Matthew
Pronounced MATH-yoo
- Meaning
- "Gift of Yahweh"
- Origin
- Hebrew (Mattityahu)
Matthew means "gift of Yahweh" in Hebrew. He was a tax collector (also called Levi) whom Jesus called to be one of His twelve apostles. Tax collectors were despised in Jewish society as collaborators with Rome, making Matthew's calling especially remarkable. When Jesus said, "Follow me," Matthew immediately left his tax booth — abandoning a lucrative career. He then hosted a great feast for Jesus, inviting his fellow tax collectors and sinners. When the Pharisees objected, Jesus responded with the famous words, "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Matthew authored the first Gospel, which presents Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and the true King of Israel. His Gospel is the most Jewish of the four, repeatedly demonstrating how Jesus fulfilled the Messianic prophecies.
Spiritual meaning
Matthew's name — 'gift of Yahweh' — took on new meaning when he received the greatest gift of all: a personal call from Jesus. His transformation from outcast to Gospel writer shows that no one is beyond Christ's redeeming invitation.
Related verses (KJV)
"And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him."
Matthew 9:9 (KJV)
"And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them."
Luke 5:29 (KJV)