Feast of Saint Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist
September 21
Saint Matthew—also called Levi—was a tax collector whom Jesus called to become one of the Twelve Apostles and the author of the first Gospel in the New Testament canon.
The Call of Matthew
Matthew's call is recorded in the Gospel that bears his name:
"As Jesus passed by from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax collection office. He said to him, 'Follow me.' He got up and followed him." — Matthew 9:9
Tax collectors were despised in first-century Israel. They worked for the Roman occupiers, often enriching themselves by collecting more than required. They were considered sinners and traitors. Yet Jesus chose such a man to be his apostle.
A Feast with Sinners
After his call, Matthew hosted a dinner for Jesus:
"As he sat in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples." — Matthew 9:10
When the Pharisees objected, Jesus responded with words that echo through the centuries:
"When Jesus heard it, he said to them, 'Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick do. But you go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repe…" — Matthew 9:12-13
The Gospel of Matthew
Matthew's Gospel, placed first in the New Testament, serves as a bridge between the Old and New Testaments. It emphasizes:
- Jesus as the fulfillment of prophecy: "This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet" appears repeatedly
- Jesus as the new Moses: The Sermon on the Mount parallels Moses on Sinai
- The Church: Matthew is the only Gospel to use the word "church" (ekklesia)
- Jewish-Christian concerns: Written primarily for Jewish believers
The Gospel includes beloved passages like the Beatitudes, the Lord's Prayer, and the Great Commission.
Later Ministry and Martyrdom
Tradition holds that after Pentecost, Matthew preached in Judea before traveling to Ethiopia, Persia, or other regions (traditions vary). He is believed to have been martyred, though accounts of his death differ.
Patron Saint
Matthew is the patron saint of accountants, bankers, tax collectors, and financial officers—professions that reflect his former life, now sanctified by grace.
Legacy
Matthew's transformation from tax collector to apostle demonstrates that no one is beyond Christ's call. His Gospel has shaped Christian understanding of Jesus more than almost any other text, giving us the Sermon on the Mount, the parables of the kingdom, and the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations.