2. Matthew, the man Know very little “Gift of God Son of Alphaeus
Galilean Jew
Became a Tax-collector

3. Matthew, the tax-collector
Israel under Rome
Roman taxation system
Two primary taxes
Roman Gov’t sold the rights to collect taxes
Profits gained by taxing more than they should
Tax-collectors were viewed as “the worst”

4. Matthew, the tax-collector
Hated & Despised
Extortionist & Traitor
Harsh interactions with fellow Jews
Wealthy
Kicked out

5. Matthew, the disciple Called by Jesus 1 of 12 Apostles At Pentecost
Acts 1:13
His Character – “Matthew, the tax-collector”
Cost him everything (Lk 19:2 vs 5:28)

6. Matthew-Internal Evidence
Most references to coins
Ability to write & keep records
Avoided references to tax-collectors
Downplays his own actions
53 quotes from the OT

7. Matthew-External Evidence
Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch (a.d )
Papias (c ) quoted by Eusebius (c ); Iranaeus (c ), & Origen (c )
“Among the four gospels, which are the only indisputable ones in the Church of God under heaven, I have learned by tradition that the first was written by Matthew, who was once a publican, but afterwards an apostle of Jesus Christ, and it was prepared for the converts from Judaism” (Ecclesiastical History, 6:25). Eusebius