Remembering the Apostle Matthias

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This post is part 3 of the series:

May 14

Remembrance of the life and ministry of the Apostle Matthias

Matthias was chosen by the early Church to take the place of Judas Iscariot (Acts 1:18-26). Along with the Apostle Paul, Matthias was not one of the original Twelve Disciples chosen by Christ. Matthias (a contraction of Matithiah or Matthew) was among those who followed Jesus during his earthly ministry. Often it is imagined that only the twelve followed Jesus during his ministry, but upon closer examination of Scripture, it becomes evident that there often many more than the twelve. Matthias was chosen by lot over Joseph Barsabas, to be one of the apostles, supplying the vacancy left by Judas Iscariot who had committed suicide (Acts 1:23-26). It is likely, as Eusebius and Epiphanius have suggested, it is likely that he was one of the seventy disciples.Apostle Matthias

Concerning the election of Matthias to the apostolic post, different opinions have arisen. The most natural, however, is the one given in Scripture. After the address of Peter, the whole assembly, of about 120 (Acts 1:15), proceeded to nominate two, namely, Joseph, surnamed Barsabas, and Matthias. These two fulfilled the requirements necessary for inclusion into the apostolic band. Following prayer, they proceeded to choose between the two men by the casting of lots, perhaps by writing the name of one of the candidates on a tablet and casting it into an urn, and then drawing out one of the two names. In this manner, it is likely that the apostles were seeking to follow a practice established by the Levitical law (Leviticus 16:8), referring the decision to God (cf. Proverbs 16:33). Following the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, this method of election was not used again. It would seem that Paul was the divine appointee for the vacancy of Judas.Apostle Matthias

Day of Remembrance

Apart from the information given about him in the first chapter of Acts, little is known of him. One tradition of the Church suggests he preached the Gospel in Ethiopia or Cappadocia, and finally suffered martyrdom. But according to another tradition, Matthias preached in Judea, and was stoned to death by the Jews then beheaded. Early in the life of the Church an apocryphal gospel arose which bore his name. In Western Christendom, the life and ministry of Matthias is remembered on May 14.

Apostolic Symbol

The life and ministry of Matthias is symbolized by a Bible (sometimes open) and a sword or double bladed battle-ax across it, alluding to the tradition which suggests that he was first stoned and then beheaded with an ax because of his fidelity to Christ.

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