Name

In Matthew's Gospel, he is called Matthew, in Mark and Luke he is called Levi. His name may have been Matthew-Levi, or Jesus may have renamed him Matthew. In Hebrew, Mattija probably means gift of Yahweh and is shortened to Mattai in post-biblical Hebrew. In Greek, he is sometimes called Maththaios and sometimes Matthaios.

Birthplace

Galilee

Father's name

Alpheus (Mark 2:14)

Previous employment

Tax collector

Previous workplace

The Custom House, Capernaum, Galilee

Previous employer

Herod 'The Fox' Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee

Patron saint of

Bankers

Symbol or emblem

An Angel, or winged man, carrying a lance in his hand.

Feast Day

The Latin Church celebrates the feast of St Matthew on 21 September, the Greek Church celebrates him on 16 November

Martyrdom

He was probably martyred, but sources disagree as to where this occurred and whether he was burned, stoned or beheaded.

Matt 9:9, Mark 2:14, Luke 5:27

Jesus calls him to be a disciple.

Luke 5:29

Jesus attends a dinner given by 'Levi'. The other guests include tax-collectors and sinners and Jesus is criticised by the Pharisees.

Luke 6:18, Mark 3:18, Matt. 10:3, Acts 1:13

Listed as an apostle.

Papias c. 130 AD

Gives us the first recorded association of Matthew with the Gospel that bears his name.

St Irenaeus, an early church father

Matthew preached among the Hebrews.

St Clement of Alexandria

Matthew preached to the Hebrews for 15 years.

Eusebius, 4th C Bishop of Caesarea

He gave the Hebrews the Gospel in their mother tongue before going to other countries.

Countries evangelised

Include Ethiopia to the south of the Caspian Sea (not the African country), Persia, Parthia, Macedonia and Syria.

When was it written

Towards the end of the first century AD. Early traditions say it was the first Gospel to be written, sometime between 42 AD and 50 AD. Scholars argued that it must have been written before the Romans destroyed the Temple in 70 AD, because the Gospel talks of the Holy City, its altar and temple as still existing. Jesus prophesied that the temple would be destroyed. Supporters of an early date argue that it would be strange if the Gospel was written after 70 AD, but did not refer to the fulfilment of this prophesy. Others argue against this, quoting a passage in the parable of the wedding feast as referring to the event: '... and the rest seized his servants, maltreated them and killed them. The King was furious. He despatched his troops, destroyed those murderers and burnt their town.' Matt 22:6-7
However, many modern scholars think that it was written after 70 AD, possibly as late as 90 AD, during the reign of the Roman Emperor Vespasian. This is because it uses Mark, the earliest of the Gospels, as a source. Mark's Gospel was not written until about 70 AD.

Where was it written

There is nothing definitive. Some authorities think it was written in Palestine, while others suggest another early Christian centre such as Antioch in Syria.

Who wrote it

We don't know. The author was probably not St Matthew, but he was almost certainly a Jew. He wrote mainly for Christians of Jewish origin and the Gospel often refers knowledgeably to Jewish law, scriptures and customs. Given the date and his theological outlook, he was probably a Christian Jew of the second generation, not of the generation of the apostles. It was originally thought that he wrote in Aramaic, the 'Hebrew tongue' mentioned in the Gospels and Acts, but current thinking is that he wrote in Greek.

What is it famous for

Well-known sections include the Beatitudes (Blessed are the peacemakers etc.), the Lord's Prayer and the stories of the passion. These appear elsewhere in the Gospels, but Matthew's versions are the most widely read and quoted.

Passages unique to this Gospel show Jesus as the fulfilment of the Old Testament prophesies about the Messiah and emphasise the position of St Peter who holds 'the keys of the Kingdom of heaven' Matt 16:19. The Passage 'And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church' Matt 16:18 has become the basis of the Roman Catholics' belief in the divine institution of the papacy.

Part 1 Introduction

This traces Jesus' family tree back to King David and contains stories of his early life, including the visit of the Magi, the flight into Egypt and Herod's massacre of male children.

Part 2 Narrative-Discourse 1

Jesus' baptism by John and the start of his ministry. This includes the Sermon on the Mount, the Beatitudes and the Lord's Prayer.

Part 3 Narrative-Discourse 2

This contains examples of Jesus' healing ministry. He commands his disciples to heal and preach to the Jews.

Part 4 Narrative-Discourse 3

It is at this point that Jesus begins to face mounting hostility from the Pharisees. He describes the kingdom of heaven in parables including the sower, the weeds and the mustard seed.

Part 5 Narrative-Discourse 4

Jesus is rejected by the people of Nazareth and John the Baptist is executed. Jesus performs miracles and heals the sick. Jesus' divine nature is revealed to the disciples. The church is founded and Jesus predicts his passion, resurrection and transfiguration. The discourse covers the administration of the church.

Part 6 Narrative-Discourse 5

All the previous narratives have been set in Galilee. Jesus now travels on his final journey to Jerusalem. In the city, he drives the moneychangers from the Temple and has a series of disputes with the Sadducees and Pharisees. The last discourse has two parts. In the first he further criticises the scribes and Pharisees. In the second he describes the signs of his return in glory and the end of the world, the coming of the kingdom of heaven and the last judgement.

Part 7 The Passion

Jesus is anointed, betrayed at the Last Supper and arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane. He is tried, crucified, dies and is buried.

Part 8 The Closing Narrative

Jesus, now resurrected, appears to Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James, as well as to his disciples back in Galilee. He sends his disciples out to teach all nations.