Saint Matthew

According to the Bible, Saint Matthew was one of Jesus's 12 apostles and the first author of the New Testament.

Synopsis

Born in Palestine sometime in the 1st century, Saint Matthew was one of Jesus's 12 apostles and also one of the four Evangelists, according to the Bible. Matthew authored the first Gospel of the Bible's New Testament, now known as the Gospel of Matthew. Prior to preaching the word of God, he worked as a tax collector in Capernaum. Matthew is the patron saint of tax collectors and accountants. The Feast of St. Matthew is annually celebrated on September 21.

Fact Check

We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us!

BIOGRAPHY NEWSLETTER

Subscribe to the Biography newsletter to receive stories about the people who shaped our world and the stories that shaped their lives.

MORE STORIES FROM BIOGRAPHY

Alexandra-37295-1-402

Alexandra Feodorovna was consort of the Russian Czar Nicholas II. Her rule precipitated the collapse of Russia's imperial government. She was murdered, along with her entire family, in 1918.

(1872–1918)

St-Thomas-9505608-1-402

One of the Twelve Apostles, Saint Thomas or “Doubting Thomas” was initially skeptical about Jesus’ resurrection, but later proclaimed Jesus, “My Lord and My God.”

(d. c. 72)

St-Helena-9334168-1-402

St. Helena, the mother of Constantine I, is believed to have discovered the cross upon which Jesus Christ was crucified.

(c. 248–c. 328)

St-Clare-of-Assisi-9249093-1-402

The founder of the Order of Poor Ladies, Saint Clare of Assisi was an Italian saint and one of the first followers of Saint Francis of Assisi.

(1194–1253)

Saint-Francis-Xavier-39911-1-402

The patron saint of missionaries and one of the founders of the Jesuit order, Saint Francis Xavier sought religious converts throughout Asia during the 1500s.

(1506–1552)

St-Patrick-9434729-1-402

Saint Patrick is Ireland's patron saint, known for spreading Christianity throughout the country as a missionary during the 5th century.

(c. 386–461)

St-Joseph-9358199-1-402

First appearing in the gospels of Matthew and Luke, Saint Joseph was the earthly father of Jesus Christ and the husband of the Virgin Mary.

(d. c. 1)

St-Thomas-Aquinas-9187231-1-402

Italian Dominican theologian Saint Thomas Aquinas was one of the most influential medieval thinkers of Scholasticism and the father of the Thomistic school of theology.

(c. 1225–1274)

Saint-Mark-40933-1-402

Apostle Saint Mark was one of Christ's 70 disciples, one of the four evangelists and the traditional author of the second Gospel, The Book of Mark.

(d. c. 68)