Matthew
? - ? CE, 1st century
According to his own gospel and Mark’s, Matthew was seated outside a customs house in Capernaum by the Sea of Galilee, when Jesus approached and called to him. (He is called Levi in Mark’s gospel.) Matthew was a tax collector for King Herod (the elder) - a position that earned him widespread contempt. When questioned about approaching such a controversial figure, Jesus responded, “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Little else is known about Matthew, beyond the attribution of the first gospel to him (though the gospel was written in the fourth century). Traditionally, Matthew ministered across Judea before journeying to central Asia and northeast Africa. He may have died peacefully, or he may have died a martyr.
