The Definition of the word Matthew

Matthew

Gift of God, a common Jewish name after the Exile. He was the "son of Alphaeus, and was a publican or tax-gatherer at" "Capernaum. On one occasion Jesus, coming up from the side of the" "lake, passed the custom-house where Matthew was seated, and said" "to him, "Follow me." Matthew arose and followed him, and became" his disciple (Matt. 9:9). Formerly the name by which he was "known was Levi (Mark 2:14; Luke 5:27); he now changed it," "possibly in grateful memory of his call, to Matthew. The same" "day on which Jesus called him he made a "great feast" (Luke" "5:29), a farewell feast, to which he invited Jesus and his" "disciples, and probably also many of old associates. He was" afterwards selected as one of the twelve (6:15). His name does not occur again in the Gospel history except in the lists of the apostles. The last notice of him is in Acts 1:13. The time and manner of his death are unknown.