Matthew
Who is Matthew? He is the disciple called by Jesus, counted among the Twelve apostles, and associated in Christian tradition with the Gospel bearing his name; his life is remembered through conversion, witness, and proclaimed good news.
Matthew is one of the important New Testament figures who enters discipleship at Jesus' call and is named among the Twelve apostles. After a past associated with tax collecting, his decision to follow Jesus makes his story stand out through the themes of calling and transformation. In the biblical narrative, his name appears both in the calling scene and in the lists of the disciples. In Christian tradition he is also associated with the Gospel of Matthew, so he is seen not only as a witness but also as an important figure in the transmission of the story of Jesus. In the sections below, Matthew's calling, his place among the apostles, and his appearance in Scripture can be examined more closely.
Read the chapters
- Matthew 9
- Matthew 10
- Mark 3
- Luke 6
- Acts 1
A chapter recounting how Jesus gives his disciples the task of being witnesses across the world and then departs from them, picturing the waiting that comes just before the birth of the church.
Related topics
Related places
Related verse collections
- Bible Verses About Prayer
- Bible Verses of Comfort
- Bible Verses About Forgiveness
- Bible Verses About Faith
- Bible Verses About Salvation
- Bible Verses About Repentance
- Bible Verses About Marriage
- Bible Verses About Money and Contentment
- Bible Verses About Humility
- Bible Verses About Generosity
- Bible Verses About Jesus
- Bible Verses About Witness
- Bible Verses About Loneliness
- Bible Verses About Healing
- Bible Verses About Peace and Rest
- Bible Verses About Mercy
- Bible Verses About Honesty
Reading plans
- The Bible for Beginners — 10 Days
- Holy Week — The Final Days of Jesus
- Two Weeks in the Parables of Jesus
- Advent — 24 Days to Christmas
- The Early Church Through Acts — 28 Days
- The Bible in a Year — 365 Days from Cover to Cover
- 30 Days with the Gospel — An Introduction to the New Testament
Related guides
- The Four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
Which are the four Gospels, how do they differ and why are there four? A short, neutral guide introducing Matthew, Mark, Luke and John and explaining the Synoptic Gospels.
Books
People in the Bible
What is Matthew best known for?
Matthew is best known for being one of the Twelve apostles called by Jesus. In Christian tradition, he is also remembered as the writer of, or foundational witness behind, the Gospel that bears his name.
Why is transformation emphasized in Matthew's story?
Because Matthew's calling highlights his leaving a former way of life in order to follow Jesus. For that reason, his story is often read as an example of how a response to divine calling can redirect a person's life.