Matthew

[math-yoo] /ˈmæθ yu/

noun
1.
one of the four Evangelists, a customs collector from Capernaum, summoned to be one of the 12 apostles: originally called Levi. Matt. 9:9–13.
2.
the first Gospel.
Abbreviation: Matt.
3.
a male given name.
/ˈmæθjuː/
noun (New Testament)
1.
Saint Matthew, Levi, a tax collector of Capernaum called by Christ to be one of the 12 apostles (Matthew 9:9–13; 10:3). Feast day: Sept 21 or Nov 16
2.
the first Gospel, traditionally ascribed to him

masc. proper name, introduced in England by the Normans, from Old French Mathieu, from Late Latin Matthaeus, from Greek Matthaios, contraction of Mattathias, from Hebrew Mattathyah “gift of Jehovah,” from mattath “gift.” Variant Matthias is from the Greek version.

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 (Matt. 9:9). Formerly the name by which he was known was Levi (Mark 2:14; Luke 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” (Luke 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.