Who was Matthew in the New Testament?

Matthew is one of the most intriguing and transformative figures in the New Testament. Known also as Levi, he moved from the despised profession of tax collecting into the honored role of apostle and inspired writer of the first Gospel. His story reveals the power of Christ’s grace to redeem, restore, and commission even the most unlikely candidates for ministry. Understanding Matthew’s life helps believers grasp the depth of God’s mercy and the radical nature of discipleship.

Matthew’s Background and Early Life

Matthew was a Jew living under Roman occupation, a period when the Jewish people were heavily burdened by foreign rule and oppressive taxation. Matthew himself tells us little about his early life, but the Gospels provide key information. He was the son of Alphaeus (Mark 2:14) and lived in Capernaum, a bustling fishing village along the Sea of Galilee. This town became a central location for Jesus’ ministry, and Matthew likely heard of Jesus’ teachings even before his calling.

Matthew worked as a tax collector, a profession that made him wealthy yet socially despised. Tax collectors, known as publicans, were contracted by Rome to collect taxes from the Jewish population. Many abused this position by charging more than required and keeping the excess for themselves. Because of this, they were viewed as traitors and sinners by their own people (Luke 5:30; Matthew 9:11). They were classified alongside robbers and prostitutes (Matthew 21:31-32). Yet Matthew’s profession also meant he was educated, literate, skilled in record-keeping, and familiar with multiple languages-abilities that later contributed to his writing the Gospel.

Matthew’s Calling

The turning point of Matthew’s life came when Jesus called him personally. Matthew’s account is both simple and profound:

Matthew 9:9 says, “As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, ‘Follow Me.’ So he arose and followed Him.”

This brief description reveals several truths. First, Matthew was surprised by Jesus’ invitation, which was an act of grace. Jewish rabbis did not call tax collectors to be disciples, yet Jesus did. Second, Matthew responded immediately. With no recorded hesitation, he left his income, career, reputation, and comfort to follow Christ. This reveals a heart deeply moved by Jesus’ love and authority.

Luke records that Matthew “left all” (Luke 5:28). He understood that repentance involved not simply leaving sin, but also surrendering everything to Christ. This made Matthew’s calling a powerful picture of conversion-turning from the world to the Savior.

Matthew’s Feast and Witness

After answering Jesus’ call, Matthew held a great feast in his house to honor the Lord (Luke 5:29). He invited other tax collectors and sinners, people rejected by society yet deeply in need of grace. This revealed Matthew’s missionary heart from the very beginning. He wanted his friends to experience the same mercy he had received.

The Pharisees criticized Jesus for eating with sinners, but Christ answered, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick… For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Matthew 9:12-13). Matthew’s banquet became a living parable of Christ’s mission. Matthew did not hide his past; instead, he used his influence to bring others to Jesus. This models the kind of evangelistic work God wants from every forgiven sinner.

Matthew Among the Twelve Apostles

Matthew was chosen by Jesus to be one of the twelve apostles (Matthew 10:2-4). As an apostle, he was a foundational witness of Christ’s teachings, miracles, death, and resurrection. Matthew’s unique background as a former publican brought diversity to the apostolic group. While others such as Peter, John, and Andrew were fishermen, Matthew understood government systems, taxation, trade, and business operations. This diversity helped the disciples reach different segments of society.

Matthew traveled with Jesus throughout Galilee and Judea, observed firsthand His compassion and authority, and eventually received His commission to preach the Gospel to all nations (Matthew 28:19-20). Though Matthew rarely appears individually in later Gospel narratives, Scripture portrays him as a faithful, humble servant of Christ. His silence reflects his desire to focus attention on Jesus rather than himself.

The Gospel According to Matthew

Matthew’s most enduring legacy is his Gospel-the first book in the New Testament. Early Christian writers unanimously attribute the Gospel to him. As a trained record-keeper, Matthew was well-equipped to compile an orderly and detailed account of Jesus’ life.

Matthew wrote his Gospel especially for a Jewish audience. This is evident in several ways:

He emphasizes Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. More than 60 times Matthew refers to prophecies being fulfilled.

He presents Jesus as the promised Messiah, the King of Israel. This is why his Gospel begins with the genealogy of Jesus, tracing His lineage through David and Abraham (Matthew 1:1-17).

He highlights Jesus’ teachings about the kingdom of heaven. Matthew uniquely records long discourses such as the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), the parables of the kingdom (Matthew 13), and Jesus’ final teachings (Matthew 24-25).

He uses Jewish expressions, customs, and references understood by his audience, such as “the holy city,” “the abomination of desolation,” and “the house of Israel.”

Matthew’s Gospel presents Jesus as the divine King who came to save His people. It shows that the Messiah was rejected by many yet accepted by those who believed. It reveals Christ as the fulfillment of the entire Hebrew Scriptures. Matthew’s careful documentation preserves the teachings of Christ with remarkable clarity and structure.

Matthew’s Ministry After the Resurrection

The book of Acts mentions Matthew as present with the apostles in the upper room after Jesus’ ascension (Acts 1:12-14). Early Christian tradition holds that Matthew preached the Gospel in several regions, including Judea, Persia, and Ethiopia. While these accounts cannot all be verified, they consistently portray Matthew as a missionary who remained faithful until death.

Some traditions say that Matthew suffered martyrdom for his faith, while others say he died peacefully after many years of ministry. Regardless of the exact details, Matthew’s life demonstrates unwavering devotion to the Gospel he proclaimed.

Themes Reflected in Matthew’s Life

Matthew’s life highlights several timeless spiritual lessons.

Redemption is available to the worst of sinners. Matthew was despised, corrupt, and spiritually bankrupt-yet Christ called him. This shows that no one is too far gone for Jesus to redeem.

Following Jesus requires total surrender. Matthew left everything immediately to follow Christ. He counted the cost and chose the greater treasure (Matthew 6:19-21).

True disciples use their influence to bring others to Jesus. Matthew’s feast gathered people that society rejected. He used his home, resources, and relationships for God’s glory.

God equips those He calls. Matthew went from publican to apostle and Gospel writer. Christ transformed his skills and experiences into tools for ministry.

Only Christ is worthy of honor. Unlike other ancient writers, Matthew placed the spotlight entirely on Jesus, not himself.

Conclusion

Matthew’s transformation from a despised tax collector to a devoted apostle showcases the profound impact of Christ’s grace and the possibilities of redemption. His immediate and unwavering response to Jesus’ call exemplifies the essence of true discipleship, emphasizing the necessity of total surrender to God.

Through his Gospel, Matthew offers a unique and structured account of Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the promised Messiah. His life and ministry remind us that no one is beyond the reach of God’s mercy, and every believer is encouraged to use their influence to lead others to Christ.