Matthew was, in fact, a thief and a criminal. Above and beyond the required government sum and a fair wage for his own efforts, the tax collector used the force at his disposal to rob the population and enrich himself. by Shawn Brasseaux. So, why would he change his name to Matthew? Matthew name was not changed as the book is called the gospel book of Matthew he was refered to Levi. His name was Levi and known to us as Matthew. Levi was usually called Matthew. He literally went after Jesus, walking along as Jesus led. Matthew, Mark, and Luke bring the two stories togetherthe story of the paralyzed man and the story of Levi (Matt. 1. All three gospel account record nearly the same thing, but Matthew 9:12 & 13 gives a fuller account of Jesus response. LeviMatthew: same guy. The answer is very simple. Jesus sees Matthew (AKA Levi), a tax collector, sitting in his tax office. Like all the gospels, Matthew is actually an anonymous document, and our attribution of it to Matthew is based on the consensus of Church Fathers in the 2nd century. Matthew recorded Jesus words, The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. (Matthew 9:9, N.K.J.V.) They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus calls one such man a disciple. Dear disciple Matthew, you did it so quickly and consistently, right? And He said to him, 'Follow Me.'. Matthew 4:21-22. His must have been a profitable position. First, Levi got up, left everything, and went The passage stresses the public nature of this summons. He did not deny Levi's problem. The very next scene in the gospel reads: And as [Jesus] sat at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples (Mt 9:10). The Patristic Traditions about the Evangelist Matthew. Matthew gave a large banquet for Jesus at his house. Jesus tells him to get up and Follow Me, which Matthew does. Also Known as: Bartholomew Known for: Nathanael has the distinction of being the first recorded person to confess belief in Jesus as the Son of God and Savior.When Nathanael accepted Jesus' call, he became his disciple. They would have been called 'Judenrats'. ILL: Centuries ago workmen drug a great marble block into the city of Florence, Italy. Jesus and the Pharisees. Well, you can open your Bible to Mark chapter 2 as we continue our study of this wonderful account of the life of our Lord Jesus Christ. He was a witness to the resurrection and the Ascension of Jesus Christ and became a missionary, spreading the gospel. italian restaurant st annes; buick regal tourx for sale carmax; what are the names of jethro's daughters. Not only did He change it, He threw it out altogether. And the change of life that becoming a Christian would make. i. When Jesus chose Levi, He chose a guy nobody wanteda rejecta turd! Interpretation: In verse 31, Luke relates our sinful hearts and minds with physical sickness, and Jesus with a physician. Can you believe that this was the guy that everyone hated?? Several theories have been offered to account for why the toll collector Levi was re-named Matthew in Matthew 9:9 (cf. Christ heals one sick of the palsy. He was the third-born, and his mother was Jacobs wife Leah. By the way, Levis other name is Matthewthe author of the gospel that bears his name. (18-22) He justifies his disciples for plucking corn on the sabbath. Commands for another world. 14 As He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting in the tax booth, and He said to him, Follow Me! And he got up and followed Him. No questions asked, they just left. The takeaway. During Jesus' discipleship, He traveled through a town called Capernaum. Also called Levi, Matthew was not a stand-out character in the Bible; He is only mentioned by name in the lists of apostles and in the account of his calling. They didnt help their father bring in the boat or finish the day of work or anythingthey left immediately. The Bible contains two different genealogical records for Jesus: one in Matthew , the other in Luke . Both are true because Matthew and Levi are two names for the same person. One possibility (imagined by Hagner [lxxvi]) is that the author of the first Gospel was, in fact, the tax collector mentioned in the Gospel, and that he preferred his post-Jesus name (Matthew) to his traditional pre-Jesus name (Levi). Therefore, (as most Christians will admit) some jots and tittles of the law have passed away -- but by no means all of the law. The message of Jesus is for EVERYONE! We see, as an example, Peter also being called Simon ( Matt. They were despised and called traitors by fellow Jews. Born in Palestine sometime in the 1st century, Saint Matthew was one of Jesus's 12 apostles and also one of the four Evangelists, according to the Bible. OUTLINE Assuming that the identification of Matthew with Levi is correct, Matthew (probably meaning Yahwehs Gift) would appear to be the Christian name of Levi (called by Mark Levi the son of Alphaeus), who had been employed as a tax collector in the service of Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee. The Romans were the oppressors at the time of Jesus and the tax collectors at the time were Jews who collected for the Romans. 3. We know this because Lukes gospel tells us that Mary was a relative of Elizabeth, who was a descendant of Aaron .. Following the Resurrection Matthew became one of the Apostles, as did all the Twelve disciples apart from Judas. PURPOSE Matthew wrote his Gospel to show that Jesus of Nazareth, Gods Son and Davids promised heir, is the King of Israel, who brought Gods kingdom into the world and into the hearts of believers. One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the law (Scribes) were sitting there. If you think of yourself as a good person, you should be alarmed. Both occurrences coincide with Jesus calling of Levi/Matthew, so it is likely Jesus changed Levis name once he became Jesus disciple, just as He did for Simon Peter. And he was to become one of Jesus's disciples. The calling of Levi is another incident that occurs as Jesus is moving (Mark 2:13-14). HOW CAN JESUS CHRIST BE A PRIEST IF HE IS OF THE NON-PRIESTLY TRIBE OF JUDAH? He encountered a man named Levi, whom we now know as Matthew, sitting at his tax collector booth on the side of a busy and congested road. According to Matthew 9:9 and Mark 2:14, Matthew was sitting Mark 2.13-14: 13 And He went out again by the seashore; and all the people were coming to Him, and He was teaching them. Quick answer: Jesus, by the word "fulfill," meant that he would confirm and complete the prophetic and typological parts of the Law and Prophets. II. None of the famous kings of the Old Testament. Jesus Response Matthew 9:14-15; Mark 2:17; Luke 5:31-32. 2. I could transform the hardened sinner in me into a committed disciple like you! He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. So he arose and followed Him" ( Matthew 9:9. When Jesus saw Matthew, sitting at his customs table, Jesus must have seen how the people despised this tax collector. Explain your answer. Both occurrences coincide with Jesus calling of Levi/Matthew, so it is likely Jesus changed Levis name once he became Jesus disciple, just as He did for Simon Peter. The fourth Levi was a son of Jacob. He was the third-born, and his mother was Jacobs wife Leah. Jesus teaching here is confronting the popular misuse and abuse of the Old Testament law, known as the law of retaliation, in Latin, the Lex Talionis .. Why do people change their names? Chapter 2. apostle and tax collector Matthew, also named Levi. For two reasons *Jews did not like the men who did that work. People had to pay taxes to the *Romans. What does this say about hearts and minds? 4. The Jewish leaders could not believe Jesus would even be near a Judenrat. In Matthew 16, we get the explanation of why. 9:2-9; Mark 2:3-14; Luke 5:17-28). Then all the tribes of the land will mourn and will see the son of man coming upon the clouds of heaven with power and much grandeur. 29-30) We read this morning a section from the gospel, according to Saint Luke, and it began with that with Jesus inviting a man called Levi, who was actually also known as Matthew. But if you confess, I am a sinner, you have the promise of HOW CAN JESUS CHRIST BE A PRIEST IF HE IS OF THE NON-PRIESTLY TRIBE OF JUDAH? Share. 1. Matthew, Mark, and Luke bring the two stories togetherthe story of the paralyzed man and the story of Levi (Matt. 16:16 ). The tax collector's position was virtually defined as the opportunity to practice unlimited graft and extortion. The story of Matthews calling shows us the amazing power of Gods grace and how it transforms people and become extraordinary servants of our Creator. Indeed, Levi is Israels priestly tribe, as stated in the Bible: The priests the Levites the priests the Levites the priests the Levites (Deuteronomy 17:9, 17:18, 18:1).High priest Aaron and his sons were descendants of Levi (Exodus 4:14), Levi being a son The law of life shall be for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, etc. There are two Levis of significance in the Bible. 9:2-9; Mark 2:3-14; Luke 5:17-28). Matthew also recognized that this gift of God was meant for others and not only for himself. The Jewish leaders could not believe Jesus would even be near a Judenrat. He did not deny Levi's problem. He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. Its as if Luke followed the family line of Jesus through the back doors and side alleys or secret closets on the trail of some nobodies. If I counted correctly Jesus is found offering this invitation over twenty times in the Four Gospels. Indeed, Levi is Israels priestly tribe, as stated in the Bible: The priests the Levites the priests the Levites the priests the Levites (Deuteronomy 17:9, 17:18, 18:1).High priest Aaron and his sons were descendants of Levi (Exodus 4:14), Levi being a son No Solomon. The person most often intended when referring to Levi in the Bible, however, is Leah's third son born to Jacob who became the head of the tribe of Levites. Wiki User. He gathered taxes from Hebrew-speaking Jews. It's very unlikely, then, that Matthew is the Levi referred to in Mark 2:14 and Luke 5:27. The reading for the Saturday after Ash Wednesday (March 5) is the call of Matthew, the apostle who was a tax collector. The most obvious reason for Levi to have changed his name to Matthew would be that Matthew was his post-conversion/post-commission name. My theory is that for one thing John and Peter were closer to Jesus. Christ saves sinners, not pretty good people. Matthew did follow Jesus for the rest of his life. Matthew is the Greek name and Levi was the Hebrew name. Later, Levi threw a great party for Jesus so that he might introduce him to his friends and associates (Luke 5:29). Bl. During Christ's earthly ministry they were disciples, afterwards apostles. Bible References: He got up and followed him. He is called the Alpha and Omega, the Almighty One in Revelation 1:8, the Bread of Life in John 6:35, the Bridegroom in Matthew 9:15, and Messiah in John 1:41. And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick. Matthew was so happy that he held a banquet at his house for Jesus. Now, Levi is a good Jewish name and probably points to Levi/Matthew as having been from the tribe of Levi, and thus having a Levitical or even priestly background. Jesus calls Levi while teaching a crowd (Mark 2:14), and Levi is initially seen sitting at the tax booth. His employment would make him a figure of contempt for many of his Galilean contemporaries. Thaddeus (one of Jesus brothers, also called Jude ) was shot to death with arrows. As a tax collector, Matthew worked for Greek-speaking Romans. Matthew comes from the Hebrew, mattija meaning, the gift of the Lord. Eating with sinners can be tough sometimes. He didn't say, "Levi isn't all that bad." So why did Jesus do it? Levi's work was to take the money. Regarding Matthew, Bauckham argues (108-12) that it's highly unlikely that a first-century Jew living in Israel would have had two Semitic personal names as common as Matthew and Levi. Matthew 9.9: 9 As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man called Matthew, sitting in the publican's booth [ ]; and He says to him, "Follow Me!" Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?. Were going to be looking at verses 13 to 17, One day, Jesus met Levi, the tax collector. This Gospel comes from Luke: Jesus saw a tax collector They had come (to observe Jesus) from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. Jesus asked His disciples (not just Peter) a question about who people think that Jesus is (Matthew 16:13). The Gospel of Matthew is clear in purpose, and is unique in it's role in the Scriptures. Matthew the Apostle, also known as Saint Matthew and possibly as Levi, was, according to the New Testament, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus.According to Christian traditions, he was also one of the four Evangelists as author of the Gospel of Matthew, and thus is also known as Matthew the Evangelist, a claim rejected by most biblical scholars, though the "traditional Jesus saw Matthew (Levi) sitting at the tax collectors booth (Matthew 9:9c; Mark 2:14b; Luke 5:27c). God can change our lives just like this. Matthew got up, left everything and followed Jesus. Many think that just as Simon was named Peter (the rock) by the Lord, Levi was likewise renamed Matthew (the gift of God) by Jesus. The call of Levi (Matthew). There can be many reasons, some perfectly legitimate like adoption or marriage and some not so legitimate, such as aliases for criminal purposes. Some people might be tempted to think that being a true disciple of Jesus means you need to be seminary trained. One is Levi the tax collector who became one of Jesus' twelve disciples, better known as Matthew ( Matthew 9:9; Luke 5:27 ). Inspired by: The Gospel According to Matthew 9:9-13. Also Known as: Bartholomew Known for: Nathanael has the distinction of being the first recorded person to confess belief in Jesus as the Son of God and Savior.When Nathanael accepted Jesus' call, he became his disciple. Jesus hand-selected him to be one of the twelve apostles. Interpretation: Why did Levi (Matthew) leave everything to follow Jesus, even throwing him a huge feast and inviting his co-workers and friends? (27-28) A tax collector is called to follow Jesus. And this was what possibly led the evangelist to elect Matthew to replace the tax collector named Levi, thus better representing the discipleship mission. So yes, Levi became a disciple immediately. 2011-09-13 16:25:49. One did not give up collecting taxes for the Romans on a whim and expect to ever return. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into the harvest field. Matthew wants people to know that Jesus is calling them to goall are needed to be witnesses for Jesus. Matthew was a Levite from the priestly tribe of Levi, making his role that of writing on Christs priesthood. We know that he was called by Jesus and we know that he kept following Jesus. Turning water to wine. He knew about Levi's heart of stone. Jesus calls one such man a disciple. The literal meaning of the name Peter ( Petros) is stone, boulder, or rock. Ask them to think of someone to share Jesus with this week. There are lots of ways that Jesus is named in the Bible. Matthew, whose purpose is to present Jesus as king of the Jews, starts with Abraham, the father of the Hebrew nation, and traces the line of descent through the royal line of David all the way down to Jesus. He didn't say, "Levi isn't all that bad." Or being a true disciple only applies to those in their 20s and 30s, not for those in the 80s and 90s, and certainly not for teens. Matthews genealogy looks right since it leads to Jesus through David and his son Solomon. For example, when Jesus approached Levi the tax collector and said to him, Follow me, Levi got up, left everything, and followed him (Luke 5:28). Matthew is traditionally identified as the author of the Gospel of Matthew. The gospel transformed a hated tax collector and made him into a faithful disciple of Jesus. Jesus asked him to be a *disciple (Matthew 9:9). 3. Oh, my friend, how i wish! by Shawn Brasseaux. Matthew got up and went with him. Matthew left everything and followed Jesus. This answer is: They would have been called 'Judenrats'. Jesus saw his potentialchange agent. Many tax collectors and other sinners were also there. Matthew, the Apostle of Yahshua (Popularly known as Jesus Christ) is best known as the publican or tax collector. (23-28) Verses 1-12 It was this man's misery that he needed to be so carried, and shows the suffering state of human life; it was kind of those who so carried him, and The fourth Levi was a son of Jacob. So he arose and followed Him. Why would the author of Matthew make this change? Matthew probably made a lot of money collecting taxes, but he left it to be with Jesus. What was Jesus' first miracle? He said to him, "Follow me." Levi was a tax collector. They kept it for themselves and became very rich. beaumont inpatient rehab royal oak He knew about Levi's heart of stone. Matthew. Matthew (also known as Levi) doubtless was one of the tax collectors who responded to John the Baptists call to repentance. 14 As He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Later, Jesus and his disciples were having dinner at Matthew's house. The Romans were the oppressors at the time of Jesus and the tax collectors at the time were Jews who collected for the Romans. Matthew comes from the Hebrew, mattija meaning, the gift of the Lord. Levi, on the other hand, is related to the Hebrew word meaning to take. Bl. Rabanus Maurus recognizes a mystical signification to these two names: As Jesus passed on from there. Answer (1 of 4): In Mark, the first New Testament gospel written, Matthew and Levi are very definitely two different people. Matthew invited his friends to come and meet Jesus. (Matthew was also called Levi. Wiki User. Third, Matthew Wanted to Tell Others about Christ. (13-17) Why Christ's disciples did not fast. Bible References: Matthew 11.28-30 Mark 8.34 Matthew 9.9-13 Mark 2.13-17 Luke 5.27-31. Matthew (Matthaeus) is interpreted as hasty gift, or as giver of counsel. The Gabbai were general tax collectors. This is mere conjecture, but it does make sense of the data. As Jesus was leaving, he saw a tax collector named Matthew sitting at the place for paying taxes. The difference between a disciple and an apostle is that a disciple learns and an apostle teaches. One day, Jesus met Levi, the tax collector. Hyperbole and impossible. 2011-09-13 16:25:49. He was a witness to the resurrection and the Ascension of Jesus Christ and became a missionary, spreading the gospel. Jesus did not come to call good people, but to call sinners to repentance. Tax collectors were absolutely despised by their own culture because they worked for the Roman government and enriched themselves by collecting taxes from their own peopleoften dishonestly collecting excessive amounts (see Luke 19:8 ). As Jesus passed by from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax collection office. It is the contracted name of Mattathias. Later, Jesus and his disciples were having dinner at Matthew's house. How come only five disciples of Jesus Christ wrote books in the New Testament? Matthew the apostle had been a dishonest tax collector driven by greed until Jesus Christ chose him as a disciple. 4. It is likely that Matthew (meaning gift of God) was the name Jesus gave to Levi after his conversion. A little Levi, on the other hand, is related to the Hebrew word meaning to take. 15 And it happened that He was reclining at the table in his house, and many tax collectors and sinners were dining with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many of them, and they were following Him. You can also change some of your preferences. Levi follows Jesus and becomes one of Jesus disciples. Again crowds come to him, and he begins teaching them. Matthew 10:2, Mark 3:16, and Luke 6:14 all record that Jesus changed Simons name to Peter. Matthew 24:30-31 (my translation, compare NIV) 30 Then will shine the sign of the son of man in heaven. After some healing by Jesus he meets Levi son of Alphaeus who was a tax collector and he then asks Levi (better known as Matthew ) to follow him (Mark 2:14 and Matthew 9:9). The simple and literal answer is that two things happened after Jesus called Levi to join him. The story of Matthews calling reminds us that what creates change is not legalism, it is the gospel. Sometimes the men took too much money. And He said to him, Follow Me.. All Jews were descended from Abraham. Many tax collectors and other sinners were also there. Matthew name was not changed as the book is called the gospel book of Matthew he was refered to Levi. The twelve apostles were Simon (Peter), Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew (Nathanael), Thomas, Matthew (Levi), James, Thaddaeus (Judas), Simon, and Judas Iscariot. These arent names, like Cathy or Tonybut theyre good descriptions nonetheless. lake elsinore news shooting. Mark chapter 2. Levi the Tax Collector becomes Matthew the Disciple. When Jesus heard about what the scribes and Pharisees were saying, He then went out and talked with them directly. In Mark 2:14, Jesus calls Levi, a tax collector and son of Alphaeus, to follow him, much as Jesus calls other disciples, How I wish to replace the Roman and Herodian Masters in my life with Jesus as my Master and Messiah! His name got changed to Matthew and he even wrote a book in the Bible. But Jesus was not descended from David, who was from the tribe of Judah, through his mother Mary, because she was instead a descendant of Aaron from the tribe of Levi. They collected property tax, The Gospel of Matthew presents the Messiah, the promised Savior, the King of the Jews. Matthews name (in Greek = Mathios) sounds like the word disciple (in Greek = mathets). 5 Article Rating Little else is known about Matthew. Posted on May 8, 2021 by russellmckinney. 2. Jesus invited Matthew the tax collector, Follow me." He shows the fulfillment of the law in Christ, and God's redemptive sacrifice fulfilled in Christ. Today, you are going to make a craft to remind you of the banquet that Matthew had for Jesus. His name was Levi and known to us as Matthew. It is unknown why Levi is called Matthew in this gospel. JESUS CALLS MATTHEW, THE TAX COLLECTOR CHRIST ASSOCIATES WITH SINNERS TO HELP THEM For a short time after healing the paralytic, Jesus remains in the area of Capernaum by the Sea of Galilee. (1-12) Levi's call, and the entertainment given to Jesus. The meaning of Levi and of Matthew. Gospel of Mark Mark the Evangelist is the earliest known source in the Bible to mention James, son of Alphaeus as one of the twelve Apostles. Young's Literal Translation And Jesus passing by thence, saw a man sitting at the tax-office, named Matthew, and saith to him, 'Be following me,' and he, having risen, did follow him. Theres Levi/Matthewbut theres no indication that Jesus renamed him rather than simply that he went by two different names, a Hebrew/Aramaic name, and a Greek name. Matthew (also called Levi, a tax collector) Matthew was crucified in Alexandria. Jesus was calling for anyone and everyone to follow. Matthew got up and went with him. The only reason why Peter did what Jesus asked was because he believed in Jesus, not because the circumstances seemed right. (vv. Today Both our lessons will be about becoming Changed People by hearing Jesus say Come Follow Me. Answer (1 of 2): Thank you for the question of the identification of Levi and Matthew, In the Synoptic Gospels, is the tax collector Levi the same person as the Apostle Matthew? In order to address the identification of Levi and Matthew, I find it St. Matthew, also called St. Matthew the Evangelist, St. Matthew the Apostle, or Levi, (flourished 1st century ce, Palestine; Western feast day September 21, Eastern feast day November 16), one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ and the traditional author of the first Synoptic Gospel (the Gospel According to Matthew). Why did Jesus become angry in the temple courtyard? Jesus said to him, "Come with me." Matthew shows ages of prophecy to be fulfilled in Christ. He did not condone the activities of sinners, but required repentancea change of mind that recognizes Jesus Christ as the only Savior. As he walks on, he sees Matthew, who is also called Levi, sitting at the tax office. While, here I am! Notice Jesus calls a totally unlikely candidate. So why did Jesus do it? And he got up and followed Him. The Romans were their enemies. Why, then, did the Gospel of Matthew change the name of the collector, and call him Matthew? What name did Levi give himself after he became Jesus' disciple? Matthew had two names, Matthew and Levi. Matthew was appointed the tax collector there. Contemplating the Call of Matthew. Followship. Chronological Bible Studies Home; About Us; Blog; Contact; Forgiveness and Peace; Frequently Asked Questions; Message by Franklin Graham Tax collectors were Jewish citizens who collaborated with the Roman occupying forces. Mark's Gospel mentions both Matthew and Levi separately, referring to Levi, son of Alphaeus as a tax collector whom Jesus called to follow him (Mark 2:14). This was common (or at least not especially rare) in Judaea and Galilee at the time, and would have been particularly likely for a tax collec Continue Reading Bill Puka Judas (also called Iscariot), after betraying his Lord, hanged himself. Jesus said to him, "Come with me." Reply. As Jesus was leaving, he saw a tax collector named Matthew sitting at the place for paying taxes. But Lukes looks odd. According to Jewish writings there were two kinds of tax collectors, the Gabbai and the Mokhes.