The Apostle Matthew, also known as Levi, was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ and the author of one of the Gospels of the New Testament.
He was the son of Alphaeus and, according to tradition, was born in Galilee. He worked as a tax collector — a publican — at Capernaum, which made him an object of contempt among many Jews, since the publican was regarded as a traitor in the service of the Roman occupying power.
Jesus called Matthew to follow him as he sat at his tax booth. The episode is recounted in the Gospel of Matthew (9:9–13), and its point is that Jesus came to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance.
After his calling Matthew became one of Jesus's closest disciples and shared in his ministry. Tradition holds that after the Resurrection he preached in various regions, among them Judea, Syria and, possibly, Ethiopia.
Matthew is regarded as the author of the Gospel that bears his name, the first in the New Testament. It dwells on the fulfilment of Old Testament prophecy and gives particular weight to Jesus's teaching on the Kingdom of God.
Of his death several accounts survive. Tradition says he was martyred for his faith, though the precise circumstances remain obscure.
Matthew is venerated as a saint in the Orthodox, Catholic and other Christian traditions. His feast falls on 21 September (New Style) in the Orthodox Church and on 16 November in the Catholic Church.
The Apostle Matthew stands as a figure of transformation and mercy, and his life and teaching continue to inspire believers.