Matthew the Apostle

"Tax collector called by Christ; author of the first Gospel — presenting Jesus as the fulfilment of the Hebrew Scriptures"

Born: c. 5 BC · Capernaum, Galilee Died: c. AD 74 · Ethiopia or Persia (martyrdom, tradition) One of the Twelve Apostles Apostolic

Who was Matthew the Apostle?

Why this Father matters to Catholic apologetics: Tax collector called by Christ; author of the first Gospel — presenting Jesus as the fulfilment of the Hebrew Scriptures

Born

c. 5 BC · Capernaum, Galilee

Died

c. AD 74 · Ethiopia or Persia (martyrdom, tradition)

See / Role

One of the Twelve Apostles

Historical Period

Apostolic

Tax collector called by Christ; author of the first Gospel — presenting Jesus as the fulfilment of the Hebrew Scriptures.

Where Matthew the Apostle stands in the chain

Ordination chain from Christ to this Father — and onward to students. Solid links cite named primary sources. Unknown means no ordainer is historically attested. Nodes with a profile are linked.

Matthew the Apostle received authority directly from Christ — not through a chain of human ordination. The Apostles are the foundation of the chain, not a link within it. Every bishop in the unbroken succession traces their authority back through the Fathers to the Apostles, and through the Apostles to Christ himself.

Matthew the Apostle

Who was Matthew the Apostle?

Where Matthew the Apostle stands in the chain

History has always been on her side.