The Twelve
Matthew (Levi)
The Tax Collector Transformed
Description
A publican (tax collector) called from the receipt of custom, Matthew left all to follow Christ. His occupation, despised by fellow Jews as collaboration with Rome, made his calling a demonstration of grace. His Gospel presents Christ as King of Israel.Matthew's detailed attention to financial matters and numerical precision in his Gospel reflects his accounting background. His great feast for Christ (Luke 5:29) demonstrated both his wealth and his desire to introduce his former associates to the Savior.
Key Verses
And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.