Matthew

“gift of Yahweh”

AKA Levi

Customs official in Capernaum, Tax collector

Hated by Jews because he worked for Rome

• Matthew was Jewish (See Jewish boys), Son of Alpheus Mark 2:14
• Matthew was one of the twelve disciples (Matthew 9 :9-13)
  • He gave a big reception for Jesus at his house. (Luke 5 :29)
• Matthew was a tax collector (Matthew 9 :9-13), also known as publican
  • He would have had to know how to read and write and would have been able to communicate in several languages.
  • They were the lowest of low people
  • They were dispised
  • They were considered unclean because of their direct contact with the Romans.
  • They could not testify in court.
  • They were generally well off financially because of the fees they charged on top of the taxes they collected.
• He also went by Levi (Mark 2:13-17; Luke 5:27-28
• As a tax collector, Matthew was believed to be unredeemable under the Mosaic Laws.

Matthew’s account:

^9 ^And Jesus passing by thence, saw a man sitting at the tax-office, named Matthew, and saith to him, `Be following me,' and he, having risen, did follow him.

^10 ^And it came to pass, he reclining (at meat) in the house, that lo, many tax-gatherers and sinners having come, were lying (at meat) with Jesus and his disciples,

^11 ^and the Pharisees having seen, said to his disciples, `Wherefore with the tax-gatherers and sinners doth your teacher eat?'

^12 ^And Jesus having heard, said to them, `They who are whole have no need of a physician, but they who are ill;

^13 ^but having gone, learn ye what is, Kindness I will, and not sacrifice, for I did not come to call righteous men, but sinners, to reformation.'

Mark’s Account:

^13 ^And he went forth again by the sea, and all the multitude was coming unto him, and he was teaching them,

^14 ^and passing by, he saw Levi of Alpheus sitting at the tax-office, and saith to him, `Be following me,' and he, having risen, did follow him.

^15 ^And it came to pass, in his reclining (at meat) in his house, that many tax-gatherers and sinners were reclining (at meat) with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many, and they followed him.

^16 ^And the scribes and the Pharisees, having seen him eating with the tax-gatherers and sinners, said to his disciples, `Why -- that with the tax-gatherers and sinners he doth eat and drink?'

^17 ^And Jesus, having heard, saith to them, `They who are strong have no need of a physician, but they who are ill; I came not to call righteous men, but sinners to reformation.'

Luke’s account:

^27 ^And after these things he went forth, and beheld a tax-gatherer, by name Levi, sitting at the tax-office, and said to him, `Be following me;'

^28 ^and he, having left all, having arisen, did follow him.

^29 ^And Levi made a great entertainment to him in his house, and there was a great multitude of tax-gatherers and others who were with them reclining (at meat),

^30 ^and the scribes and the Pharisees among them were murmuring at his disciples, saying, `Wherefore with tax-gatherers and sinners do ye eat and drink?'

^31 ^And Jesus answering said unto them, `They who are well have no need of a physician, but they that are ill:

^32 ^I came not to call righteous men, but sinners, to reformation.'