He was a tax collector (publican) in Capernaum, working under Herod Antipas.
As a tax collector, he would have been fluent in Aramaic, Hebrew, and likely Greek, since he had to deal with Roman authorities and Jewish people.
His calling is described in Mark 2:14, Luke 5:27-28, and Matthew 9:9, where Jesus calls him while he is sitting at his tax booth.
After being called, Matthew immediately leaves everything behind to follow Jesus.
He later hosts a banquet for Jesus, where many tax collectors and sinners gather, upsetting the Pharisees.
Matthew’s Role as a Disciple
As one of the twelve apostles, Matthew traveled with Jesus throughout Galilee, Judea, and surrounding regions.
He witnessed Jesus' teachings, miracles, death, and resurrection.
Unlike outspoken apostles like Peter, Matthew’s role seems more reserved, possibly due to his past as a tax collector (which was a despised profession among Jews).
Matthew After Jesus’ Resurrection
Matthew was present at Pentecost (Acts 2), when the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples.
He continued spreading the gospel among the Jews, likely staying in Jerusalem for some time before traveling elsewhere.
Early sources indicate he preached in Parthia, Persia, Ethiopia, and possibly Syria.
Matthew’s Gospel
Matthew is traditionally credited as the author of the Gospel of Matthew, which was likely written in Hebrew or Aramaic before later being translated into Greek.
His Gospel emphasizes Jesus as the Messiah, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies.
It contains the Sermon on the Mount and many of Jesus' parables.
Early church fathers such as Papias (early 2nd century) and Irenaeus (late 2nd century) confirm that Matthew wrote his Gospel in Hebrew/Aramaic.
Matthew’s Later Missionary Work
Missionary Journeys (40–70 AD) – Church tradition suggests he traveled to:
Syria & Parthia (Iran/Iraq)
Persia (modern-day Iran)
Ethiopia (or possibly South Arabia, based on confusion in early texts)
Converts a Royal Family in Ethiopia (50s AD?) – Some traditions say he baptized the Ethiopian king and his household.
Possible Return to Judea (60s AD?) – Some suggest he returned briefly before continuing his mission.
Matthew’s Death
There are multiple traditions about how Matthew died:
Martyred in Ethiopia – Some accounts say he was killed while celebrating the Eucharist.
Martyred in Parthia or Persia – Other sources claim he was stabbed, stoned, or burned.
Died naturally – A minor tradition suggests he died of old age.
Legacy of Matthew
His Gospel became one of the most widely read books in the early church.
The Aramaic Peshitta preserves his work in a Semitic language, close to what he originally wrote.
He is venerated as a saint in both Eastern and Western Christianity.
His feast day is September 21 (Western tradition) and November 16 (Eastern tradition).
Conclusion
Matthew, the former tax collector, went from an outcast to one of the most important figures in early Christianity. His Gospel preserved Jesus' teachings for Jewish believers, and his missionary work helped spread Christianity far beyond Judea. While details of his later life are debated, his influence on Christian history is undeniable.