"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."
Biblical Name · Hebrew (Mattityahu) Origin
Matthew Meaning in the Bible
Matthew
boy
Matthew means "Gift of Yahweh", a boy's name of Hebrew (Mattityahu) origin. Matthew appears in the King James Bible, and Matthew 9:9 is the passage most often tied to it. 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.
Is Matthew in the Bible?
Yes — Matthew appears in the King James Bible, including Matthew 9:9.
Pronunciation:/MATH-yoo/
OriginHebrew (Mattityahu)
MeaningGift of Yahweh
What does Matthew mean?
Matthew is a boy name of Hebrew (Mattityahu) origin meaning "Gift of Yahweh". 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.
Which Bible Character Are You?
Take this free Bible personality quiz to discover which Bible character you are most like. 10 questions, instant result with a King James verse.
One of 36 free KJV quizzes — see them all.
What does Matthew mean in the Bible?
Matthew means "Gift of Yahweh" and is a name of Hebrew (Mattityahu) origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
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.
Where does Matthew appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Matthew is connected to 1 key passage in the King James Bible, beginning with Matthew 9:9. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"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."
Take the KJV Bible with You
Download the complete King James Bible as a free PDF — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
What are the variants and nicknames of Matthew?
Matthew has 6 recorded variants, short forms, and translations across languages and biblical traditions.
Variants & related forms
Common nicknames
Matt
Matty
Mateo
Which books of the Bible mention Matthew?
Matthew is mentioned across 4 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Matthew?
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 Promises of God
Promises connected to the meaning of the name Matthew:
God Promises to Be Faithful
Bible promises about God's unwavering faithfulness in every situation.
God Promises Contentment Through Him
Bible promises about finding true satisfaction and contentment in God.
God Promises to Answer Prayer
Bible promises that God hears and answers the prayers of His people.
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
Devotional
Hebrews 13:8 — Meaning & Devotional
God's Faithfulness
Devotional
Hebrews 4:16 — Meaning & Devotional
Grace
Commentary
Matthew 7:1 Commentary
In-depth study • Judgment & Grace
Commentary
Matthew 9:12 Commentary
In-depth study • Grace & Redemption
Word Meaning
Faithfulness (אֱמוּנָה (emunah))
Steadfast reliability and trustworthiness — firm, unwavering loyalty.
Character
Shadrach in the Bible
Faithful in the Fiery Furnace
What names are related to Matthew?
Names that pair well with Matthew
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Matthew
Download a printable name card with the KJV verse and meaning — perfect for Pinterest, Instagram, or a baptism keepsake.
Matthew name meaning: frequently asked questions
Yes — Matthew appears in the King James Bible, including Matthew 9:9.
Matthew means "Gift of Yahweh." It is a Hebrew (Mattityahu) name. The King James Bible uses it in Matthew 9:9, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Hebrew (Mattityahu). Matthew comes into English from Hebrew (Mattityahu) and carries the sense "Gift of Yahweh." It appears in the King James Bible, including Matthew 9:9.
Common questions about the name Matthew
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Matthew?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Matthew?
You can read every verse where Matthew appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.