St. Matthew - Icon Profile | Alexandria
St. Matthew (Hebrew: Matityahu; Greek: Matthαios), also known as Levi, stands as one of Christianity's most enigmatic figures—a tax collector turned apostle whose transformation from Roman collaborator to evangelical author would permanently shape Christian theology and Western literature. As one of Jesus's twelve apostles and the traditionally attributed author of the first Gospel, Matthew bridges the Jewish and Christian traditions while remaining a figure of persistent scholarly debate.
The earliest historical references to Matthew appear in the Synoptic Gospels, where he is identified as a tax collector in Capernaum who abandoned his profession to follow Jesus, likely during the 1st century CE. This unusual background—tax collectors were generally despised in Jewish society for their collaboration with Roman authorities—adds a compelling dimension to his selection as an apostle and raises intriguing questions about social transformation in early Christianity.
The Gospel bearing Matthew's name, written approximately between 70-85 CE, represents the most comprehensive account of Jesus's teachings within the New Testament, though modern scholarship challenges traditional attributions of authorship. The text's sophisticated integration of Jewish prophecy with Christian theology suggests an author deeply versed in Hebrew scripture, leading to centuries of debate over Matthew's actual role in its composition. The Gospel's careful organization, including the famous Sermon on the Mount and structured teaching sections, reveals a masterful literary consciousness that would influence religious and secular writing for millennia.
Matthew's legacy extends far beyond biblical narrative into art, literature, and cultural symbolism. Renaissance masters like Caravaggio depicted his calling by Jesus in dramatic paintings that capture the moment of spiritual transformation. His traditional symbol—the winged man—appears in ecclesiastical art worldwide, while his feast day (September 21) remains significant in both Western and Eastern Christian traditions. Modern scholars continue to unravel the complexities of Matthew's identity, with some suggesting his tax collector background made him uniquely qualified to record Jesus's ministry through both Jewish and Gentile perspectives. Was Matthew's apparent expertise in both Jewish law and Roman administration a crucial factor in crafting a Gospel that would speak across cultural boundaries? The question continues to intrigue religious scholars and historians alike.
In contemporary culture, Matthew's story resonates with themes of transformation, redemption, and the power of radical life changes, while his Gospel's emphasis on social justice and ethical teaching maintains remarkable relevance in modern theological and philosophical discussions.