Jesus’ choice of Matthew, a tax collector, as one of His disciples was a bold and deliberate move. In a society that despised tax collectors as corrupt traitors, Jesus extended grace and called Matthew not because of his past, but in spite of it. This moment reveals a core truth about Jesus’ mission: He came not for the religiously qualified but for the spiritually broken. Matthew’s immediate response to Jesus’ call also shows the power of grace to transform a life instantly.
What makes Matthew’s story even more powerful is how God used him afterward — not just as a follower, but as the writer of the first Gospel. His background, his social circles, and even his flaws were all repurposed for God’s glory. Jesus choosing Matthew is a reminder that no one is too far gone to be used by God. Keep reading to unpack the biblical details, learn why this decision still matters today, and discover how it can reshape how you see yourself and others.
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If you’ve ever wondered why Jesus picked Matthew—a tax collector, of all people—to be one of His closest followers, you’re not alone. It seems like a strange choice. Tax collectors in Jesus’ time were far from popular. They were seen as corrupt, greedy, and traitorous. So why would Jesus call someone like that to follow Him?
Let’s break down what the Bible actually says and get clear on the significance of this choice.
Who Was Matthew?
Matthew, also called Levi in the Gospels (see Mark 2:14 and Luke 5:27), was a Jewish tax collector working for the Roman government. That job made him a social outcast. Why?
Because:
- He worked for the enemy — Rome ruled over Israel, and tax collectors were seen as traitors.
- He handled dirty money — Many collected more than what was owed and kept the extra for themselves.
- He hung out with sinners — Other tax collectors, prostitutes, and known “sinners” were his crowd.
So by all religious standards of the day, Matthew was spiritually unqualified and morally suspect. And yet, Jesus chose him anyway.
The Call of Matthew: What the Bible Says
Here’s the scene in Matthew 9:9:
“As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. ‘Follow Me,’ He told him, and Matthew got up and followed Him.”
That’s it. No backstory, no debate. Jesus sees him, speaks, and Matthew obeys.
What’s important here is:
- Jesus initiates — Matthew doesn’t ask to follow Jesus. Jesus calls him.
- Immediate response — Matthew doesn’t hesitate. He leaves everything and follows.
This was radical. A man who lived off exploiting others drops it all in a heartbeat. Why?
Because Jesus offered something Matthew had never been offered: grace.
Why Did Jesus Choose Matthew?
Let’s look at five clear reasons rooted in Scripture and the nature of Jesus’ mission.
1. To Show That No One Is Too Far Gone
Jesus came to save the lost — and Matthew was a perfect example.
“For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” — Matthew 9:13
Jesus didn’t come looking for people who already had it all together. He came for those who knew they needed help. By choosing Matthew, He made a clear statement: God’s grace isn’t reserved for the “good enough.” It’s for everyone.
2. To Challenge Religious Elitism
The Pharisees couldn’t believe Jesus would associate with a tax collector. In Matthew 9:11, they asked His disciples:
“Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
Jesus’ response?
“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.” — Matthew 9:12
Jesus constantly challenged the idea that spiritual status was tied to outward performance. He picked Matthew to push back against the judgmental religious culture of the time.
3. Matthew Had Influence Others Didn’t
After his call, Matthew threw a feast for Jesus and invited all his friends — other tax collectors and sinners (Luke 5:29). This gave Jesus access to a group the religious leaders ignored.
Matthew used his network for good. His influence, previously used for selfish gain, became a way to connect others to Jesus.
This shows a key truth: God can use your past, even the broken parts, for His purpose.
4. Matthew Would Write One of the Four Gospels
The Gospel of Matthew — the first book in the New Testament — is written by this same tax collector. He went from corrupt bureaucrat to Gospel writer.
That’s no accident.
His Gospel was:
- Written primarily to a Jewish audience
- Packed with Old Testament references
- Focused on proving that Jesus is the promised Messiah
God used Matthew’s understanding of Jewish law and detail-oriented mind (perfect for a tax collector) to preserve Jesus’ teachings in written form.
5. Jesus Sees Potential, Not Past Mistakes
Where others saw a traitor, Jesus saw a disciple.
That’s a central theme of Jesus’ ministry — seeing what people can become, not just what they’ve been.
Paul later writes:
“God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise… the weak things… the lowly things… so that no one may boast before Him.” — 1 Corinthians 1:27–29
Matthew wasn’t a mistake. He was a message.
What Can You Learn From Matthew?
Jesus’ call to Matthew is personal, bold, and inclusive. It offers some key takeaways:
1. You’re Not Disqualified by Your Past
You don’t have to clean up your life before Jesus calls you. He meets you where you are — even if that’s behind a tax booth, in the middle of a mess.
2. Grace Requires a Response
Matthew didn’t just listen — he followed. He left everything. Real transformation comes from obedience, not just belief.
3. Your Story Can Impact Others
Matthew’s past didn’t just get redeemed — it got repurposed. He reached people no one else could. You can too.
4. Jesus Uses Unlikely People
If you feel unqualified, overlooked, or unworthy, remember — so did Matthew. But that didn’t stop Jesus.
Final Thoughts: Why It Matters
Jesus choosing Matthew wasn’t random. It was intentional. It was a statement.
It said:
- Grace trumps reputation.
- Mercy outweighs judgment.
- God can use anyone — even a tax collector — for something eternal.
When you understand why Jesus chose Matthew, it changes how you see yourself — and others. You stop disqualifying people based on appearances. You start seeing potential where others see problems.
Jesus didn’t come to build a religious club. He came to build a kingdom. And in that kingdom, there’s room for tax collectors, sinners, skeptics, and saints — all transformed by grace.
If He could use Matthew, He can use you too.
🔎 FAQs: Why Did Jesus Choose Matthew, a Tax Collector, as a Disciple?
1. Why did Jesus choose Matthew, a tax collector, to be one of His disciples?
Jesus chose Matthew, a tax collector, to demonstrate that His grace extends to all people — even the outcasts. By calling someone despised by society, Jesus showed that no one is beyond redemption.
2. What does Matthew’s background as a tax collector tell us about Jesus’ mission?
The fact that Jesus chose Matthew, a tax collector, as a disciple shows that His mission was to seek and save the lost, not just the religious elite. He came for sinners, not the self-righteous.
3. How does Matthew’s story illustrate Jesus’ grace?
Matthew’s call is a clear picture of grace: Jesus chose him while he was still a tax collector — not after he cleaned up his life. It proves that God’s call is based on grace, not merit.
4. Was Matthew accepted by other disciples despite being a tax collector?
While the Bible doesn’t go into detail, it’s likely that Matthew’s calling caused tension. But Jesus’ inclusion of Matthew, a tax collector, as a disciple taught them all about acceptance, forgiveness, and unity in His kingdom.
5. Did Matthew’s job disqualify him from following Jesus?
No, it didn’t. In fact, Jesus choosing Matthew, a tax collector, shows that your past doesn’t disqualify you. Jesus looks at the heart and potential for transformation, not just your history.
6. How did Matthew respond when Jesus called him?
Matthew immediately left his tax booth and followed Jesus. This quick response highlights the power of Jesus’ call and Matthew’s willingness to leave his old life behind.
7. What happened after Jesus called Matthew?
After Jesus chose Matthew, the tax collector threw a feast for Jesus and invited other tax collectors and sinners. This became a moment for Jesus to reach even more outcasts (Luke 5:29-32).
8. What role did Matthew play after becoming a disciple?
Matthew became one of the Twelve Apostles and later wrote the Gospel of Matthew. Jesus choosing a tax collector to become a Gospel writer shows how God can redeem and repurpose anyone’s life.
9. What lesson should we take from Jesus calling Matthew?
When Jesus chose Matthew, a tax collector, He taught that no one is too far gone for God. It challenges us to see people through the lens of grace, not judgment.
10. Why is Matthew’s story important for Christians today?
Matthew’s transformation reminds us that Jesus calls imperfect people to do incredible things. It’s a message of hope — that God uses ordinary, even broken, people to fulfill His extraordinary purpose.
