Who was the Apostle Matthew
The Apostle Matthew, also known as Saint Matthew, was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus and is traditionally regarded as the author of the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament. His feast day is celebrated on September 21 in the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, and Anglican traditions.
Background
Matthew was originally a tax collector, a profession that was often despised by the Jewish people at the time, as tax collectors were seen as corrupt and collaborators with the occupying Roman authorities. In the Gospels, Matthew is referred to as “Levi,” particularly in Mark and Luke, suggesting that his original name might have been Levi and that he adopted the name Matthew (“gift of God”) after his call to discipleship.
The moment of his call by Jesus is a significant event in the Gospels:
- In the Gospel of Matthew (9:9-13), it is recounted that Jesus saw Matthew sitting at his tax booth and said, “Follow me.” Matthew immediately got up and followed Jesus, leaving behind his old life. This act symbolized Matthew’s complete conversion and commitment to a new path of righteousness.
- After Matthew’s call, Jesus dined with many tax collectors and sinners, causing the Pharisees to question why He would associate with such people. Jesus famously responded, “I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
Role in the Early Church
As one of the Twelve Apostles, Matthew would have been part of Jesus’ inner circle of followers and played a critical role in spreading the message of Christ after His resurrection. According to early Christian tradition, after Jesus’ ascension, Matthew preached the Gospel in Judea before traveling to other parts of the world to spread Christianity. Some traditions claim that he preached in Ethiopia, Persia, and parts of the Roman Empire, while other accounts associate him with missionary work in India.
Writings and Legacy
Matthew is credited with the authorship of the Gospel of Matthew, one of the four canonical Gospels. Written primarily for a Jewish audience, this Gospel emphasizes how Jesus fulfills Old Testament prophecies, portraying Him as the long-awaited Messiah. The Gospel also includes the Sermon on the Mount (chapters 5–7), one of the most profound and comprehensive teachings of Jesus.
The Gospel of Matthew uniquely focuses on:
- Jesus as the fulfillment of Jewish prophecy
- The Kingdom of Heaven
- The ethical teachings of Christ, especially those related to mercy, humility, and righteousness
Martyrdom and Feast Day
There are varying accounts regarding Matthew’s death. Some traditions suggest that he was martyred in Ethiopia, possibly by being killed with a sword. Other stories claim he died peacefully. Despite the ambiguity, he is honored as a martyr by many Christian traditions.
His feast day is celebrated on September 21 in the Western Christian calendar, while Eastern Christians may celebrate it on different dates. He is the patron saint of tax collectors, accountants, bankers, and all professions related to finance.
Key Virtue = Conversion and Transformation
Matthew’s life is a powerful example of conversion and transformation. From being a tax collector, an outcast in Jewish society, he became one of Jesus’ closest followers and a prominent figure in early Christianity. His life story emphasizes the power of redemption, showing that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace.
A taxcollector in Roman time
In Roman times, a tax collector (also called a “publican” in some English translations of the Bible) was a person responsible for collecting taxes on behalf of the Roman Empire. Tax collectors were often local citizens, sometimes from the provinces or subject peoples of Rome, who worked under the authority of the Roman government. In Judea and other parts of the Roman Empire, tax collectors played a vital role in maintaining the empire’s financial strength, but they were also widely despised.
The Roman Tax System
The Roman Empire had a complex system of taxation that funded its vast administrative, military, and public works. Key types of taxes included:
- Tribute: Taxes levied on conquered provinces or subject peoples.
- Poll Tax (Capitatio): A tax on individuals, essentially a head tax that everyone had to pay.
- Land Tax: Taxes on agricultural produce, land holdings, and property.
- Customs Duties: Taxes on goods brought into cities, ports, or regions.
To manage this system, Rome employed a method called tax farming.
Tax Farming
Under this system, Roman authorities would auction off the right to collect taxes in a specific region to private individuals or companies known as publicani. These tax collectors would prepay the expected amount of tax to the Roman treasury, then collect the taxes from the local population to reimburse themselves. They were allowed to keep any surplus as profit. This system incentivized corruption because tax collectors often overcharged the people to increase their personal profits.
Role of Tax Collectors
Tax collectors, especially in regions like Judea, had the following responsibilities:
- Collecting Taxes: They gathered various types of taxes from individuals, businesses, traders, and landowners.
- Customs and Duties: In regions with significant trade, tax collectors collected tolls and duties on goods transported through the region or across borders.
- Enforcing Payments: Tax collectors could take legal action or use force to ensure that people paid their taxes.
Reputation of Tax Collectors
Tax collectors were notorious for being unpopular in many parts of the Roman Empire, particularly among the Jewish population in Judea. Several factors contributed to their negative reputation:
- Collaboration with Rome: Tax collectors were seen as collaborators with the Roman occupiers. The Jewish people viewed the Roman Empire as oppressive and foreign, so anyone working for them, especially in the collection of taxes, was regarded with suspicion and hostility.
- Corruption and Extortion: Many tax collectors were corrupt and extorted more money than was required. Since tax collectors were incentivized by the profits they could make, they often overcharged people or demanded bribes. They would inflate the tax burden and keep the extra for themselves.
- Unclean Status: In the Jewish context, tax collectors were often considered ritually “unclean” because they associated with Gentiles (non-Jews) and engaged in dishonest practices. This would have made them outcasts in Jewish society, barred from the synagogue, and looked down upon as morally corrupt.
- Social and Religious Outcasts: As a result of their perceived collaboration and dishonesty, tax collectors were considered sinnersin the eyes of many people. In the Gospels, tax collectors are often mentioned alongside other sinners, like prostitutes, emphasizing how marginalized they were in society.
Tax Collectors in the Gospels
The New Testament highlights several instances of Jesus interacting with tax collectors, which underscores His message of redemption and inclusion for even the most despised members of society. Key examples include:
- Matthew/Levi, the tax collector who became one of the twelve apostles after being called by Jesus (Matthew 9:9-13).
- Zacchaeus, the chief tax collector in Jericho, who was transformed by Jesus’ visit and pledged to repay those he had defrauded (Luke 19:1-10).
- The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14), in which Jesus contrasts the humble repentance of the tax collector with the pride of the Pharisee, emphasizing that those who humbly seek God’s mercy will be justified.
Conclusion
Tax collectors in Roman times, especially in regions like Judea, were essential yet highly unpopular figures. They were seen as corrupt, collaborators with an oppressive regime, and outcasts from their communities. Despite this, the figure of the tax collector in the Gospels symbolizes the power of redemption. Jesus’ outreach to tax collectors like Matthew and Zacchaeus illustrates that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace, and even those considered the greatest sinners can experience profound transformation.
Was Matthew a Levite?
There is some ambiguity around whether Matthew was a Levite, though it is suggested by his alternate name, Levi. In the Gospels of Mark (2:14) and Luke (5:27), Matthew is referred to as “Levi, son of Alphaeus.” This name could indicate a connection to the tribe of Levi, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, traditionally associated with religious and priestly duties. However, the New Testament does not explicitly state that Matthew belonged to the Levites, nor is there clear evidence tying him to this tribe.
The name Levi might suggest a priestly heritage, but it could also simply be a common name at the time. As a tax collector working for the Roman authorities, Matthew was likely viewed as estranged from traditional Jewish religious roles, including those of the Levites, whose main duties were related to temple service and religious life.
Thus, while his name “Levi” raises the possibility of Levite ancestry, there is no definitive scriptural or historical proof that Matthew was a Levite by tribe. His more significant role, as portrayed in the Gospels, is that of an apostle called by Jesus from a despised profession, symbolizing redemption and transformation rather than his potential Levite heritage.
Judean taxcollectors where not considered commoners
Tax collectors in Roman times, especially in provinces like Judea, were not considered commoners in the typical sense. While they were not part of the upper elite, they occupied a unique and often privileged position in society. Several factors distinguish tax collectors from commoners, both in terms of status and wealth:
1. Wealth and Economic Power
Tax collectors often accumulated significant wealth because of their role. Under the tax farming system, they had the right to collect taxes on behalf of Rome, and they frequently overcharged or demanded more than what was legally required. They kept the excess for themselves, which allowed many tax collectors to become quite wealthy. As a result, they were wealthier than the average common person, many of whom lived in poverty or worked in agriculture, fishing, or other modest trades.
2. Connection to the Roman Authorities
Tax collectors worked directly for the Roman authorities, which gave them a measure of protection and privilege that commoners did not have. They were viewed as collaborators with the occupying Roman forces, a position that came with both power and risk. Their connection to Rome provided them with certain advantages, such as access to Roman soldiers for enforcement of tax payments and legal authority over the population.
3. Despised but Powerful
While tax collectors were despised and shunned by Jewish society for their collaboration with Rome and corrupt practices, they were not powerless. Their position allowed them to exert control over people’s livelihoods, as they had the authority to demand taxes and use Roman enforcement to punish non-compliance. This power gave them a higher social standing than commoners, even if it came with a great deal of resentment.
4. Exclusion from Jewish Society
Though tax collectors were often wealthier and had more authority than commoners, they were social outcasts in the Jewish religious and social community. They were often considered sinners because they collaborated with the Gentile (non-Jewish) Roman occupiers and were associated with dishonesty and greed. As a result, they were frequently excluded from synagogues and religious life, despite their financial success.
5. Middle-Class Role
In many ways, tax collectors could be seen as part of a sort of middle class in the ancient world. They were not part of the aristocracy or ruling elite, but they were far wealthier and more powerful than ordinary laborers, farmers, or artisans. Their social position was unique, and they were often in conflict with both the common people and the elite, though for different reasons.
Conclusion
Tax collectors were not commoners in the typical sense because they wielded economic power and had connections to the Roman authorities, which gave them a measure of status. However, their wealth and influence did not translate into social acceptance or religious respect, particularly in places like Judea where they were seen as corrupt and traitorous. Their unique position—wealthy and powerful yet socially reviled—set them apart from both commoners and the elite.
Daily Saints Chronicle GPT
Adapts daily to celebrate saints and virtuous individuals.
