Only one and its parallels gives us any substantial details about him. Matthew, Mark, and Luke have parallel accounts of Jesus calling a tax collector to become a disciple. There are several possible explanations for this difference. Others suggest this person was originally named Levi, but that Jesus called him Matthew similar to Simon, who Jesus named Peter.
As we just learned in the passages above Matthew , Mark , Luke —28 , Matthew was a tax collector, or a publican—someone who was contracted by the Roman government to collect taxes. As a Jew, stepping into this profession was essentially an act of betrayal to his people. Tax collectors had very little accountability. Tax collectors earned a reputation for telling people they owed more than they did and pocketing the difference. To the Jews, tax collectors were the embodiment of sin.
Think about that: they were worried about putting a tax collector in charge of their money, but Judas not only stole from the money bag John , but ultimately betrayed Jesus.
Tax collectors were sinners by trade, lying and cheating their way into riches and robbing from even the poorest among their people. They were religious outsiders, because the way they practiced their profession openly defied the Law of Moses. The richer they were, the worse they were assumed to be. After Jesus calls him, Matthew hosts a gathering at his house, and as he and his unsavory companions dine with Jesus, the Pharisees ask why Jesus eats with tax collectors and sinners Matthew By calling Matthew, Jesus was proclaiming that no one would be excluded from his movement—not even those society considered irredeemable.
The only people who saw more of who Jesus was and what he was capable of were Peter, James , and John. Besides this, Matthew gives Peter a good deal of positive attention in his gospel. Elwell and B. Beitzel, Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible. What was important was believing in and living as a follower of Christ. Matthew helps us to remember that it is our faith in Jesus that makes us truly rich!
Matthew is the patron saint of accountants. Skip to main content. Comments are closed. It begins by accounting the genealogy of Jesus, then his birth, baptism and public ministry.
The miracles recorded in Matthew reveal Jesus' authority and true identity. It is helpful to be able to recognize Saint Matthew in paintings, stained glass windows, illuminated manuscripts, architecture and other forms of Christian art. The artistic representations reflect the life or death of saints, or an aspect of life with which the person is most closely associated. Saint Matthew is represented in Christian Art with a purse or money-bag.
Occasionally we find him seated at a desk, with money spread out before him. As the Evangelist, he appears with book, pen, and inkhorn, and generally an angel standing by dictating the Gospel to him. Traditional iconography often shows Saint Matthew with a money sack and account books, to signify his old life as a tax collector, and an angel above or behind him, to signify his new life as a messenger of Christ.
We thank thee, heavenly Father, for the witness of your apostle and evangelist Matthew to the Gospel of your Son our Savior; and we pray that, after his example, we may with ready wills and hearts obey the calling of our Lord to follow him; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
From www. We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us! Subscribe to the Biography newsletter to receive stories about the people who shaped our world and the stories that shaped their lives. Her rule precipitated the collapse of Russia's imperial government.
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