Rachel Evans
Matthew the Apostle, also known as Levi, was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ. He is considered a saint in the Catholic Church and is venerated by the Eastern Orthodox Church. Matthew is best known as the traditional author of the Gospel of Matthew, as well as for being a tax collector whom Jesus called to be his disciple. However, there is little known about his life, and ancient sources disagree about the details of his death. While some traditions claim that he died as a martyr, others suggest that he died peacefully after a long life.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause of death | Natural death or martyrdom |
| Place of death | Ethiopia (disputed) |
| Symbol | Spear |
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What You'll Learn
The Catholic Church believes he died a martyr
Matthew the Apostle, also known as Levi, was a first-century Galilean and one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ. He is recognised as a saint in the Catholic Church and is celebrated with a feast on 21 September.
> Matthew collected the oracles [in Greek, logia: sayings of or about Jesus] in the Hebrew language [Hebraïdi dialektōi], and each one interpreted [hērmēneusen – perhaps 'translated'] them as best he could.
The early Christian theologian Origen also indicates that the first gospel was written by Matthew. However, there is no historical consensus on the person of Matthew, and there are several conflicting accounts.
Some traditions claim that St Matthew suffered martyrdom in Ethiopia. He is depicted with a spear in medieval artwork, which some believe symbolises his martyrdom. However, there is a disagreement as to the place of his martyrdom and the kind of torture inflicted on him. It is not known whether he was burned, stoned, or beheaded.
There are also accounts that St Matthew died peacefully after a long life. According to Heracleon, quoted by Clement of Alexandria, Matthew did not die a martyr.
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Some ancient sources claim he died of natural causes
St. Matthew the Apostle, also known as Levi, was a first-century Galilean, born in Galilee, and was the son of Alpheus. He was a disciple and apostle of Jesus Christ, and is considered a saint in the Catholic Church.
There are several conflicting accounts of St. Matthew's death. While the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church hold the tradition that Matthew died as a martyr, some ancient sources, including Heracleon (quoted by Clement of Alexandria), claim that he died of natural causes. According to Heracleon:
> "But neither will this utterance be found to be spoken universally; for all the saved have confessed with the confession made by the voice, and departed. Of whom are Matthew, Philip, Thomas, Levi, and many others." —Stromata
However, most scholars don't accept Heracleon's account today. It is impossible to determine with certainty if Matthew died of natural causes or as a martyr, as most of the disciples' stories supposedly end in martyrdom, and there are no specific details provided about his death.
The Gospel of Matthew, which is traditionally attributed to St. Matthew himself, does not state that it is an eyewitness account, and modern biblical scholars generally believe that it was written anonymously.
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There is no historical consensus on his death
There is no historical consensus on how Matthew the Apostle died. The New Testament offers little information about him beyond the fact that he was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus.
Some traditions claim that Matthew died a martyr in Ethiopia. This belief is supported by the fact that he is depicted with a spear in medieval artwork, which some interpret as a symbol of his martyrdom. The Babylonian Talmud and the Roman Martyrology also appear to record Matthew's martyrdom. However, there is disagreement over the place of his martyrdom and the nature of the torture he endured, with no definitive evidence to support any of the claims.
Other sources, including the early commentator Heracleon, quoted by Clement of Alexandria, suggest that Matthew died of natural causes. This opinion conflicts with most other ancient testimony, but it is supported by the fact that the earliest records are often assumed to be more reliable.
The Gospel of Matthew, traditionally attributed to Matthew himself, does not state that it is an eyewitness account, and most modern scholars believe it was written anonymously. This casts doubt on the traditional belief that Matthew was its author and, by extension, the idea that the reported manners of his death refer to him.
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Some claim he was martyred in Ethiopia
While the Bible offers many details about Matthew's life as a gospel writer, tax collector, and disciple of Jesus Christ, there is a lack of consensus on the details of his death. Some traditions claim that Matthew was martyred in Ethiopia, while others suggest that he died a natural death.
According to ancient writers, Matthew preached the gospel in Judea and then travelled to other countries, with almost all sources mentioning Ethiopia. The Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church hold the tradition that Matthew died as a martyr. Medieval artwork often depicts Matthew with a spear, which some interpret as a symbol of his martyrdom.
The claim that Matthew was martyred in Ethiopia is supported by various writings, including apocryphal Greek texts such as "Martyrium S. Matthaei in Ponto" and "Acta apostolorum apocrypha". However, these writings are considered devoid of historical value by some scholars. There is also a disagreement about the type of torture inflicted on Matthew, with suggestions of burning, stoning, or beheading.
The Roman Martyrology, a Catholic text, mentions Matthew's martyrdom in Ethiopia: "S. Matthaei, qui in Æthiopia prædicans martyrium passus est". However, it is impossible to determine the historical accuracy of this claim, as most of the disciples' stories are said to end in martyrdom. While the Romans persecuted Christians due to their anti-imperial sentiments, it is also possible that the martyrdom narratives were exaggerated to emphasise the disciples' dedication to their faith.
In contrast to the martyrdom claims, Heracleon, quoted by Clement of Alexandria, suggests that Matthew died a natural death. However, this opinion conflicts with other ancient testimonies, and most scholars do not accept Heracleon's account today.
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His relics were found in Italy in 1080
Matthew the Apostle, also known as Levi, was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. He is believed to be the author of the Gospel of Matthew, and is thus also known as Matthew the Evangelist.
There is scant and uncertain information about the life of St. Matthew outside of the New Testament. However, it is believed that he preached the gospel in Judea before travelling to other countries. Almost all sources mention Ethiopia, with some claiming that he suffered martyrdom there.
St. Matthew's relics were reputedly discovered in Salerno, Italy, in 1080. Salerno Cathedral is believed to be his final resting place.
Italy is the final resting place of many of the apostles and evangelists. Some were martyred in Rome, while others were brought to Italy centuries after their deaths. The relics of the apostles found in Italy were often smuggled and sold around Europe during the Middle Ages. Today, the relics of the apostles found in Italy may be more rooted in tradition than fact, but they are still considered sacred by the faithful.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no clear consensus on how St. Matthew died. Some traditions claim that he died a martyr in Ethiopia, while others suggest he died of natural causes.
Ancient sources are divided on the details of St. Matthew's death. Some claim he died a martyr, while others, like Heracleon quoted by Clement of Alexandria, argue he died of natural causes.
Not much is known about St. Matthew's life after Jesus' ascension. The Catholic Encyclopedia refers to the data available as "inaccurate or legendary." However, it is believed that he preached the Gospel among the Hebrews and in other countries, with almost all sources mentioning Ethiopia.
