Levi, also known as Matthew, is one of the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus. He is primarily recognized as the author of the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament.
Levi was a tax collector, a profession often looked down upon by the Jewish people during that time because tax collectors were seen as traitors who collaborated with the Roman authorities. However, Jesus called Levi to follow Him, illustrating His mission to reach out to sinners and extend grace to those who were marginalized by society.
In the Gospel, Levi’s calling is depicted in several passages, including Matthew 9:9-13, where Jesus sees Levi sitting at the tax booth and invites him to become one of His disciples. Levi immediately leaves everything behind to follow Jesus, which signifies a profound change in his life.
After his conversion, Levi, also known as Matthew, becomes a witness to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus and plays a significant role in the early Christian community. His Gospel highlights Jesus’ teachings and emphasizes His fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, making it particularly valuable to Jewish readers.