Matthew the Apostle, also known as Matthew the Evangelist, is one of the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus and is known for authoring the Gospel of Matthew.
Matthew the Apostle was one of Jesus' 12 special helpers, known as apostles. πHe is famous for writing the Gospel of Matthew, which is a book in the New Testament that tells the story of Jesus. Matthew was also a tax collector before he followed Jesus. He lived in a place called Galilee, which is in Israel. πKnowing about Matthew helps us learn more about Jesus and teaches us to be good friends and helpers, too! Let's dive into his exciting life! πβ¨
Matthew the Apostle, detail of the mosaic in the Basilica of San Vitale, Ravenna, 6th century
St Matthew and the angel
π’ Death And Martyrdom
Matthew's life was filled with giving and sharing, but it ended with sacrifice. π’According to tradition, he died as a martyr, meaning he was killed because he shared his beliefs about Jesus. While the exact details of his death arenβt clear, many stories say he was brave and continued spreading the message of love until the very end. This shows how dedicated he was and inspires us to stand up for what we believe in! πΉ
One day, while sitting at his tax booth, Jesus called to Matthew and said, "Follow me!" π£ This was a life-changing moment! Matthew immediately left everything behind β his money, his job, and his old life β to follow Jesus. βοΈ This story teaches us about making important choices and trusting in good things. Matthew became one of Jesus' closest friends and learned all about kindness, love, and sharing Godβs message. Let's see how he spread those teachings! π
Matthew the Apostle has been depicted in many beautiful artwork pieces. πΌοΈ Artists over the centuries have created paintings and sculptures showing him writing his Gospel, often accompanied by angelic figures. Some famous artists include Caravaggio and Rembrandt, who painted scenes of Matthewβs life. π¨These artworks help us visualize his importance and inspire us to explore our creativity! By looking at these masterpieces, we can learn more about Matthewβs story and the messages he shared. π
Matthew was born in Capernaum, a town by the Sea of Galilee. πBefore meeting Jesus, he worked as a tax collector. This job was important but often disliked because tax collectors collected money from people for the Roman Empire, and many viewed them as unfair. πBut Matthew had a big heart! When Jesus asked him to be a disciple, he left his job and followed Him. This showed that even if you have a challenging job, you can choose to do good things and help others! π
Feast days are special days to remember important people. Matthew's feast day is celebrated on September 21! πOn this day, Christians around the world remember his life and how he shared Jesus' teachings. Churches might have special prayers and services to honor him. π₯³By remembering people like Matthew, we connect with history and learn to be good, loving individuals, just like him! Itβs a day to think about how we can spread kindness, too! π
Matthew played a big role in teaching important ideas about God. πHe emphasized love, forgiveness, and caring for others. In his Gospel, Matthew records Jesus teaching us to love our enemies and treat others as we want to be treated (the Golden Rule!). πHe showed how Jesus fulfilled many promises made in the Old Testament, connecting the two parts of the Bible. These teachings are important for understanding Godβs love and how we should live every day! πΌ
Matthew's influence can be found everywhere! ποΈ His Gospel is one of the most read books, teaching countless people about Jesus for over 2,000 years. Celebrations, called feast days, honor him because of his contributions to Christianity. People celebrate him on September 21 (or sometimes November 16) each year! πHis life story encourages us to be kind, share love, and stand strong in our beliefs. All of this makes Matthew a wonderful example for everyone! π
After Jesus returned to heaven, Matthew traveled to tell people about Jesus and God's love. πHe preached in many places, including countries like Ethiopia and Persia. He worked hard to share the good news and teach people how to live like Jesus did: loving one another and helping those in need. β€οΈ It wasnβt always easy, but Matthew's bravery inspired many. As Matthew traveled, he showed that we can all be messengers of kindness and friendship! π
The Gospel of Matthew is the first book in the New Testament. πMatthew wrote this book to share the story of Jesus, including his birth, teachings, miracles, and even his resurrection! π«Matthew mentions many important events, like the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus taught people how to live good lives. He also highlights Jesus' connection to the Jewish faith, making it easier for Jewish readers to understand who Jesus was. By sharing these stories, Matthew helps us learn how to be better people! π
Matthew is often compared to the other apostles, like Peter and John. While Peter was a fisherman π£ and John was known for his closeness to Jesus, Matthew came from a different background as a tax collector. This shows us that people from all walks of life can be part of a group that spreads good messages! πEvery apostle had unique qualities, making them special. By learning about them together, we see the beautiful diversity in spreading love and kindness! β€οΈ