Was Matthew In The Bible A Tax Collector?
Matthew is a figure prominently featured in the Bible and is best known as one of the original twelve disciples chosen by Jesus Christ. He is sometimes referred to as Levi and was an apostle who wrote the first book of the New Testament, the Gospel of Matthew. But what many don’t know is that he was also a tax collector before becoming an apostle.
The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke all agree that Matthew was a tax collector who worked for the Roman Empire. Tax collectors in ancient Rome were responsible for collecting money from citizens for taxation and for additional fees. While Matthew was certainly not alone in this role, it is certain that he was at the forefront of collecting money from his own people, the Jews.
In the Gospel of Matthew, there are several mentions of Matthew being a tax collector, or “publican,” as it is sometimes translated. In several passages, Jesus goes out of His way to seek out and invite Matthew to be an apostle and allow him to follow Him. This shows that Jesus was willing to forgive Matthew for his past and allowed him to be part of the ministry.
Matthew’s acceptance of the invitation to follow Jesus was revolutionary. Tax collectors were not respected by Jesus’ contemporaries and were often seen as traitors and undesirables. By publicly accepting Matthew, Jesus was making a statement about who was worthy to follow Him and about forgiveness for past misdeeds.
Matthew’s story serves as an example to believers that it is never too late to turn from one’s sinful ways and follow God. Jesus was willing to accept even the most reviled of persons and to forgive their sins. In accepting the invitation from Jesus, Matthew is an example to all believers that one can turn from a life of sin and be accepted by the Lord.
Matthew’s story also serves as an example of the power of repentance and forgiveness. Though Matthew had been a tax collector, and a source of pain and suffering to his own people, he was accepted and offered redemption when he chose to turn away from his old ways and accept Jesus’ invitation and embrace a life of faith and servitude. This serves as an example to all people of the power of repentance.
The Significance of Matthew in Biblical History
Matthew is not just an important figure in the New Testament; he is also an important figure in the history of the Bible. His role in writing the first book of the New Testament, the Gospel of Matthew, was indispensable for spreading the faith and establishing Christianity.
The gospel of Matthew was written in Greek and was easily understood by non-Hebrew speaking people. This made it easier for the early church to spread the gospel and convert more people to Christianity. The gospel of Matthew was also the first of the four canonical gospels and is therefore the basis for the other three. This significance has made Matthew’s gospel one of the most widely read and studied books of the Bible for centuries.
Matthew was also the first known evangelist, or preacher, of the early Christian Church. His gospel is believed to be the first book of the New Testament, and his role in spreading the gospel and preaching the teachings of Jesus is a major theme throughout the gospel and throughout Christian history.
In addition to writing the gospel of Matthew and being the first evangelist, Matthew was also directly responsible for influencing the early Church in Jerusalem. As a direct result of his preaching and evangelism, the leaders of this early Church were inspired to write a number of epistles that are now foundational to the Christian faith, such as the Epistle to the Philippians.
Matthew’s Place in Christian Tradition
Matthew is an important figure in Christian tradition and is often seen as an example of faith and obedience. His role as a tax collector turned apostle and evangelist has been used as an example of redemption for centuries and is often used to explain God’s willingness to forgive sinners and to accept them into His kingdom.
Matthew is also an important figure in Christian art and literature. He is frequently depicted in artwork and stained glass windows, and his story is often told in parables, songs, and stories. Through telling the story of his conversion to faith, Christians are reminded of the power of repentance and redemption, and of God’s willingness to forgive.
Matthew is also remembered as the patron saint of tax collectors. His story is remembered by tax collectors to this day as a reminder to follow their conscience, embrace a life of faith, and accept the mercy of God for their sins.
Matthew’s Message for Today
Matthew’s story is still relevant today as an example of redemption and repentance. His story reminds us that no sin is too great for God’s forgiveness and that one’s past should not be a barrier to accepting God’s mercy.
Matthew’s message also speaks to the importance of self-reflection and repentance. His story reminds us that it is never too late to turn away from sin and seek forgiveness. It is a reminder that God’s grace and mercy are ever-present and that no one should be held back from His love based on their past.
Finally, Matthew’s story reminds us that it is possible to overcome pain, suffering, and even what may seem to be insurmountable obstacles. His decision to accept Jesus’ invitation and embrace faith in the face of sin and hardship is an enduring example of strength and courage that speaks to each and every one of us.
What the Scriptures Say about Matthew
The Bible does not provide any direct information about Matthew’s life and ministry before his invitation to follow Jesus. However, it does provide some clear examples of his impact after his conversion. In the Gospel of Matthew, he is mentioned as one of the twelve disciples called by Jesus, and later in the Gospels, he is mentioned as the author of the Gospel of Matthew.
Additionally, Jesus offers a special invitation to Matthew in the Gospel of Matthew, which reads “Follow me,” a startling yet welcome invitation offered to someone who had been a tax collector. Matthew’s choice to follow Jesus changed everything, and his courage is remembered in the scriptures.
Matthew is also mentioned in the book of Acts, when the early church is established and numbers of people decide to follow Jesus. Matthew is listed among the first converts to the faith along with Peter and John. After his conversion, he became an important figure in Christian history, as evidenced by his role in writing the gospel, evangelism, and influencing the early Church.
Conclusion
Matthew is a prominent figure in the Bible whose story speaks to the power of God’s grace, mercy, and forgiveness. In spite of his past as a tax collector, Jesus was willing to accept him and offer redemption. His story serves as an important example of the power of repentance, faith, and courage in the face of great obstacles and is remembered in the scriptures and in Christian tradition today.
