“And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. 2 The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.” (Matthew 10:1–4 ESV)
We continue our profile of the Twelve Apostles. Today’s study concerns the Apostle Matthew.
Matthew means “gift of the Lord.” It was the alternative name of Levi, the tax collector (Matt. 9:9-13), who left everything to follow Christ (Luke 5:27–32). Matthew was one of the 12 apostles (Matt. 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13). In his own list of the Twelve, he explicitly called himself a “tax collector” (Matt. 10:1-3). Nowhere else in Scripture is the name Matthew associated with “tax-collector.” The other Gospels always use his tribal name, Levi, when speaking of his life prior to his conversion.
Matthew would have engaged in taxing fishermen like Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John. This would have created some obvious tension among the disciples when Jesus called Matthew to follow Him. Past conflicts prior to conversion yield to present reconciliation following conversion.
All three Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) place the call of Matthew after the healing of the paralytic and Jesus’ pronouncement of his right to forgive sins (Matt. 9:1–8), and prior to the dinner for “tax collectors and sinners” (vv 10–13). This identifies Matthew as one of the sinners (v 13) to whom Jesus offers forgiveness.
“Matthew’s response to Jesus was obedient, decisive, and sacrificial (Lk 5:28). Both Mark (2:14) and Luke (5:27) call the tax collector “Levi” in place of “Matthew” (cf. Mt 9:9). A personal name (Matthew) would be a more natural choice than a tribal name (Levi), for identifying oneself. Mark and Luke locate the dinner “at his [Levi’s] house” (Mk 2:15; Lk 5:29), but Matthew “in the house” (Mt 9:10)—words one might use of his own home,” explains the Baker Bible Encyclopedia.
Matthew names the Twelve when Jesus sends them with the message of the kingdom (Matt. 10:1–8). Perhaps Jesus gave Levi the name Matthew as a sign of apostleship. If Matthew is a Christian name, this would help to explain why Levi occurs only in accounts of his call (Mark 2:14; Luke 5:27, 29), and Matthew everywhere else.
An interesting fact is that all three Synoptic Gospels mention “James son of Alphaeus” among the Twelve Apostles. Mark 2:14 identifies Matthew as “Levi son of Alphaeus.” it is possible that James and Levi (Matthew) were brothers. This would have meant even greater conflict, and subsequent reconciliation, not only between two Jews but also two brothers. Such is the power of the Gospel to change people’s lives.
“The “scribe” of Matthew 13:52 is, no doubt, Matthew himself, who as a tax collector had been a secular scribe. Jesus likens him to a person “bringing forth treasures new and old”—the old being those acquired as a tax collector (such as gifts for accuracy and organization), the new being Jesus’ teachings “about the kingdom of heaven.” As a man doubly equipped, Matthew is now ready for further scribal activity—the writing of the book that bears his name,” states the Baker Bible Encyclopedia.
Matthew was among the disciples gathered to await the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:13). The New Testament records nothing of his activity after this.
Soli deo Gloria!
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