St. Matthew: Rise, Leave Behind & Follow

On September 21, the church celebrates the feast day of St. Matthew, the evangelist. His story demonstrates how Jesus excludes no one. Even someone as despised as a tax collector is invited into friendship with Jesus.

We also notice that Matthew responds immediately to Jesus’ call: “And he got up and followed him” (Matthew 9:9). This immediate response is something symbolic: Matthew leaves behind his old life and takes on a new life following Jesus. In this way he becomes a Witness of Transformation not only by his life, but also by his Gospel.

Let us now try to understand more about Matthew through his Gospel.

Audience

Matthew addressed his gospel to Jewish Christians – a community caught between two worlds of Judaism and the growing Gentile Church. Written likely after the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple (70 AD), Matthew’s Gospel tries to make sense of the community’s identity, its mission, and its relationship to both Israel and the wider Gentile world.

One of the main tensions in the Gospel is between particularism (Jesus’ ministry focused only on Israel) and universalism (the message eventually going to all nations). While Jesus says he was sent only to Israel (Matthew 15:24), the Gospel ends with the famous command to “make disciples of all nations” (28:19).

This tension reflects the community’s lived reality. As Jewish Christians, they were rejected by many fellow Jews and faced hostility from the synagogue. At the same time, they were part of a growing Gentile church where their Jewish identity felt out of place. Matthew’s Gospel, then, affirms Jesus as the Jewish Messiah who fulfils the law and prophets, yet also opens the kingdom of God to outsiders.

Kingdom

The Gospel of Matthew presents Jesus as the fulfilment of God’s promises to Israel and as the one who brings the Kingdom of Heaven into the world. More than the other Gospels, Matthew emphasizes this kingdom theme, using the phrase “kingdom of heaven” over 30 times. This is Matthew’s way of referring to the rule of God breaking into human history through Jesus. The message is clear from the start: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matthew 4:17). This was also the message of John the Baptist (3:2) and later the disciples (10:7).

Son of God

At the heart of Matthew’s gospel is the divinity of Jesus. He is identified as “the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). Titles such as Son of God, Son of Man, and Son of David are often used for Jesus. At his baptism and transfiguration, a voice from heaven declares, “This is my Son, the Beloved” (3:17; 17:5). Jesus is also called “Lord” and acts with divine authority.

Discipleship

Equally important is the theme of discipleship. Disciples are called to live lives of righteousness, a key theme in Matthew. Jesus teaches that unless one’s righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees, they will not enter the kingdom (Matthew 5:20). This righteousness is not just legalistic, but involves doing the will of God (7:21) and living with humility, mercy, and faithfulness. The Sermon on the Mount (chapters 5–7) lays out this vision, beginning with the beatitudes: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (5:3).

Law & Prophecy

Matthew constantly shows how Jesus fulfils the Old Testament. He regularly uses fulfilment formulas like, “This took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the prophet…” (Matthew 1:22; 2:15.) Though Matthew upholds the value of the Law, he presents Jesus as the one who reveals its true meaning. Jesus says, “I have not come to abolish the law or the prophets but to fulfill” (Matthew 5:17). Yet he also critiques shallow interpretations and emphasizes inner transformation over outward ritual (15:1–20).

Church

Matthew is also the only Gospel to use the word “church”. Jesus says, “On this rock I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18), giving Peter and the church authority to bind and loose (18:18). Matthew’s community faces division and false teachings, so the Gospel emphasizes discipline, humility, and readiness.

End Times

Finally, teaching about the end times is central to Mathew’s Gospel. Jesus warns of coming judgment and urges believers to stay watchful (24:42–44). The parables of the ten virgins and the sheep and goats (Matthew 25) stress readiness and righteous action.

In short, Matthew’s Gospel presents Jesus as the promised Messiah, the divine Son, the true interpreter of the Law, and the Lord of the Church. His kingdom has already begun and soon will be revealed fully, and his disciples must live faithfully in light of this truth.

So, what do we take home from St. Matthew?

The Church is called to welcome people in all their brokenness. Like Matthew, no one is beyond the reach of grace. A true Christian response involves decision and change. It’s not enough just to know Jesus; one must rise, leave behind, follow. The example of Matthew encourages Christians to be open channels of mercy. The mission is not first about rules or exclusion but about compassion and inclusion. Also, the Church must hold together continuity with God’s promises and the newness that comes through Christ. Matthew, is an apostle who assures us of both.

(Fr. Jaya Pradeep is a priest of the Archdiocese of Delhi, India. He holds a doctorate in Biblical Theology and currently serves as the Secretary of the Catholic Biblical Association of India)