Matthew

Biography

Matthew was one of the Twelve Apostles and the author of the First Gospel. Originally called Levi, he was a tax collector—a profession despised by Jews as collaborators with Roman occupiers. His conversion was radical: Jesus called him while he worked, and Matthew immediately left his lucrative position to follow Christ. The Gospels emphasize his complete transformation and grateful response; Matthew hosted a feast celebrating his new life. His Gospel, written primarily for Jewish Christians, presents Jesus as the Messiah fulfilling Old Testament prophecy, structured around five major discourses. Matthew's background as a tax collector provided accounting skills useful for recording Jesus's teachings systematically. After the Resurrection, he preached the Gospel, though traditions vary regarding his specific mission field. Many accounts describe him as a martyr, though details are historically uncertain. Matthew exemplifies radical conversion and transformation through encountering Christ. His life demonstrates that no occupation or past excludes one from discipleship, and his Gospel provided essential theological framework for understanding Jesus's mission.