Bible Question:
Could you help me to identify Matthew? I find different identifications among the three Gospels: Mt 10:3 = “Matthew the tax collector” Mk 3:18 and Luke 6:15 = “Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus” Mk 2:14 = “He saw Levi, son of Alphaeus”
Bible Answer:
The New Testament refers to Matthew, the apostle, in eight places (Matthew 9:9-10; Mark 10:3; 2:14; 3:18; Luke 5:27; 6:15 and Acts 1:13). The following table gives us different descriptions of Matthew,
| Passage | Description |
|---|---|
| Matt 9:9 | He saw a man, called Matthew, sitting in the tax office |
| Mark 2:14 | He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting in the tax office |
| Luke 5:27 | He went out, and noticed a tax-gatherer named Levi, sitting in the tax office |
Who was Matthew? He was a tax-collector and a son of Alphaeus. Matthew had two names – his second name was Levi. It was not unusual in those days to have two names.
Matthew had a brother whose name was James, and he was also an apostle (Matthew 10:3). Usually, James is referred to as a son of Alphaeus because there were two apostles named James (Matthew 10:2-3). History says that both Matthew and James were tax-collectors, as well as their father.
Conclusion:
Matthew’s name means “gift of Yahweh.” He was a Jewish tax collector whom Jesus loved and cherished. He had the joy of serving Jesus and enjoyed the privilege of being used by Him.
To The Glory of Christ
Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me . . . Jeremiah 9:23-24
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