Opinion on the name ‘Matthew’

Having read & heard so much revelation of God’s truths from the book of Matthew, it came to memory about someone had previously commented that she doesn’t like the name ‘Matthew’ because he is a tax collector.

To be honest, when I first heard about this comment being made, it was grieved. But I focused on being objective & decided not to let this person’s comment bother me. I thank God that this morning, I have come to know that I can & should stand firm & proud to be called ‘Matthew’, for this truth has suddenly be revealed to me - for it is really about how we choose to view this name.

For that person (& perhaps others who may think along this same line of thought), the name ‘Matthew’ reflects the name of a tax collector. But that’s because –

In the Objective context:

1) Mindset of Prior Negativity

In objective view of all the names that can be possibly thought of & called, it is simply naive to derive & imply such negativity from something as simple as a name, just because ONE particular tax collector happened to be named ‘Matthew’.

2) Prejudice against Occupation

What is wrong with being a tax collector? It is a job that is illegal, immoral or unwholesome? If so, then people with this mindset should rise up against the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS), shouldn’t they? Or just sit back & live with their grudge & subjectivity within themselves.

In any case, it is our duty as to pay taxes as it is our due to the government of our country. For it is also a form of work by our ministers & comprises their income. They have themselves & families to feed too… unless it is high tax extortion, which isn’t so.

And btw, if you read Matthew 9:9, on the calling of Matthew, it clearly states that Matthew was sitting at the tax collector’s booth. SITTING. He wasn’t going around beating, bullying & extorting taxes from people.

In the Biblical context:

1) Meaning of the name ‘Matthew’

Names in the Bible are given because it has to reflect or relate something about God. In this case, ‘Matthew’ means ‘Gift of the Lord’. How can it be justifiable that a person criticizes & insults such name, especially with such meaning? It should be an honor to be called ‘Matthew’ & testify its true meaning as clearly mentioned in God’s word!

2) Marketplace Calling / Evangelism

It would be gravely mistaken & terribly misunderstood if anyone viewed Jesus’ intention to call Matthew to follow Him because the job of a tax collector is bad or wrong. Jesus never once criticizes this job as so, even if the people didn’t like tax collectors, just because they take money from them. People’s opinions are not necessarily Jesus’ opinions. And if anyone chooses to think in this manner, it is the choice of that individual & not to be implied as the opinion of the Son of God.

Jesus’ intention of calling Matthew is similar to why he called some of his other disciples – coz Jesus wanted to use people that are in the marketplace!

It wasn’t because of holiness of job, if not Jesus would have picked a priest with absolute & outstanding knowledge of the 10 Commandments. And it surely wasn’t because Matthew the tax collector was a sinner, coz all of us are sinners since the time of Adam & Eve.

But it is precisely because Jesus wanted to show that He desired mercy to all sinners, that’s why Jesus said in Matthew 9:13, “Go & learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

3) Turned Apostle / Disciple

Lastly, Matthew was called, he didn’t argue, dispute or criticize Jesus, but Matthew just got up & followed Jesus. And he became one of Jesus’ disciples who were later tasked to go out into the world to carry on what Jesus has been doing while on Earth.

If this is not convincing enough, please remember that Matthew was also the author of the book of Matthew in God’s word.

Final Conclusion

It is very hurtful to hear criticisms like this made to someone who has been given a name… what more, a name in the context & relation to our living God.

Thus, I would urge all who feel compelled to judge, to think twice… or at least, in view of our human flaws, seek to understand the truth before criticizing.