Matthew

Matthew was a tax collector in the service of Herod Antipas, tetrarch  of Galilee. As such, he was hated by patriotic Jews and the general populace. Tax collectors most often increased the amount of money they charged the Jewish citizens, keeping some of it for themselves. So, Matthew was wealthy and well-educated – he knew both Greek and Aramaic. A Levite, he  was also very familiar with Jewish tradition and Scripture. Yet, he immediately gave up his high paying job and all the money he had collected to follow Jesus. That night, he threw a banquet for Jesus and included other tax collectors and sinners drawing intense criticism from the Pharisees. But, even though he followed Jesus during His three-year ministry, he was among the disciples who fled at Jesus’ crucifixion.

However, forty days later, and throughout the rest of his life, he unashamedly preached the gospel of Jesus, going as far away as Ethiopia (to the south of the Caspian Sea) and Egypt. Some early church authors even had him traveling also to Persia, Macedonia, and Syria. In addition, Matthew wrote the gospel bearing his name (attested by Papias – 95-110 AD, Irenaeus – 180 AD, and Origen – 185-254 AD, among others).

The accounts of his death are sparse and varied and are mostly from church tradition. But the majority say he was martyred – burned, stoned, or beheaded. One source says he was impaled to the earth by a spear and then beheaded.

What made this dramatic change in Matthew’s life? He said it was the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Now, if this was a lie, as some today argue, would any man go long distances from his home and die in such a horrendous manner for something he knew was a lie?