MATTHEW
(Maes, Godfried. St. Matthew the Evangelist. Oil on canvas. ca. 1670. Private collection. Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Godfried_Maes_-_St_Matthew_the_Evangelist.jpg.)
What do we really know about the man behind the first Gospel?
First century A.D. · Galilee and Judea
One of the Twelve Apostles, Matthew is traditionally considered the author of the first of the three synoptic Gospels. Very little is known about his life, including the circumstances and dates of his birth and death.
Teachings of Jesus
One message, two missions
- Role: One of the Twelve Apostles
- Known for: Traditionally considered the author of the first of the three synoptic Gospels
- Life: Very little is known, including the dates and circumstances of his birth and death
- Before his call: A tax collector in Capernaum for Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee (Matthew 9:9; Mark 2:14)
- Mission: Judea and lands to the east, working primarily among the Jews
How does a new covenant relate to the old one it follows?
Hover or tap each idea to follow Matthew’s path
- The CallAccording to Matthew 9:9 and Mark 2:14, Matthew was working as a tax collector in Capernaum for the tetrarch of Galilee, Herod Antipas, when Jesus called him to follow.“Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.” (Matthew 9:9)
- The First GospelMatthew is traditionally considered the author of the first of the three synoptic Gospels.
- A Mission to the JewsHis efforts to bring the teachings of Jesus to the world centered on Judea and lands to the east, where he worked primarily among the Jews. Early tradition held that his Gospel was originally written in Hebrew.
- Unlike PaulThe apostle Paul focused his efforts on the Gentiles of the Greco-Roman world. Matthew turned instead to his own people.
- The New Covenant and the OldMatthew’s Gospel is special in the emphasis it places on the New Covenant represented by Christ and its relationship to the Old Covenant.
Matthew’s Gospel is special in the emphasis it places on the New Covenant represented by Christ and its relationship to the Old.
Called from a tax collector’s post in Capernaum, Matthew became one of the Twelve and is traditionally credited with the first of the synoptic Gospels. Where Paul carried the teachings of Jesus to the Gentiles of the Greco-Roman world, Matthew brought them to the Jews of Judea and the lands to the east.
Where to read more about Matthew and his Gospel.
- 1890The Gospel According to St. Matthew, with Notes Critical and PracticalSadler, M. F. · George Bell & SonsFree PDF
- 1993Matthew 1–13 (Word Biblical Commentary 33A)Hagner, Donald A. · Word Books
- 1997An Introduction to the New TestamentBrown, Raymond E. · Doubleday (Anchor Yale reissue, 2010)
- 1999A Commentary on the Gospel of MatthewKeener, Craig S. · Eerdmans
- 2007The Gospel of MatthewFrance, R. T. · Eerdmans
- 2008Matthew (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament)Turner, David L. · Baker Academic
- The Gospel of Matthew (King James Version)The full text, free from Project Gutenberg.gutenberg.org
- Britannica: Gospel According to MatthewAn overview of the Gospel, its authorship and its themes.britannica.com
(Maes, Godfried. St. Matthew the Evangelist. Oil on canvas. ca. 1670. Private collection. Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Godfried_Maes_-_St_Matthew_the_Evangelist.jpg.)
Godfried Maes's 17th-century Baroque painting portrays Saint Matthew the Evangelist inspired by an angel, seated nude with drapery, writing his Gospel on a scroll amid ruins, emphasizing divine guidance in his apostolic mission.
(Unknown. Matthew the Evangelist. Egg tempera on wood panel. ca. 1800. Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Matthew_the_Evangelist_-_icon.jpeg.)
A 19th-century Russian icon depicts Saint Matthew enthroned with his Gospel book, accompanied by an angel, in gold-ground tempera with intricate inscriptions, highlighting his role as one of the four Evangelists in Eastern Orthodox tradition.
(El Greco. St. Matthew. Oil on canvas. ca. 1597–1604. Museo de Santa Cruz, Toledo. Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:El_Greco_-_St._Matthew_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg.)
El Greco's Mannerist masterpiece from the late 16th century shows Saint Matthew dynamically writing, with flowing beard and robes in rich blues and pinks, against a dark background, conveying the intensity of his conversion and Gospel authorship.