Bible Characters · Gospels

Matthew

The tax collector of Capernaum who rose from his booth at the two words, follow me, and whose name the first Gospel bears.

Gospels8 references in 4 booksIn theological review

The facts, as Scripture gives them

Lived
Dates not given in Scripture.
Region
Capernaum. (Matthew 9:1; Matthew 9:9)
The name
In Mark's and Luke's accounts of his call, he is named Levi, the son of Alphaeus. (Mark 2:14; Luke 5:27)
Work
A tax collector. (Matthew 9:9)

Key verses

As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax booth. “Follow Me,” He told him, and Matthew got up and followed Him.

Matthew 9:9 (BSB)

But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.

Matthew 9:13 (BSB)

What they did

  • Was seen by Jesus sitting at the tax booth, and at his word, follow me, he rose and followed him. (Matthew 9:9)
  • Hosted Jesus at dinner in his house, with many tax collectors and sinners at the table, and heard: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners. (Matthew 9:10-13)
  • Was named among the twelve apostles, as Matthew the tax collector. (Matthew 10:3)
  • Was with the disciples in Jerusalem after the ascension. (Acts 1:13)

Family

Father
Alphaeus (Mark 2:14)

Connected to

  • Jesus: His Lord, who called him from the booth (Matthew 9:9)
  • Alphaeus: His father (Mark 2:14)

Mentioned in

Matthew, Mark, Luke, Acts.

Every reference (8)

Matthew 9:9 · Matthew 10:3 · Mark 2:14 · Mark 3:18 · Luke 5:27 · Luke 5:29 · Luke 6:15 · Acts 1:13

Review status: in-theological-review. Every Contend profile passes a human theological review against the Statement of Faith before it is published as approved teaching. This profile is in that queue. Sources: Scripture quotations are from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain), verified verse by verse. Name and reference data: STEP Bible (TIPNR), Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0.