San Matteo

Apostle Matthew

San Matteo

San Matteo è ampiamente considerato come l'autore del Vangelo di Matteo. Quando Gesù chiamò Matteo,era un esattore delle tasse(o pubblicano), una delle professioni più disprezzate nell'antico giudaismo.

Il 16 novembre, le chiese cattoliche orientali e ortodosse commemorano san Matteo, così come san Fulviano, un principe che si dice si sia convertito dal paganesimo dopoIl martirio di Matteo. The Gospel accounts of Mark and Luke, like Matthew’s, describe Jesus’ encounter with Matthew in the unexpected context of Matthew’s tax-collecting duties.

Poiché lavoravano per la potenza occupante e spesso si guadagnavano da vivere riscuotendo più di quanto dovuto dallo stato, i pubblicani ebrei che riscuotevano le tasse per conto dei governanti romani della Giudea del I secolo erano insultati e persino odiati dalle loro comunità.

San Matteo è ununa figura del Nuovo Testamento sorprendentemente oscura, with only a few mentions in the gospels. Even though the church has long held him to be the author of the Gospel of Matthew, little else is known about him.

Mentre Matteo è ricordato come un martire, nessuno sa dove o come sia morto. Vari resoconti affermano che fu decapitato, lapidato, bruciato o accoltellato; uno sostiene addirittura che sia morto naturalmente, come ha fatto John.

Print, St. Matthew (S.Mathevs), 1650

Birth/Early Life

Levi, figlio di Alfeo, era un galileo del I secolo (presumibilmente nato in Galilea, che non faceva parte della Giudea o della provincia romana della Giudea), secondo i Vangeli. Sarebbe stato fluente in aramaico e greco come esattore delle tasse. I suoi compagni ebrei lo avrebbero disprezzato per aver presumibilmente collaborato con gli occupanti romani.

Dopo la sua convocazione, Matteo invitò Gesù a casa sua per una festa. Quando gli scribi e i farisei videro questo, rimproverarono Gesù per aver mangiato con pubblicani e peccatori. Ciò spinse Gesù a rispondere: "Non sono venuto a chiamare i giusti, ma i peccatori al ravvedimento".

Saint Matthew and the Angel

Life With Jesus

Lo stesso giorno in cui Gesù invitò Matteo a seguirlo, Matteo organizzò una grande festa di addio nella sua casa di Cafarnao, invitando anche i suoi amici ad incontrare Gesù. Invece di riscuotere le tasse, Matteo iniziò a raccogliere anime per il regno di Dio.

Matteo, nonostante il suo passato peccaminoso, era qualificato in modo univoco per essere un discepolo. Teneva registri meticolosi ed era un attento osservatore delle persone. Ha prestato attenzione ai minimi dettagli. Queste caratteristiche tornarono utili quando scrisse il Vangelo di Matteo circa 20 anni dopo.

A prima vista, la scelta di Gesù di un pubblicano come uno dei suoi più stretti seguaci sembrava scandalosa e offensiva, dato che gli esattori delle tasse erano ampiamente disprezzati dagli ebrei.

Tuttavia, dei quattro evangelisti, Matteo presentò Gesù agli ebrei come il Messia tanto atteso, adattando il suo racconto per rispondere alle loro domande.

Accomplishments

Matteo era uno dei 12 discepoli di Gesù Cristo. Come testimone oculare del Salvatore, Matteo registrò nel Vangelo di Matteo un resoconto dettagliato della vita di Gesù, la storia della sua nascita, il suo messaggio e le sue numerose azioni. Era anche un missionario, diffondendo il Vangelo in altri paesi.

Matthew the Apostle

Strengths and Weaknesses

Matthew teneva registri meticolosi. Capì il cuore umano e le aspirazioni del popolo ebraico. Era devoto a Gesù e, una volta impegnato, non ha mai vacillato nella sua devozione al Signore.

Matteo, d'altra parte, era un ladro prima di incontrare Gesù. Considerava il denaro la cosa più importante nella vita e violava le leggi di Dio per arricchirsi a spese dei suoi connazionali.

Travels

Matteo ha deciso di diffondere il messaggio dopo aver completato il suo Vangelo. Si pensa che abbia visitato la Siria, la Media, la Persia, la Partia e persino l'Etiopia.

According to Muslim exegesis, San Matteo and Saint Andrew were the two disciples who went to Ethiopia (not an African country, but a region called ‘Ethiopia’ south of the Caspian Sea) to preach God’s message.

Pareja-vocacion Mateo

Il Vangelo di Matteo

One of the facts is that Matthew’s Gospel was placed at the very beginning of the New Testament. It was thought to be the first Gospel written, but we now know that the Gospel of Mark predates it. Because it is the Gospel most concerned with Judaism, it serves as an appropriate transition from the Old Testament to the New Testament in the Christian Bible.

Matteo divenne il testo evangelico più importante per i cristiani del I e II secolo perché contiene tutti gli elementi essenziali per la chiesa primitiva: la storia del concepimento miracoloso di Gesù; una spiegazione dell'importanza della liturgia, del diritto, del discepolato e dell'insegnamento; e un resoconto della vita e della morte di Gesù. Il Vangelo di Matteo è stato a lungo considerato il più importante dei quattro Vangeli.

Mentre la tradizione della chiesa del II secolo sostiene che Matteo, un ex esattore delle tasse e uno deiTwelve Apostles, noto anche come Levi, scrisse il Vangelo, gli studiosi oggi sostengono che non vi è alcuna prova chiara della paternità di Matteo.

Poiché il Vangelo di Matteo si basa molto sul precedente Vangelo di Marco, nonché su una tradizione orale della fine del I secolo, è improbabile che l'autore del Vangelo di Matteo sia stato un testimone oculare della vita di Cristo.

Invece, l'autore era molto probabilmente un membro ebreo di una comunità colta dove lo studio e l'insegnamento erano forme ferventi di pietà, e il Vangelo è stato scritto molto probabilmente tra l'80 e il 90 d.C.

O Glorioso San Matteo, nel tuo Vangelo ritrai Gesù come l'agognato Messia che adempì i Profeti dell'Antica Alleanza e come il nuovo Legislatore che fondò una Chiesa della Nuova Alleanza.
Ottienici la grazia di vedere Gesù vivere nella sua Chiesa e di seguire i suoi insegnamenti nella nostra vita sulla terra, così che possiamo vivere per sempre con Lui in cielo.

His Death

È difficile dire come morì Matteo, come per la maggior parte degli apostoli. La sua morte è oggetto di molti resoconti contraddittori. Secondo i primi documenti, servì in Etiopia (non quella che pensiamo come Etiopia, ma un'area a sud del Mar Caspio), Persia, Macedonia e/o Siria.

Eracleone, uno dei primi commentatori del Nuovo Testamento, è citato da Clemente di Alessandria come dicendo che Matteo morì naturalmente.

Oggi, la maggior parte degli studiosi non supporta questo account.

Tutti gli altri primi resoconti diLa morte di Matteodicono che fu martirizzato, ma differiscono su come o dove ciò sia avvenuto. Secondo i primi padri della chiesa, fu bruciato, lapidato, pugnalato o decapitato a causa della sua religione.

Martirio di san Matteo

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Key Takeaway

Il nome Matteo significa dono di Dio. Nella storia della sua vocazione, Mark e Luke lo chiamano "Levi". Forse questo era il suo nome originale, e quando divenne discepolo, Gesù gli diede un nuovo nome. È stato anche proposto che fosse semplicemente un membro della tribù dei leviti.

What is the definition and meaning of patron saints, and why were these individuals chosen to be patrons of causes, professions, and countries?

In Christian religions, including the Roman Catholic religion, the term “Patron” refers to holy and virtuous men and women who are regarded as defenders of a specific group of people or a country. There is a patron for virtually every cause, country, profession, or special interest. St. Matthew is the patron of accountants, bankers, bookkeepers, customs officers, money managers, stockbrokers, and tax collectors.

Characteristics

This article describes the characteristics of Apostle Matthew who was a tax collector for the Roman government, which made him detestable to the Jewish religious leaders. Jesus called him away from his post, and Matthew left immediately and held a dinner at his home. Matthew became a disciple, and later Jesus chose him as one of the apostles who would be part of the church foundation with Christ as the cornerstone.

According to the Characteristics of the 12 Apostles, the name Matthew appears only five times in the Bible, but he is also called Levi. There is no specific mention of ministry by him after Acts chapter 1. However, his gospel account has some very significant detail about the Lord Jesus, fulfilled prophecy, miracles and signs, and validation of Christ’s bodily resurrection. There are many other unique details in Matthew’s gospel that can affirm faith in Christ Jesus, the Son of God.

Calling of Saint Matthew

Made the Most of a Bad Situation

The first characteristic of the 12 Apostles exemplified in the life of the apostle Matthew was making the most of a bad situation. Matthew’s home country Israel was under siege by the Roman Empire. He, like many others, could have thrown up his hands and moped and complained about the adverse circumstances, but he didn’t.

He chose to make the most of a horrible situation, even if it was at the expense of his fellow Jews. The point here is not to advocate living by situational ethics, but only to point out that Matthew demonstrated a positive attitude amid troubles.

Endured Ridicule and Scorn to Get What He Wanted

The second characteristic exemplified in Matthew’s life was perseverance, i.e., he was willing to endure ridicule and scorn to fulfill his desires. Of course, before he left everything to follow Jesus, Matthew was a dirty, nasty, money-grubbing scoundrel.

At first glance, one would think Jesus was crazy to choose him to be one of his disciples. But, on the positive side, Matthew had thick skin, for he was willing to endure ridicule and scorn from his fellow Jewish countrymen to get want he wanted.

He did not care about the opinions of an ordinary man. He did care about being popular with the in-crowd. He knew what he wanted and did whatever was necessary to have it despite the attitudes of others around him.

Became a Student of His Cause

The third characteristic of apostle Mathew was to become educated and knowledgeable in the desired pursuit. Matthew’s account of Jesus’ life is well-researched with important references to the Hebrew Scriptures (also known as the Old Testament in the Christian Bible).

Of course, Matthew had been an eyewitness of Jesus’ life, but as an educated Jew, Matthew knew that Jesus could only be the long-awaited Messiah if he fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah.

So, Matthew did not rest his belief in blind faith but rather studied to make sure this was the real thing. After he was sure it was the real thing, he circulated the account to others so that they too could be sure that Jesus was the Messiah.

Desired the Finer Things in Life

The fourth characteristic exemplified in the life of the apostle Matthew was a desire for the finer things in life. This desire is inherently seen in that Matthew was a money-grubbing tax collector for the Roman Empire. Yes, he was extorting his own Jewish people to get rich and gain possessions, but in doing so, he shows that he wanted the best of life, and he was willing to do anything he could to have it.

Open-Minded and Teachable

The fifth characteristic exemplified in the life of this follower of Jesus was that he was open-minded and teachable. If proven wrong, he was willing to change course to go in a better direction.

Even though Matthew sacrificed everything, including his reputation, he was not closed-minded or locked into one path of life to gain what he wanted.

It seems he was constantly studying the horizon to find something better. And, when Jesus came along and called him to follow him, Matthew left everything behind, including his wealth, for something even more valuable.

Saint Matthew with Angel on Ivory fabric

Reconciled with Enemies to Fulfill a Greater Purpose

Another biblical attitude or characteristic exemplified in the life of Matthew was the willingness to reconcile with enemies to fulfill a greater cause. Matthew was a tax collector and a collaborator with the hated Roman occupiers; he seemed to think that survival came through cooperation.

Another of Jesus’ chosen apostles was Simon, the Zealot who hated the Romans with a passion to the point of violence and revolution. Before he was a follower of Jesus, Simon most certainly saw Matthew as an enemy of the nation of Israel, as a treasonous traitor.

Matthew probably didn’t love Simon the Zealot too much either. Yet, he was willing to reconcile with his enemy to fulfill the greater purpose of introducing the good news of Jesus Christ to the rest of the world.

Left a Legacy to Bless Generations after Him

The characteristic exemplified by Matthew is seen in his account of Jesus’ life. Matthew wanted to leave a positive legacy. So that others after him might also believe that Jesus was the Savior of the world, he left a written record of Jesus’ life and work. Matthew left a positive legacy behind to bless the generations after him.

Conclusion Characteristics

His original name was Levi. He was the son of Alpheus, and his home was at Capernaum. His business was collecting dues and customs from persons and goods crossing the Sea of Galilee or passing along the great Damascus road, which ran along the shore between Bethsaida, Julius, and Capernaum.

Christ called him from this work to be His disciple. He appears to have been a man of wealth, for he made a great feast in his own house, perhaps to introduce his former companions and friends to Jesus. His business would tend to give him a knowledge of human nature, accurate business habits, and how to make a way to the hearts of many publicans and sinners not otherwise easily reached.

After the resurrection of Christ, he is mentioned only once in Acts, but he must have lived many years as an apostle since he was the author of the Gospel of Matthew, which was written at least twenty years later.

There is reason to believe that he remained for fifteen years in Jerusalem, after which he went as a missionary to the Persians, Parthians, and Medes. Tradition says that he died a martyr in Ethiopia.

Resources Characteristics

https://www.historicjesus.com/character/matthew.html
https://discover.hubpages.com/religion-philosophy/Biblical-Principles-of-Self-Management-Attitudes-and-Characteristics-Exemplified-in-the-Life-of-Matthew
https://www.drsharonwalt.com/i-ll-fswwrm/ec0694-characteristics-of-st-matthew

Facts

Matthew The Apostle Facts prove Levi, the Son of Alphaeus, Matthew was a tax collector–the most despised people in all of Israel. They were known for making extra money from the people of Israel to pay off the Romans and to pad their own pockets. Then it happened that as Jesus was reclining at the table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were dining with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many of them, and they were following Him.

When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that He was eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they said to His disciples, why is He eating and drinking with tax collectors and sinners? And hearing this, Jesus said to them, it is not those who are healthy that need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners. (Mark 2:16)

As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man called Matthew, sitting in the tax collector’s booth; and He said to him, Follow Me! And he got up and followed Him. (Matthew 9:9)

Matthew The Apostle facts tell us that Matthew brought the gospel to Ethiopia and Egypt. Hyrcanus the king had him killed with a spear.

Apostle Matthew Logo

Facts and Symbols

One of the Matthew the Apostle facts is that St. Matthew, also called Levi, begins following Jesus when he worked as a tax collector in Capernaum. Matthew was sitting in a tax booth, also called a customs house, and Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” Jesus immediately went to a house where he ate with tax collectors and sinners.

As you probably know, Jews did not like tax collectors, because they worked for the Roman oppressors.

They were often corrupt, too, using their position to extort money above what they were owed in taxes.

Another of the Matthew The Apostle facts is that tradition believes that Matthew wrote the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament, which was written with a Hebrew audience in mind. Matthew’s gospel, more than any other, reminds us of the Old Testament roots and prophecies behind Jesus’ mission.

Tradition also suggests varied destinations for Matthew’s missionary journeys after Pentecost. Some say that he traveled west to Ethiopia while others claim his mission was to Persia. We believe that he died a martyr.

One legend about his death has him strung up, upside down, above a fire by Fulvia, the ruler of the Ethiopians. Matthew was unharmed by the fire, so Fulvian added more wood until the flames were very high. He commanded that 12 idols be placed around the fire, but the fire lashed out and burned them. The flames went out when Fulvian asked Matthew to pray for him, and then Matthew died.

Matthew’s symbols are bags of money, representing his profession as a tax collector before Jesus called him.

Apostle Matthew

Did Matthew Write the Gospel of Matthew?

The Gospel of Matthew’s author is anonymous, but Matthew the Apostle is traditionally considered the author. The early church claimed he wrote it, and the attribution “according to Matthew” was added possibly as early as the second century. While there are credible arguments against his authorship, no alternative writer has been named.

Call to Ministry

Jesus called Levi to the Ministry, and Levi followed him. He became known as Matthew.

Matthew followed Jesus as one of his four disciples. He saw both the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, and he preached the gospel in Jerusalem.

After preaching in Judea, scholars believe he traveled to other countries to continue his preaching. Matthew supposedly authored the Gospel of Matthew, but there is no proof he wrote it. Fragments of other gospels have been found, also attributed to Matthew. These are the Gospel of the Nazarenes, the Gospel of the Ebionites, and the Gospel of the Hebrews.

Matthew was one of the early followers of Jesus. He is known as Matthew the Apostle, Saint Matthew, and his birth name of Levi

Saint Matthew with Angel on ivory fabric

Miracles

Researching the Matthew the apostle facts then it is clear that St. Matthew went to Ethiopia and thence into the neighboring states. He began his mission at Nadabar, the capital, where he met two notorious magicians named Zaroes and Arphaxad, who, by their hellish art, caused people to become sick, after which they cured them by magic, and thus gained the reputation of performing miracles, besides which, they gathered great riches.

The apostle discovered the fraudulent means by which they deceived the credulous, and he admonished the inhabitants of the city, not to fear those two men, as he was preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in whose name, all such diabolical art would be destroyed.

When the two magicians saw that they lost credit and gain by these remarks of the apostle, they endeavored by new sorcery to frighten the people; but the Saint, making their fraud public, caused himself to be greatly esteemed so that the people commenced to attend his sermons, and to take an interest in the faith he announced.

The many miracles which Matthew performed at length opened the eyes of the blind pagans; they recognized their error, and truth took possession of their hearts.

San Matteo

Veneration

Within the list of Matthew The Apostle Facts, he is recognized as a saint in the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran, and Anglican churches. His feast day is celebrated on 21 September in the West and 16 November in the East. (For those churches which follow the traditional Julian Calendar, 16 November currently falls on 29 November of the modern Gregorian Calendar).

He is also commemorated by the Orthodox, together with the other Apostles, on 30 June (13 July), the Synaxis of the Holy Apostles. His tomb is located in the crypt of Salerno Cathedral in southern Italy.

Like the other evangelists, Matthew is often depicted in Christian art with one of the four living creatures of Revelation 4:7. The one that accompanies him is in the form of a winged man. The three paintings of Matthew by Caravaggio in the church of San Luigi dei Francesi in Rome, where he is depicted as called by Christ from his profession as a gatherer, are among the landmarks of Western art.

O Glorious St. Matthew, in your Gospel, you portray Jesus as the longed-for Messiah who fulfilled the Prophets of the Old Covenant and as the new Lawgiver who founded a Church of the New Covenant. Obtain for us the grace to see Jesus living in his Church and to follow his teachings in our lives on earth so that we may live forever with Him in heaven. Amen

Conclusion Facts

In conclusion, Matthew the Apostle’s facts gave an in-depth view of Matthew (also referred to as Saint Matthew by the Catholic church) is known for being a publican (or tax collector) which is unusual in that most of the disciples were fishermen by trade.

Due to his work as a tax collector, Matthew was seen as filth among people, classified as the lowest of the low for working alongside the Romans in collecting taxes, and at the time being under Roman rule was the most hated thing of all.

In addition, during this time many tax collectors were dishonest giving people even more reasons to hate them. Matthew always refers to himself as Matthew the tax collector or Matthew the publican making note of the fact that he was once a sinner even though he followed the path of Christ.

Matthew was particularly self-absorbed at the time he was called by Jesus to serve as His disciple. Upon meeting Christ; however, Matthew forgot about being self-centered and began to consider others. Matthew is recognized for being the first writer of the first Gospel which is now referred to as the Gospel of Matthew.

Resources Facts

https://ourlordstyle.com/blogs/christian-writings/classic-christian-symbols-and-their-meanings-the-twelve-apostles-part-2
https://overviewbible.com/12-apostles/#matthew
https://peoplepill.com/people/matthew-the-apostle (Aug 31, 2021, bad gateway)
https://www.sunsigns.org/famousbirthdays/profile/st-matthew/

Riassunto di San Matteo

Poco si sa di San Matteo, tranne che era figlio di Alfeo e molto probabilmente era nato in Galilea. Ha lavorato come esattore delle tasse, che era un'occupazione disprezzata durante il tempo di Cristo.

Secondo il Vangelo, Matteo stava lavorando a una capanna di raccolta a Cafarnao quando Cristo gli si avvicinò e gli disse:

"Seguimi."

Matteo divenne discepolo di Cristo attraverso questa semplice chiamata.

Da Matteo apprendiamo le molte opere di Cristo e il messaggio di salvezza che ha diffuso a tutti coloro che vengono a Dio attraverso di lui. Gli studiosi sono fiduciosi nell'autenticità del racconto evangelico di Matteo perché racconta la stessa storia degli altri tre Vangeli. Il suo libro è il primo dei quattro Vangeli del Nuovo Testamento.

Risorse San Matteo

https://overviewbible.com/matthew-the-apostle/
https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=84
https://www.learnreligions.com/matthew-tax-collector-and-apostle-701067
https://stmargaretmary.org/st-matthew-the-apostle/