who was Saint Matthew?

Answer 1

Matthew, otherwise known as Levi, was the cousin of Jesus, and the brother of James (the less), Judas (not iscariot), Joses, and Simon - although some of these were probably half-brothers. His father was Alphaeus/Cleophas, and his mother may have been Maria, the sister of Joseph.

Matthew worked as a tax collector in Capernaum, where he had imperial sanction to extort his fellow Jews. This, of course, gave him a bad reputation.

Jesus approached Matthew at the toll booth in Capernaum and said, "Follow me." Matthew prepared a feast for Jesus that night. When the Scribes and Pharisees criticized Jesus for eating a feast with the local tax collectors, Jesus responded "Those who are well do not need a doctor, but those who are sick..." From that time foward, Matthew became a disciple of Jesus.

Matthew was present when the resurrected Christ appeared to the other disciples, and so was numbered among the Apostles. According to tradition, Matthew was a missionary to the Jews, and composed the Gospel of Matthew in Aramaic (later re-written in the Greek form that appears in the Bible). Matthew eventually travelled to Ethiopia, where he was burned to death by a local ruler named Fulvian (who eventually converted to Christianity).

The Gospel of Matthew is well-written, and may have been composed in Greek, rather than the traditional Aramaic. It utilizes material drawn from the Gospel of Mark and the hypothetical 'Q' Gospel. Because he was writing to Jews, Matthew refers to the kingdom of God as the "Kingdom of Heaven," so as not to offend those who were sensitive about taking the name of God in vain.

In traditional iconography, Matthew is represented by an angel (the other three Evangelists are represented by a bull, a lion, and an eagle).

In the Orthodox Church, two hymns are sung to honor Matthew:

1. Troparion (Tone 3):
With zeal, you followed Christ the Master,
who in His goodness, appeared on earth to mankind.
Summoning you from the custom house,
He revealed you as a chosen apostle:
the proclaimer of the the Gospel to the whole world!
Therefore, divinely eloquent Matthew,
we honor your precious memory!
Entreat merciful God that He may grant our souls remission of transgressions.

2. Kontakion (Tone 4):
Casting aside the bonds of the custom house for the yoke of justice,
you were revealed as an excellent merchant, rich in wisdom from on high.
You proclaimed the word of truth
and roused the souls of the slothful
by writing of the hour of Judgment.

Answer 2

Tax collector, asked to walk with jesus-one of the 12 apostles and author of the book of Matthew.

Answer 3

A Jew, otherwise known as Levi, who became an apostle of Jesus Christ and the writer of the Gospel bearing his name.
He was the son of Alphaeus and was a tax collector before becoming one of Jesus’ disciples.
It appears that early in his ministry Jesus called Matthew from the tax office in or near Capernaum. Leaving everything behind, Matthew rose up and went following Jesus.’
Later, Jesus selected the 12 apostles, and Matthew was one of them.

Answer 4

A tax collector whom Jesus called to follow Him who later wrote the Gospel of Matthew.

Answer 5

a man who never forgot he was a sinner and is a great example. he was "one of HIs followers" and apostle of Christ who was a tax collector - a vile hated man in his time. even in the Gospel of Matthew -- he doesn't let it slide but writes, when listing the apostles names - Matthew, a tax collector.