Apostle Matthew
Matthew is called from the tax booth and named among the Twelve. The Church receives him as the Evangelist associated with the first canonical Gospel.
Tradition note
The Church's received tradition identifies Matthew with the Evangelist. The relation between the names Matthew and Levi belongs to Synoptic comparison and reception rather than an explicit explanatory sentence in the text.
Scripture
- Matthew 9:9-13 — Jesus calls Matthew from the tax booth and eats with tax collectors and sinners.
- Matthew 10:2-4 — Matthew the tax collector is listed among the Twelve.
- Mark 2:13-17 — Mark narrates the calling of Levi son of Alphaeus.
- Luke 5:27-32 — Luke narrates Levi's call and banquet.
- Acts 1:13 — Matthew is named among the apostles after the Ascension.
Primary sources
Matthew's Gospel records the baptismal instruction:
In the Gospel's concluding commission to the eleven disciples, Jesus commands baptism in the name of the Father, the Son, and the holy Spirit.
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit,
Passage context and translation
Matthew 28:16-20 narrates the risen Jesus commissioning the eleven disciples in Galilee to make disciples of all nations, baptize, and teach. This baptismal clause is part of the Gospel's conclusion; it does not by itself establish the Evangelist's personal authorship or a separate commission to Matthew.
Before the excerpt
all nations,
After the excerpt
teaching them to observe