Commentary On the Gospel According to Matthew

s in the list of those in "the upper chamber" (1: 13). He probably left Jerusalem for mission work after the persecution by Herod Agrippa I (Acts 12; cf. Peter's departure in verses 18 f.) There are stories about his living the life of an ascetic on herbs and water, a great change from his former manner of life as a publican. It is represented in Western art that he was slain by the sword and again it is denied that he was a martyr. In ecclesiastical art Matthew (after the four living creatures in Ezek. 1: 5-26, cf. Rev. 4: 6-10) is represented as the man (or angel), Mark as the lion, Luke as the calf, John as the eagle. But this applies to the books rather than to the writers. It is to the Gospels that we must go for what information is really known about Matthew. He had two names (Levi Matthew) like John Mark, Simon Peter, Saul Paul, etc. We do not know whether Levi was the original name, as with Simon, and Matthew (possibly = "the gift of Jehovah" like the Greek "Theodore") an acquired name (cf. Cephas or Peter), or whether he had both names from the beginning as was common enough (probably so Saul Paul). In the latter case he would have two Jewish names from the first. In the Gospel according to Matthew the name Matthew alone occurs (Matt. 9:9; 10:3), while in Mark and Luke we have now Levi (Mk. 2 :14; Lk. 5: 27), now Matthew (Mk. 3 :18; Lk. 6:15). But it is perfectly clear in Matt. 9:9 and Mk. 2:14 (Lk. 5:27) that the same man is meant by the two names. In ea...