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[[Image:Saint Matthew.jpg|left]]

[[Image:Saint Matthew.jpg|left]]

'''Matthew the Apostle''' (Saint Matthew in [[Catholic]] and [[Orthodox Church|Orthodox]] traditions} is the writer of the first [[Gospel]] in the [[New Testament]], The [[Gospel of Matthew]].  The name Matthew is derived from the Hebrew Mattija.  He was one of the [[Jesus]]' twelve disciples and became one of the more prominent [[Apostles]].

'''Matthew the Apostle''' (Saint Matthew in [[Catholic]] and [[Orthodox Church|Orthodox]] traditions) is the writer of the first [[Gospel]] in the [[New Testament]], The [[Gospel of Matthew]].  The name Matthew is derived from the Hebrew Mattija.  He was one of the [[Jesus]]' twelve disciples and became one of the more prominent [[Apostles]].

'''Feastday:'''  September 21, November 16.

'''Feastday:'''  September 21, November 16.

Matthew was the son of Alpheus, a [[Galilean]], and a tax collector by trade. Such a job was often associated with extortion and was therefore regularly despised, especially by the [[Pharisees]]. When called by [[Jesus]], he was sitting at a customhouse.  Matthew arose and followed the Lord, setting for him a feast in his house, where other tax collectors and [[sinner]]s reclined at table with Jesus and his disciples. This prompted a rebuke from the Pharisees, whereupon Jesus responded, "''I came not to call the just, but sinners.''"   

Matthew was the son of Alpheus, a [[Galilean]], and a tax collector by trade. Such a job was often associated with extortion and was therefore regularly despised, especially by the [[Pharisees]]. When called by [[Jesus]], he was sitting at a customhouse.  Matthew arose and followed the Lord, setting for him a feast in his house, where other tax collectors and [[sinner]]s reclined at table with Jesus and his disciples. This prompted a rebuke from the Pharisees, whereupon Jesus responded, "''I came not to call the just, but sinners.''"   

No more specific information concerning Matthew is found in the gospels though as one of the twelve he accompanied Jesus up to the time of His Passion and was one of the witnesses of the [[Last Supper]] and His [[Resurrection]]. He was also among the Apostles who were present at [[the Ascension]], and afterwards withdrew to an upper chamber, in [[Jerusalem]], praying in union with [[Mary]], the Mother of Jesus, and with his brethren ([[Book of Acts|Acts]] 1:10 and 1:14).'' <ref> [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10056b.htm St. Matthew]</ref>

No more specific information concerning Matthew is found in the gospels though as one of the twelve he accompanied Jesus up to the time of His Passion and was one of the witnesses of the [[Last Supper]] and His [[Resurrection]]. He was also among the Apostles who were present at [[the Ascension]], and afterwards withdrew to an upper chamber, in [[Jerusalem]], praying in union with [[Mary]], the Mother of Jesus, and with his brethren ([[Book of Acts|Acts]] 1:10 and 1:14).'' <ref>[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10056b.htm St. Matthew]</ref>

From the [[Church Fathers]] we learn that Matthew composed his gospel first, and we are also given the tradition that he preached the Gospel among the Jews and eventually evangelized the region south of the [[Caspian Sea]].  Other traditions add [[Persia]], [[Macedonia]], and [[Syria]].  All ancient testimony, with the exception of [[Heracleon]], states that he died a [[martyr]].

From the [[Church Fathers]] we learn that Matthew composed his gospel first, and we are also given the tradition that he preached the Gospel among the Jews and eventually evangelized the region south of the [[Caspian Sea]].  Other traditions add [[Persia]], [[Macedonia]], and [[Syria]].  All ancient testimony, with the exception of [[Heracleon]], states that he died a [[martyr]].

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[[category:12 Disciples]]

[[Category:12 Disciples]]

[[Category:Saints]]

[[Category:Saints]]

[[Category:Martyrs]]

[[Category:Martyrs]]