Remembering the Apostle Matthew

Matthew was a common Jewish name after the Jewish exile. In the lists of the apostles, Matthew, who was also known as Levi (Mark 2:14; Luke v. 27), is coupled with Thomas (Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15). Matthew’s father’s name was Alphaeus (Mark 2:14), who should not be confused with the father of James the son of Mary, the wife of Cleophas, who was a “sister” of the mother of Jesus (John 19:25). Matthew was born at Nazareth in Galilee but resided primarily in Capernaum due to his occupation.Remembering the Apostle Matthew

His Apostolic Call

His call to the apostolic ministry (A.D. 27) is recorded by all three evangelists, Matthew giving the usual name (9:9) while Mark (2:14) and Luke (5:27) use the name “Levi.” Matthew’s occupation was likely the collection of dues and customs from both persons and goods crossing the Lake of Galilee (Gennesareth). It was while he was fulfilling this office that he was called by Jesus to follow Him. Matthew promptly invited Jesus to a “great feast” (Luke 5:29) which may have been a means for Matthew to bid his old companions farewell.Remembering the Apostle Matthew

Before Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount, he selected twelve disciples who were to form a closer relationship with him (Luke 6:13) and among those selected was Matthew. After this he is mentioned only in one other passage, Acts 1:13.

After the Crucifixion

Following the death of Christ, Matthew remained in Jerusalem for about fifteen years preaching to his own Jewish people before taking the gospel to foreign countries.[1] Intending to leave Judea to go and preach among the Gentiles, he wrote his gospel in Hebrew for the use of the Jewish converts. The early church believed that Matthew’s Gospel was the first gospel to be written, some believing that it was subsequently translated into Greek by St. James the Less.

Martyred: ca. 60

One prominent tradition of the Church suggests that Matthew traveled to Ethiopia where he ordained preachers, established churches, and won many converts. Afterwards he proceeded to Parthia where he enjoyed similar success; but returning to Ethiopia, he was martyred by a halberd[2] in the city of Nadabar about the year of Christ 60. He is remembered for his gentle character and temperate manner.

Feastday and Apostolic Symbol

The life and ministry of the Apostle Matthew is observed by the Western Christian Church on September 21. Two symbols are most frequently associated with St. Matthew. The first, three purses, refer to his original profession as a tax collector for the Romans. The second, the hatchet or halberd, is a memorial of the manner in which tradition suggests he was martyred.[3]

Related Articles

George Read

American History | Christian Calendar (Holidays) | Christian History | September Articles | Signers of Declaration of Independence

George Read (September 18, 1733 – September 21, 1798) was an American lawyer and politician from New Castle in New Castle County, Delaware. He was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, a Continental Congressman from Delaware, a delegate to the U.S. Constitutional Convention of 1787, President of Delaware, and a member of the Federalist Party, who served as U.S. Senator from Delaware and Chief Justice of Delaware.Read more...

The Long Irreligious War Against America

American Founding Fathers | Marxism | Thomas Jefferson

The Afghanistan War lasted nineteen years and ten months and has been designated as America's longest war. But the war against the Christian principles that have made America an exceptional nation has been waged since the beginning of the Republic. Tyrants believe human rights are granted by human government, but the sentiment of America's Founding Fathers was aptly affirmed by Thomas Jefferson when he wrote, "And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people Read more...

The Godless Constitution?

American History | Christian History | Christian Social Influence | Christian Witness

Since the 1940s, Christians in America have been waging polemical warfare against usurpationists and their claims of a godless Constitution. In 1996, Cornell University professors Isaac Kramnick and R. Laurence Moore published a joint work titled, The Godless Constitution: The Case Against Religious Correctness (W. W. Horton). The title of the work was an apt description of their thesis—the Constitutional Fathers were completely irreligious in their efforts to provide a federal government for the thirteen founding states. They argued that AmeriRead more...

Elias Boudinot: Building America on Christ

American History

While it is not true that Elias Boudinot, of New Jersey, started the Thanksgiving tradition in America, it is true that he did initiate the practice of presidential proclamations that traditionally accompany the American Thanksgiving season and which provides "an opportunity to all the citizens of the United States of joining, with one voice, in returning to Almighty God their sincere thanks for the many blessings he … [has] poured down upon them." In addition, Elias Boudinot was one of the presidents of the Continental Congress, serving in Read more...

Article Notes and Sources

[1]Clemens Alexandrinus (Stroml. 6:15); Eusebius (Hist. Eccles. 3:24)

[2]A combination of a spear and battleaxe.

[3]Redacted from Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature, s.v. "Matthew."

Remembering the Apostle Matthew

Remembering the Apostle Matthew

Remembering the Apostle Matthew