1st century AD · disciple of Jesus around AD 28-30
Matthew in the Bible
The tax collector who became an apostle. Name meaning: Matthew, from a Hebrew name meaning “gift of the LORD”; Mark and Luke also call him Levi, son of Alphaeus
Matthew, also called Levi, son of Alphaeus, is a tax collector sitting at his tax booth when Jesus says to him, “Follow me.” He gets up, leaves everything, follows Jesus, and then throws a great banquet for him with other tax collectors. To the scandalized Pharisees, Jesus answers, “I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Matt 9:13). Matthew becomes one of the twelve apostles and stays with them all the way to the upper room.
Key moments
- Jesus says to him, “Follow me” Matthew 9:9
- Leaving everything, he gets up and follows him Luke 5:28
- He throws a great banquet for Jesus in his house Luke 5:29
- “I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” Matthew 9:13
- He is chosen among the twelve apostles Luke 6:13–15
- “Thomas, and Matthew the publican” Matthew 10:3
- Sent out to preach: “The kingdom of heaven is at hand” Matthew 10:5–7
- Present in the upper room with the apostles Acts 1:13
Strengths
- Immediate obedience
- Detachment
- Hospitality
Weaknesses
Before his call, Matthew works as a tax collector, a trade the Pharisees lump in with “sinners” (Matt 9:11). Jesus does not shut him out for it: he calls him. Like all the disciples, Matthew forsakes Jesus at his arrest (Matt 26:56).
Lessons for today
- Answer Jesus’ call without delay: “And he arose, and followed him,” leaving everything (Matt 9:9; Luke 5:28).
- Jesus calls those whom others keep at a distance: “I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Matt 9:13).
- Open your home so that others can meet Jesus: Levi’s banquet gathers many tax collectors around him (Luke 5:29).
- Mercy comes before ritual: “I will have mercy, and not sacrifice” (Matt 9:13; 12:7).
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.
But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
And he left all, rose up, and followed him.
People around Matthew
- Jesus — The one who calls him: “Follow me”
- Alphaeus — His father, according to Mark (Mark 2:14)
- Thomas — Named next to him in the list in Matthew 10:3
- James, son of Alphaeus — Another apostle called “son of Alphaeus”; the Bible does not say whether they are brothers
- Matthias — Not to be confused with him: chosen to replace Judas (Acts 1:26)
Stories with Matthew
Quiz: how well do you know Matthew?
What was Matthew’s job when Jesus called him?
Luke sees “a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom.” Peter and Andrew, by contrast, were fishermen. Luke 5:27
What other name do Mark and Luke give Matthew?
Mark writes “Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom”: it is the same scene as Matt 9:9, where the man is called Matthew. Mark 2:14
In whose house did Jesus sit at the table with many tax collectors after the call of the man at the tax booth?
“Jesus sat at meat in his house”—Levi’s—and “many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples.” Mark 2:15
There are many more questions like these in Bible Academy, each with its explanation and verse. Start your free trial.