Who was Matthew?
Matthew was a tax collector whom Jesus called to follow him. Matthew's Gospel names him in the list of apostles. He is traditionally identified with Levi in other Gospel accounts, while Gospel authorship is a separate question.
Jesus called Matthew while he was at the tax booth. The meal that followed raised questions about whom Jesus welcomed and why he spent time with people others rejected.
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How can we welcome someone without pretending every past choice was right?
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View all storiesJesus Calls Matthew and Eats with Tax Collectors
Matthew 9:9–13; Mark 2:13–17; Luke 5:27–32
Jesus calls a tax collector to follow him, then explains why he shares a meal with people others avoid.
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Jesus Calls Matthew the Tax Collector Cut-and-Paste Bible Craft
Cut-and-paste Bible scene
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