St. Matthew is one of the twelve Apostles and one of the four Gospel writers. He is also called Levi, or Matthew the Levite. He was probably born in Galilee and worked as a tax collector at Capernaum (Matthew 9:9-13) when Christ called him to follow him (Mark 2:14; Luke 5:27-32).

Matthew was the author of the first Gospel, written between 60 and 90. It was probably in Hebraic or in Aramaic in its original form. Some scholars believe Matthew was in Antioch, Syria, when he wrote the Gospel.

He preached in Jerusalem and then went to Ethiopia, where he was martyred in Persia or in Ethiopia. Matthew provides a telling portrait of Christ in his Gospel, including his genealogy, ministry, Passion, and Resurrection. The entire work is designed to provide a true recognition of Christ as the Messiah. Matthew is represented in liturgical art by an angel holding a lance, a coin, a pen or a money box.