Life of matthew the apostle

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While contemporary historians reject its historical veracity, the cult of St. Matthew in Salerno is a fascinating example of how relics shaped local identities and religious devotion throughout the Middle Ages.

Additionally, the style and vocabulary indicate that the author was a highly literate Greek-speaking Christian with a deep understanding of Jewish scripture in its Greek form (the Septuagint). 

This is difficult to reconcile with what we know (or rather, what little we know) about Matthew in the Bible. 

He was a telōnēs, a tax collector likely tasked with door-to-door revenue collection or toll booth duties in Roman Galilee.

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Both the Marcann and the Lucan Gospels distinguish between Levi, a toll collector whom Jesus calls to be a disciple (Mark 2:14; Luke 5:27), and Matthew, who appears in the lists of the Twelve, who has no description after his name, and about whom nothing else is known (Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15).

He authored the first Gospel, emphasizing Christ as the Messiah. Interestingly, the Gospel of Mark (2:14) and the Gospel of Luke (5:27-29) narrate the same calling story but refer to the tax collector as “Levi,” not Matthew. His life and writings continue to impact believers and provide valuable insights into the life and ministry of Jesus.

  • Where: Capernaum
  • Occupations: Tax collector, a disciple of Jesus
  • Relative: Father: Alpheus
  • Contemporaries:Jesus Christ, Pilate, Herod, other disciples

Closing Thoughts on Apostle Matthew

Apostle Matthew’s journey from a despised tax collector to a devoted disciple of Jesus and Gospel writer is truly remarkable.

‘Follow me,’ he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. (Matthew 9:9 NIV)

This verse encapsulates Matthew’s swift obedience to Jesus and his total life transformation. This teaches us that no one is beyond redemption. Matthew, one of the twelve apostles, was a tax collector before following Jesus. The Apostle Matthew offers us a glimpse into that kind of radical transformation.

The association between Matthew the apostle and the Gospel attributed to him would become foundational for centuries of Christian thought. There is no historical basis to assume that such a person would have received the kind of literary education required to compose a sophisticated Greek narrative of this magnitude.

Dutch Reformed theologian Herman N.

Ridderbos summed up the arguments in the following way:

We can no longer accept the traditional view of Matthew's authorship. What can we learn from Apostle Matthew’s transformation? Apostle Matthew’s life teaches us that no one is beyond God’s reach. Subsequent church leaders took this comment as an indication that Matthew the tax collector wrote the book that now bears his name; and indeed, this is probably what Papias meant.

Papias’ comment was interpreted by later figures such as Irenaeus, writing toward the end of the 2nd century, as solid evidence that the apostle Matthew had composed the only of the four Gospels that mention “Matthew” as the tax collector. 

In his work Against Heresies (3.1.1), Irenaeus confidently stated that “Matthew also issued a written Gospel among the Hebrews in their own dialect, while Peter and Paul were preaching at Rome, and laying the foundations of the Church.”

Such affirmations reflect an emerging tendency in the early Church to ascribe apostolic authorship to texts that held theological and liturgical authority within the community.

Before his encounter with Jesus, Matthew was a tax collector—a profession associated with dishonesty, greed, and betrayal. Instead of distancing himself from his old life, he used his connections to introduce others like him to Jesus.

life of matthew the apostle

If Jesus could call Matthew, a man despised by his community, He can call anyone, regardless of their past. It is the culmination of Dr. Halley’s mission: that every Christian be enabled and encouraged to consistently and devotedly read and understand their Bible.

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Lessons from His Life

The life of Apostle Matthew provides us with powerful lessons that can inspire and challenge us in our own walk with Christ.

Matthew’s immediate response to Jesus’ call demonstrates the power of faith and the importance of leaving behind worldly pursuits to follow Christ.

 

Matthew in the Bible: Life, Death & Interesting Facts

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily match my own.

First, paper soaked in oil, asphalt, and tar are poured over him, then glowing coals; but the fire cannot do him any harm. Accounts vary, with some stating he was stabbed to death or burned, though none are definitively proven.

St. Yet, when Jesus approached Matthew at his tax booth and simply said, “Follow me” (Matthew 9:9), Matthew left everything behind without hesitation.

Jesus reached out to Matthew, and Matthew, in turn, reached out to others like him. They were considered traitors to their people and frequently took more money than required, leading to widespread hatred and mistrust.

2.