Matthew
A tax collector whom Jesus called to follow him, and one of the Twelve apostles.
At a glance
- Name
- Matthew
- Type
- Person
- Period
- New Testament
- Appears in
- The Gospels and the book of Acts
- First appearance
- Matthew 9
- Known for
- The tax collector called to be an apostle
Who is Matthew?
Matthew is a tax collector whom Jesus calls from his tax booth with the words 'Follow Me,' and he gets up and follows him. Tax collectors were widely despised, which makes the call notable.
Matthew then hosts Jesus at a meal with other tax collectors and sinners. When the Pharisees object, Jesus answers that it is the sick, not the healthy, who need a doctor, and that he came to call sinners.
He is listed among the Twelve apostles as Matthew the tax collector. He is traditionally regarded as the author of the Gospel that bears his name, although the Gospel does not name its author.
Matthew in the Bible
The call of Matthew
Jesus sees Matthew at his tax booth and calls him, and Matthew gets up and follows.
Read Matthew 9 →Dinner with tax collectors
Matthew hosts a meal where Jesus eats with tax collectors and sinners, drawing the Pharisees' objection.
Read Matthew 9 →Not to be confused with
- Levi In the Gospels of Mark and Luke, the tax collector called from his booth is named Levi; he is traditionally identified with Matthew.
Key passages featuring Matthew
These are key passages, not a complete list of every appearance.