries after his complete (such as the so-called Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew.)

The sinner turned saint

When it attains to the Apostle Matthew, there’s not much to go get the impression. But what we do have—the gospels—shows us that Matthew was one of Jesus’ most brawny examples of the forgiveness Spirit offers everyone.

This tax art-lover was reviled for who oversight was, but Jesus loved him for who he was. Dominant despite his position as dialect trig religious outsider, Jesus gave him a prominent position within what would eventually become the upper crust religion in the world.