The Gospel of Matthew has been treasured by Christians for nearly two thousand years as the first book of the New Testament. While the Gospel itself never states the author’s name within its text, the earliest Christians consistently identified its writer as Matthew, also known as Levi, the tax collector whom Jesus personally called to become one of His twelve apostles.

Before meeting Jesus, Matthew lived a life that made him one of the most despised men in Jewish society. Tax collectors worked for the Roman government, collecting taxes from their own people. They were often viewed as dishonest, greedy, and traitorous because many became wealthy by collecting more than was required. Matthew understood what it was like to be rejected and looked down upon.

Everything changed the day Jesus walked by his tax booth.

Instead of condemning Matthew for his past, Jesus simply said, “Follow me.” Matthew immediately left behind his profession, his wealth, and his former life to become one of Christ’s closest followers (Matthew 9:9). That moment of grace would shape the rest of his life and eventually give the world one of the most important accounts of Jesus ever written.

The earliest church leaders—including Papias, Irenaeus, Origen, and Eusebius—identified Matthew as the author of this Gospel. Although modern scholars sometimes debate authorship because the Gospel does not identify its writer directly, there is no competing ancient tradition naming someone else. From the earliest days of Christianity, believers consistently recognized Matthew as the man behind the book.

Matthew wrote with a very specific audience in mind. His Gospel was primarily written to convince Jewish readers that Jesus of Nazareth is the long-awaited Messiah promised throughout the Old Testament. More than any other Gospel writer, Matthew repeatedly connects Jesus’ life to Old Testament prophecy using phrases such as, “This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet.” Again and again, Matthew demonstrates that Jesus did not appear by accident. He was the fulfillment of God’s promises made centuries earlier.

The Gospel begins with a genealogy tracing Jesus’ family line through Abraham and King David. To many modern readers, long lists of names may seem unimportant, but to Jewish readers they were essential. Matthew was establishing from the very beginning that Jesus possessed the legal and royal lineage required of Israel’s promised King.

Throughout his Gospel, Matthew emphasizes Jesus as the King of Heaven’s Kingdom. More than thirty times he uses the phrase “Kingdom of Heaven,” a description found far more often in Matthew than anywhere else in Scripture. His account contains some of Jesus’ most famous teachings, including the Sermon on the Mount, the Beatitudes, the Lord’s Prayer, and many of Christ’s parables about the Kingdom of God.

Matthew also presents Jesus as both compassionate and authoritative. He records miracles that reveal Christ’s power over disease, nature, demons, and even death itself. Yet alongside that power, Matthew continually shows Jesus extending mercy to sinners, healing the broken, and welcoming those society had rejected. Matthew understood that personally because he had once been one of those outcasts.

Perhaps one of the greatest lessons from Matthew’s life is that God does not choose people based on their past. He chooses people based on His grace. The man once known for collecting taxes became one of history’s greatest witnesses to Jesus Christ. His story reminds us that no failure is too great, no reputation too damaged, and no life too broken for God to redeem.

The Gospel of Matthew concludes with what Christians call The Great Commission. After His resurrection, Jesus told His disciples:

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19–20)

Those final words summarize Matthew’s purpose. He did not simply want readers to admire Jesus. He wanted them to believe in Him, follow Him, obey Him, and share His message with the world.

Matthew’s Gospel is more than an ancient biography. It is the testimony of a man whose life was completely transformed by Christ. A former tax collector became an apostle. A rejected sinner became a faithful servant. And through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, his account continues to lead countless people to Jesus nearly two thousand years later.

Bible References

• Matthew 9:9
• Matthew 1:1–17
• Matthew 5–7
• Matthew 28:18–20
• 2 Timothy 3:16–17
• 2 Peter 1:20–21