Matthew: Bible Character Study

Introduction

Matthew collected taxes for the Roman-backed rulers in Galilee. People saw tax collectors as traitors and cheats, and the Gospels often list them next to sinners (Matt 9:10-11). He sat at his booth by the road, and Jesus stopped and said two words: Follow me.

He got up and left it all (Luke 5:28). Then he threw a big dinner and invited other tax collectors. Scripture records no words from Matthew himself. In his list of the Twelve, only Matthew's name carries the old label: Matthew the tax collector (Matt 10:3). Church tradition says he wrote the first Gospel, though the book itself does not name its author.

And he rose and followed him.
(ESV)

Name means: Gift of God (Hebrew); also called Levi ()
Home: Capernaum, by the Sea of Galilee ()
Role: Tax collector, then one of the Twelve
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Matthew's story

Beginning
At the tax booth
He sits collecting taxes, cut off from his own people.
High point
Rose and followed
Jesus says, Follow me. He leaves everything and goes.
High point
A table full of sinners
He hosts a great feast. The Pharisees object, and Jesus says he came to call sinners.
Ending
One of the Twelve
He is named an apostle and is in the upper room after the ascension.

Starts as a tax collector at his booth. Ends as an apostle of the King.

Where Matthew lived and went

Only places Scripture records. Softer, dotted pins are traditional or uncertain sites. Tap a pin for the passage.

HomeMinistryKey momentTraditional or uncertainPinch or use + to zoom. Tap a cluster to spread it out.

Only his call at Capernaum is placed.

How Matthew is wired

Why there's no type here

Scripture records no words or inner life from Matthew, so any type would be a guess.

Strengths & struggles

What's good in Matthew

Decisive. Generous. Brings his old friends to meet Jesus.

Where Matthew struggles

Scripture does not record his faults beyond the life he left.

What Matthew wanted most

Scripture does not say.

What Matthew feared most

Scripture does not say.

Matthew's people

Jesus

Thomas

Simon the Zealot

The Lord

JesusCalled him from the tax booth and ate at his table.

Friends

Tax collectors and sinnersHis old circle, invited to meet Jesus at his feast ().

ThomasPaired with him in Matthew's list of the Twelve (Matt 10:3).

Simon the ZealotA fellow apostle from the opposite end of Israel's politics; both are in the same list (Matt 10:3-4).

Opposed

The Pharisees and scribesGrumbled that Jesus ate with Matthew's guests ().

Family of Faith

See where Matthew fits

AbrahamJesus

c. 2 BC – AD 60 (debated). Knew Jesus face to face.

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Where this points to Christ

Matthew's call is the gospel in miniature: a sinner summoned, not a good man rewarded.

When the Pharisees objected, Jesus said, “For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners” (). Jesus pictures himself as a physician who comes to the sick. Matthew did not clean himself up first. He was called where he sat.