There are legends about his ministry, but no substantial records of his role in the early church. Matthew was a tax collector. This prophecy of His own death and resurrection aimed to let people recognize Him as Christ in the proper light, for to confess Him as Christ while denying Him the cross would be to have incorrect expectations of what He was capable of. Were going to look at what the Bible says about Matthew, what we know about the gospel that bears his name, and some other tidbits about this enigmatic apostle. Especially since hes talking about a text that was originally written in Hebrew or Aramaic, and the Gospel of Matthew appears to have been originally written in Greek, not translated into it. And so, being passed over as teenagers, they are perhaps shocked to be considered worthy of apprenticeship with a traveling Rabbi who was beginning to gain a reputation at that time. Jesus encountered Matthew at a tax booth in Capernauma city on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus, everyone agrees, was about 30 years old during his ministry, based on Luke's explicit aging in 3:23. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. On the basis of Lukes specific aging in 3:23, everyone accepts that Jesus was around 30 years old throughout his ministry. Only one (and its parallels) gives us any substantial details about him. In this case, the age of Christ is important since the information helps us understand the fulfillment of a prophecy in Jeremiah. This is supported by the educational tradition of the period. While Jesus and his followers were eating supper at Matthews house, a large number of tax collectors and sinners joined them and ate with them. Matthew 8:14 mentions his infirm mother-in-law, who was a sick woman. The Greek word for . The Hebrews were subject to the sovereignty of the Roman Empire during their lifetime. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Matthew was beaten by two . Some argue that Levi was this persons tribal namemeaning he belonged to the tribe of Leviand that Matthew was a more personal name. We know that John lived until about AD 96 or 97, which is about 66 years after Jesus died. Females are seen by Jesus as genuine persons, not simply as the objects of male desire. Some argue that Matthews role as an eyewitness is evidence that he didnt write the Gospel of Matthew. Jesus is on the lookout for those who are truly committed. Jesus Calls Matthew - Life of Christ Part 12. We should not be made to feel unqualified because of our physical appearance, lack of education, or previous experiences in our lives. Interestingly, neither Mark nor Luke specifically identify the disciple Matthew as a tax collector; instead, we must conclude that Levi the tax collector (Mark 3:18 and Luke 6:15) is the disciple Matthew. They clearly hadnt passed muster for special Rabbinic training, but having been with Jesus for 3 years, and seeing him alive again, gave them special qualifications: When they observed the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed and knew that they had been with Jesus. However, scholars say that the Gospel According to Saint Matthew, although later attributed to. (Mark 3.16). Matthew, also called Levi, was the tax collector who Jesus called to follow Him in Luke 5:27 (also mentioned in Matthew 10:3), though he doesn't get much mention after that, except. Some argue that the Gospel of Matthew includes internal evidence linking it to Matthews profession, which could indicate he was the biblical author. JESUS CALLS MATTHEW, THE TAX COLLECTOR. Peter - Movie "Risen" Of fact, this group of young Jewish men were not recognized as Christians when they arrived. But the simplicity of this passage speaks volumes. They were religious outsiders, because the way they practiced their profession openly defied the Law of Moses. The majority of the disciples were already learning their crafts, as was the case with James and John, who were both apprentices. Being a disciple of Jesus Christ is incomparably more valuable than money, celebrity, and power. The early church fathers claim he was burned, stoned, stabbed, or beheaded for his faith. As far as the text tells us, he might have been young, he might have been old. They had already formed a negative opinion of Jesus, but now he was associated with the lowest strata of Hebrew society. But thats all there is to it. No, Matthew wasnt a shady writer in the traditional sense. Do you know where should I look for information on how old were the apostles when they joined Jess? Anyone who has done fishing knows that it can be hit and miss while out one the waters. Matthew, who was also known as Levi, was a minor character in the Bible; he is only referenced by name in the lists of apostles and in the story of his calling. Today, the physical movie theater remains a popular destination for teens, mostly because it provides them with opportunities to meet up with friends, go on dates, hang out, and so on. And its also possible that its simply a matter of him having a Greek name (Matthew) and a Hebrew name (Levi), like how the Apostle Paul was also known by Saul. You see, Matthew was a member of the Republican Party. However, they all ultimately offer a different portrait of Jesus. Its message was ultimately intended to go to "all nations." True If the brothers were grown men, Salomes obstinacy would be quite incomprehensible. He was devoted to Jesus, and once he made the decision to serve the Lord, he never looked back. Why was Jesus regarded odd by the establishment? Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd. Its as if my teacher waved a magic wand and took care of everything for me. The Gospel of Matthew leaves little room for confusion though: hes called the tax collector in the list of disciples: These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. Matthew 10:24. However, Jesus accepted and loved this tax collector for who he was, regardless of his background. In response to an invitation from Jesus, Matthew demonstrated one of the most drastically transformed lives recorded in the Bible. 2023 Proven Way So its more than a little unclear what exactly Papias is referring to. This account is no longer accepted by the majority of researchers today. Matthew 8:14 mentions his infirm mother-in-law, who was a sick woman. Hebrew Scriptures reference: Exodus 12:1-51. Matthew was the only one who may have been older than the others, except from Peter. Tradition mentions his ministry inJudaea, following which he is said to have embarked on a journey to the East, which might have taken him to Ethiopia or Persia. He left behind the source of his riches; he left his position of security and comfort for traveling, hardship, and eventual martyrdom; he left his old life for a new life with Jesus. Theyd be told to collect a specified amount of money, but they could tell people they owed a different amount, and they had no power to dispute it. Four, the Mishnah explains why Jesus didnt start his ministry until age 30 even though his mission of redemption by death could have been accomplished at any age. This is not the word for "baby" ( ) used in Luke 2. Tax collectors earned a reputation for telling people they owed more than they did and pocketing the difference. So what do we really know about him? To some extent, this proof of His foresight speaks volumes about His divinity, and Matthew is surely conveying this point for his audience with this storyline. When He went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and felt compassion for them and healed their sick. Verse Concepts. CHRIST ASSOCIATES WITH SINNERS TO HELP THEM. In the words of Heracleon, the apostle died as a result of natural circumstances. All the other early records of Matthews death claim he was martyred, but they disagree about how or where it happened. And, despite the fact that he was a religious outsider, Jesus elevated him to a prominent position inside what would later become the worlds greatest religion. In Matthew 17, Jesus foreshadowed the events leading up to His own death and resurrection for the second time. 1 When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. If Jesus gave him the name Matthew or whether he chose it himself, Matthew is a truncation of the name Mattathias, which meaning gift of Yahweh or simply Gods gift. Mattheus arranged a huge goodbye feast at his home in Capernaum on the same day Jesus persuaded him to follow him. Others have speculated that Matthew was a bit older than the others because he had a fairly important position as a tax collector. But after that, the consistent picture of the disciples is of an older Peter and James with long beards, some gray hair, or balding heads, clearly middle aged, and clearly older than their strapping young Rabbi. His message was not polished, but blunt and to the point. As a result, the majority of the apostles would have been teens when Jesus asked them to join him. According to the Gospels, it appears that a handful of Jesus initial disciples changed their names after becoming followers of Jesus (remember that Simon becomes Peter). Lets get ready. After that, the Son of Man will be handed up to the chief priests and scribes, who will condemn him to death and hand him over to the Gentiles to be ridiculed, flogged, and crucified, after which he will be resurrected on the third day. Jesus and His followers had embarked on a journey to the city of Jerusalem from Galilee. He traveled with Saint Barnabas and Saint Paul on many . Since Zacchaeus was "short in stature," he ran ahead. Jasmine A.L. (according to the Bible) Fishermen . He gave up the delights of this world in exchange for the assurance of eternal life. *shrug*. Youd have to be completely convinced that Jesus is who He claims to be, that His is the only path to genuine life, and that its definitely worth it to push through the muck and gloom in order to see the beauty. Death, on the other hand, having been overcome, shows Him to be the genuine and better King; the suffering Servant promised by the prophet Isaiah. Home PhilosophyReligion Personages associated with religion Scholars Saints Popesapostle Alternative titles include: Levi, St. Matthew the Apostle, and St. Matthew the Evangelist are all names for the same person. Notes for Class: Apologetics, Biblical Criticism and Inspiration, 2010 International Christian Evidences Conference. These two gentlemen were brothers. Not only do we read the recorded interaction between Jesus and His followers, but as we read the tale, our gaze is drawn to the cross and the resurrection of Jesus Christ as well. Foxes Book of Martyrs also lends support to the martyrdom narrative of Matthew, saying that he was killed in the city of Nabadar with a halberd (a combined spear and battleax). (Lk 24:13-31) He said, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." (Mt 16:16) This man thought Jesus was the Son of God because Jesus told him, "I saw you under the fig tree." (Jn 1:48-50) They . Tax collectors were considered to be the epitome of sin by the Jews. Again crowds come to him, and he begins teaching them. Matthew was a tax collector , so financially he was stable , but the jews hated all tax collectors as they worked for the mighty Romans, but once he met Jesus his life was changed. There are several possible explanations for this difference. Tax collectors had very little accountability. . All rights reserved. Since we dont know how old he was at the time he met Jesus, we cant be certain he was born in the first century, but he certainly lived then. The level of craftsmanship with which The Gospel According to Matthewwas written never ceases to astound me. Matthew was one of the tax collectors whom Jesus saved. Mattew put together a masterpiece that, like any genuinely great narrative, instills perspective and inspires understanding while constantly directing us to the true Christ. There were no records of his early life, but he introduced himself as a tax collector (publican) in his own book during the time of Herod Antipas (Matthew 9:9; 10:3). Follow me, Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him. Mark 2:14, After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. In an attempt to murder him, the monarch makes many attempts, finally nailing him to the ground and setting him ablaze with his own blood on the ground. As a tax collector, Matthews job wouldve involved meticulously recording and documenting tax information. Last modified on Wed 20 Sep 2017 12.17 EDT. So the Synoptic Gospels actually begin later in Jesus' ministry. We see in Scripture, how majestically he spoke out to the crowd on the day of Pentecost. Topic:When it comes to the disciples, the question of how they could have written their letters 30 or more years after the crucifixion of the Christ tends to come up frequently. As we approach the first of three instances on which Jesus prophesied both His death and resurrection to His followers, Id like to take a minute to look forward to these three occurrences in particular. By calling Matthew, Jesus was proclaiming that no one would be excluded from his movementnot even those society considered irredeemable. 10. Verse Concepts. Pleasurable Perplexity: Reflecting the Holy City. The Jewish Quarterly Review 108, no. Hes mentioned in all three Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), and listed among the disciples in Acts. as members of a sect called the Zealots." Luke 3:23 says that he was about age thirty when he began his ministry. Due to this viewpoint, there is some variation in their ages, with John presumably being the youngest and Peter maybe being the oldest due to the fact that he had previously been married. No one dared to disagree with them since their judgments were enforced by Roman soldiers. (Matthew 20:20-24; Mark 10:20-24). Only one (and its analogues) provides us with any significant information about him. Students (or disciples) were often younger than their teachers in Jewish culture. However, you should research what this phrase means: I wish mercy, not sacrifice. Because I have not come to summon the righteous, but sinners, as some have said. (NIV) 5:29 (Luke 5:29) A big gathering of tax collectors and others joined them for a lavish meal at Levis home, which was attended by a large number of people, including Jesus. 'He should be growing old like me!' . It feels like a lifeline to me right now. 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