Matthew

Matthew. He is recognized as one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus and is traditionally credited as the author of the Gospel of Matthew, one of the four canonical gospels in the New Testament. Originally a tax collector working for the Herodian authorities in Capernaum, his calling by Jesus is a significant narrative in the Synoptic Gospels. Venerated as a saint and often depicted as an evangelist, his feast day is celebrated on September 21 in the Western Church and November 16 in the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Etymology and name variants

The name Matthew derives from the Hebrew name Mattityahu (מַתִּתְיָהוּ), meaning "gift of Yahweh". In the Gospel of Matthew, he is referred to as "Matthew the tax collector". The Gospel of Mark and the Gospel of Luke refer to him as Levi, the son of Alphaeus, in their accounts of his calling. This has led to scholarly discussion on whether Matthew and Levi were the same individual or two distinct figures. In the Syriac tradition, his gospel is attributed to "Matthew the Evangelist". The Greek form of the name, Maththaios, is used throughout the Koine Greek texts of the New Testament.

Biblical figure: Apostle and evangelist

According to the Synoptic Gospels, Matthew was a tax collector stationed at a tax booth in Capernaum, a town on the Sea of Galilee. His profession was despised in Second Temple Judaism, as tax collectors were seen as collaborators with the Roman Empire and often considered sinners. The calling of Matthew is dramatically recounted in Matthew 9:9, where Jesus simply says, "Follow me," and Matthew rises and follows him. This event is also described in the Gospel of Mark and the Gospel of Luke. Following his calling, Matthew hosted a great feast at his house, attended by Jesus and many other tax collectors and sinners, which drew criticism from the Pharisees. As one of the Twelve Apostles, he is listed in all the Apostolic Lists within the New Testament, including in the Acts of the Apostles. Later Christian tradition holds that he preached the gospel after the Ascension of Jesus, with various accounts placing his missionary work in regions such as Judea, Ethiopia, and Persia.

Authorship of the Gospel of Matthew

The Gospel of Matthew is anonymously written, but early Christian tradition, beginning with Papias of Hierapolis in the 2nd century, attributes its authorship to the Apostle Matthew. Papias reported that Matthew compiled the "sayings" (Logia) of Jesus in the Hebrew (or Aramaic) dialect. Most modern biblical scholarship, however, based on source criticism and linguistic analysis, holds that the gospel was originally composed in Koine Greek between 80-90 AD, relying heavily on the earlier Gospel of Mark and a hypothetical source known as the Q source. The gospel is characterized by its emphasis on Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, its structured discourses like the Sermon on the Mount, and its intended audience of Jewish Christians. It stands as the first book in the New Testament canon in most Christian Bibles.

Depiction in art and tradition

In Christian art, Matthew is commonly depicted with the attribute of an angel or a winged man, a symbol derived from the Four Living Creatures in the Book of Ezekiel and the Book of Revelation, representing his gospel's focus on the human lineage of Jesus. Scenes from his life, particularly his calling by Jesus and his inspiration by an angel while writing his gospel, are frequent subjects. Masterpieces include Caravaggio's The Calling of Saint Matthew in the Contarelli Chapel in Rome and the statue by Bernini in the Chigi Chapel. He is often shown with a money bag or coin, referencing his former profession. In Eastern Orthodox iconography, he is portrayed among the Twelve Apostles in Deesis compositions and in scenes of the Pentecost.

Veneration and feast day

Matthew is venerated as a saint and martyr across Christianity. His primary feast day is celebrated on September 21 in the Roman Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion, and many Lutheran churches, commemorating his traditional martyrdom. The Eastern Orthodox Church and Eastern Catholic Churches following the Byzantine Rite observe his feast on November 16. He is the patron saint of tax collectors, accountants, bankers, and the city of Salerno, Italy, where tradition holds his relics were transferred. The Basilica of San Matteo in Salerno is a major center of his veneration. Other notable churches dedicated to him include St. Matthew's Church, Westminster, and St. Matthew's German Evangelical Lutheran Church in Charleston, South Carolina. Category:Christian saints Category:Twelve Apostles Category:New Testament people