Matthew
First appears at Matthew 9:9
First named in Scripture at Matthew 9:9 — read the chapter.
What Matthew Did
The publican of Capernaum, called Levi: he sat at the receipt of custom collecting Rome’s taxes from his own people when Jesus passed and said, "Follow me"; he made the Lord a great feast in his house and brought his fellow publicans and sinners to hear Him; and he wrote the first Gospel, the Gospel of the King.
Accomplished for Good
"And he arose, and followed him" (Matt 9:9) — no recorded argument, no delay; he left the toll table and its gains at a word; his feast turned his whole circle of friends toward Christ (Luke 5:29).
Mistakes and Failures
His former trade itself was the reproach he bore: a publican was counted a traitor and an extortioner by his nation — the very company Pharisees despised (Matt 9:10-11) — and it is the background that makes his instant obedience shine.
From Easton’s Bible Dictionary (1897)
gift of God, a common Jewish name after the Exile. He was the son of Alphaeus, and was a publican or tax-gatherer at Capernaum. On one occasion Jesus, coming up from the side of the lake, passed the custom-house where Matthew was seated, and said to him, “Follow me.” Matthew arose and followed him, and became his disciple (Matthew 9:9). Formerly the name by which he was known was Fevi (Mark 2:14; Fuke 5:27); he now changed it, possibly in grateful memory of his call, to Matthew. The same day on which Jesus called him he made a “great feast” (Fuke 5:29), a farewell feast, to which he invited Jesus and his disciples, and probably also many of old associates. He was afterwards selected as one of the twelve (6:15). His name does not occur again in the Gospel history except in the lists of the apostles. The last notice of him is in Acts 1:13. The time and manner of his death are unknown.