Matthew the Apostle

Matthew the Apostle was one of the twelve original followers of Jesus.

In Christian tradition, he is also known as Matthew the Evangelist. This title comes from his role as the author of the Gospel of Matthew. The New Testament describes him as a man who followed Jesus after being called. Before this, he worked as a tax collector in Capernaum. He sat at a place called the "receipt of custom" when Jesus approached him. This professional background is a key part of his early life story.

There are different ways the Bible identifies Matthew's family and background. The Gospel of Mark and the Gospel of Luke describe a tax collector named Levi. This man was the son of Alphaeus. These passages are very similar to the account of Matthew in the Gospel of Matthew. Because both Matthew and a disciple named James are called the sons of Alphaeus, traditions vary. The Eastern Orthodox Church holds the tradition that Matthew and James were actually brothers. This connection helps scholars and believers understand his place among the Twelve Disciples.

Much of what we know about Matthew comes from early Church Fathers. Leaders like Irenaeus and Clement of Alexandria wrote about his life and travels. They stated that Matthew first preached the gospel to Jewish communities in Judea. After his work in Judea, he traveled to other countries to share his message. Many ancient sources mention that he traveled to Ethiopia. However, historians note that this "Ethiopia" might be a different place. It may refer to a region south of the Caspian Sea known as ancient Persia.

The question of how the Gospel of Matthew was written is a major topic of study. Early Christian leaders like Papias of Hierapolis claimed Matthew collected the sayings of Jesus. He reportedly wrote these oracles in the Hebrew language. The theologian Origen also believed the first gospel was written by Matthew in Hebrew. He suggested it was written near Jerusalem for Hebrew Christians. Later, the text was likely translated into Greek. A Hebrew original was said to be kept at the Library of Caesarea.

Modern scholars often hold different views regarding the authorship of the Gospel. Many contemporary biblical scholars, such as Bart D. Ehrman, challenge the traditional view. They suggest the Gospel may have been written anonymously rather than by Matthew himself. It is possible the text incorporates a source written by the disciple. Some researchers believe the title "according to Matthew" was added during the second century. There are also other texts, called non-canonical or apocryphal gospels, that are attributed to him. These include the Gospel of the Nazarenes and the Gospel of the Ebionites.

Different religious traditions also have unique stories about Matthew's death. The Catholic and Orthodox churches believe he died as a martyr. A martyr is someone who is killed because of their religious beliefs. One tradition from the "Golden Legend" tells a story involving a king in Ethiopia. It says Matthew converted a princess named Ephigenia to his faith. When a later king named Hirtacus tried to marry her, Matthew rebuked him. This led the king to order Matthew's death while he stood at the altar.

Matthew remains a highly respected figure in many global belief systems. The Roman Catholic, Lutheran, and Anglican churches all recognize him as a saint. They often celebrate his feast day on September 21. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, he has different feast days, including June 30 and November 16. His influence even extends to Islam through various commentaries that name him as a disciple. In the Druze faith, he is honored as a prophet. The Druze respect him for his spiritual wisdom and his role as a carrier of knowledge.

Because of his long history, Matthew is a frequent subject in Western art. He is often shown with a winged man, which is one of the four living creatures from the Book of Revelation. The painter Caravaggio created three famous paintings of Matthew being called from his job. These works are considered landmarks of art history. Even in architecture, his stories are preserved. In the Basilica of Annunciation in Nazareth, a stone capital depicts his interactions with King Egippus. These various artistic and religious traditions show how deeply his story has been preserved through the centuries.