MATHEW (saint), fl. first century A.D., is the reputed author of the Gospel that bears his name. Jesus called him from the toll house or "receipt of custom," for he was a tax collector (Matthew 9:9; 10:3). He is called Levi, son of Alphaeus, Mark 2:13; Luke 5:27-29. His symbol is a man because his genealogies emphasize the human family of Jesus. Jacobus de Voragine gives a life of St. Matthew, Legenda aurea, CXL.

The Pardoner refers to Matthew 5:34 on swearing, PardT 633-634. Chaucer the pilgrim points out that there are different ways to tell the same story, as the evangelists have done, Thop 943-952. The Parson quotes Matthew 19:5, ParsT 842; Matthew 5:28 at ParsT 845; Matthew 5:14-16, ParsT 1036-1037.

The name occurs medially, PardT 634; Thop 951.