Which Disciple Was Tax Collector: Matthew, Also Called Levi
The disciple who was a tax collector was Matthew, also identified in the parallel Gospel accounts as Levi. Matthew 9:9 says Jesus saw Matthew sitting at a tax collector’s booth and called him to follow. Mark 2:14 names Levi son of Alphaeus at the tax booth, and Luke 5:27 describes Levi as a tax collector who left everything and followed Jesus. This guide answers the Bible question clearly, explains why tax collectors were controversial in Jesus’ time, compares Matthew with Zacchaeus, and also helps modern readers who searched “tax collector” while trying to find a real property-tax payment office.
The disciple who was a tax collector was Matthew. In Matthew 9:9, Jesus sees Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth and says, “Follow me.” In Mark 2:14 and Luke 5:27, the same calling is described with the name Levi, a tax collector sitting at his booth. Many Christians understand Matthew and Levi as the same person, which is why the answer is commonly given as Matthew, also called Levi.
Bible sources: Matthew 9:9-13, Mark 2:14-17 and Luke 5:27-32.Which Apostle Was a Tax Collector? The Bible Points to Matthew
The clearest direct answer comes from Matthew 9:9. The verse names Matthew and places him at a tax collector’s booth when Jesus calls him to follow.
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Matthew’s call is also connected with a meal where many tax collectors and others are present. That detail matters because the story is not only about Matthew’s job. It also shows Jesus calling someone from a disliked occupation and welcoming people who were often treated as outsiders.
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| Bible passage | Name used | What the passage says |
|---|---|---|
| Matthew 9:9 | Matthew | Jesus sees Matthew at the tax collector’s booth and calls him to follow. |
| Mark 2:14 | Levi son of Alphaeus | Jesus sees Levi at the tax booth and calls him to follow. |
| Luke 5:27 | Levi | Jesus sees a tax collector named Levi at his booth and calls him to follow. |
Because Matthew names the tax collector as Matthew, while Mark and Luke describe the tax collector as Levi, many readers ask whether Matthew and Levi are the same person. The common answer in Christian teaching is yes: Matthew is the disciple, and Levi is another name or identifying name used in the parallel accounts.
Compare sources: Mark 2:14-17 and Luke 5:27-32.Was Matthew Also Called Levi?
The short practical answer is that the tax collector disciple is usually identified as Matthew, and the parallel accounts in Mark and Luke call him Levi.
This is why searchers may see different answers depending on which Gospel they read first. If the question is “which disciple was a tax collector,” the expected answer is Matthew. If the question is “who was Levi the tax collector,” the answer points to the same calling scene in Mark and Luke.
Bible comparison: Matthew 9, Mark 2 and Luke 5 compared.Answer for Sunday school
The disciple who was a tax collector was Matthew.
Answer with detail
Matthew, also called Levi in Mark and Luke, was the tax collector Jesus called from the tax booth.
Answer with caution
The Bible passages use both Matthew and Levi, so it is helpful to mention both names when teaching or writing.
What Did a Tax Collector Do in Jesus’ Time?
A tax collector in the Gospel setting was not the same as a modern county treasurer or property tax office. Tax collectors were often associated with Roman or local government tax systems, tolls, customs and revenue collection.
Many Jewish people disliked tax collectors because they were seen as cooperating with unpopular rulers and because tax collection could be connected with overcharging, social shame or moral suspicion. That background helps explain why the Pharisees objected when Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners after calling Matthew.
Context passage: Matthew 9:10-13.| Old Gospel setting | Modern property tax office | Why searchers get confused |
|---|---|---|
| A person collecting taxes, tolls or customs under a disliked system. | A county, city or municipal office collecting property taxes under local law. | The phrase “tax collector” appears in both Bible study and property tax payment searches. |
| Matthew was called from a tax booth to follow Jesus. | Taxpayers search for office hours, payment portals, mailing addresses and receipts. | Search engines may mix Bible questions with local tax office intent. |
Was Zacchaeus the Disciple Who Was a Tax Collector?
No. Zacchaeus was a tax collector in Luke 19, but he was not one of the Twelve disciples. The disciple or apostle known as the tax collector is Matthew.
Zacchaeus is important because his story also shows repentance, generosity and Jesus’ willingness to enter the home of someone socially rejected. But when the question asks “which disciple was a tax collector,” the answer is not Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector in Jericho, while Matthew was called to be a disciple.
Related reading: Luke 19:1-10.Matthew
One of the Twelve, called from a tax collector’s booth, also identified as Levi in Mark and Luke.
Zacchaeus
A chief tax collector in Luke 19, but not listed as one of the Twelve disciples.
Bible Answer Tool and Modern Tax Collector Intent Router
Use these tools to separate the Bible question from the modern property-tax office search. They are educational and planning tools only, not official religious, legal, tax or government advice.
Disciple Tax Collector Answer Finder
Select the search phrase closest to your question and get the correct short answer.
Modern Property Tax Office Router
If you searched “tax collector” because you need to pay property tax, choose your task below. This does not identify your official office by itself; it explains which type of local office usually handles the task.
Video: Gospel of Matthew Overview
This BibleProject video gives a helpful overview of the Gospel of Matthew. It is not a replacement for reading Matthew 9:9, Mark 2:14 and Luke 5:27, but it helps place Matthew’s story inside the larger Gospel narrative.
Video source: BibleProject Gospel of Matthew overview.Video note
This video is included for educational context. The direct answer to “which disciple was a tax collector” comes from the Bible passages linked in this article, especially Matthew 9:9.
If You Meant a Modern Tax Collector Office: How to Pay Property Tax
Some people reach this page after searching “tax collector” while they actually need a local property tax office, payment portal, mailing address, office hours or receipt. In modern U.S. property tax searches, the correct office depends on your county, city, parish, township, borough or municipality.
A modern tax collector office usually helps with property tax bills, payment status, receipts, installment deadlines, delinquent interest, tax sale notices, mailing addresses, drop boxes and online payment portals. A tax assessor usually handles assessed value, exemptions, property records, tax maps and appeal questions.
To pay a bill
Search for your county, city or township tax collector plus “pay property tax online.” Verify the official government domain before paying.
To find office hours
Use the official tax collector, treasurer or revenue office page. Check holiday closures before visiting.
To dispute value
Do not use the payment office. Look for your assessor, appraisal district, property valuation office or assessment appeal board.
Bible Tax Collector vs Modern Property Tax Collector
The same words can mean very different things. In the Bible question, the tax collector is Matthew. In a modern payment question, the tax collector is usually a local government office.
| Search intent | Best answer | Helpful next step |
|---|---|---|
| Which disciple was a tax collector? | Matthew, also called Levi. | Read Matthew 9:9, Mark 2:14 and Luke 5:27. |
| Which apostle was tax collector? | Matthew. | Mention Levi if comparing Gospel accounts. |
| Was Zacchaeus the tax collector disciple? | No, Zacchaeus was a tax collector but not one of the Twelve. | Read Luke 19 separately. |
| Pay property tax office | Use your local tax collector, treasurer or revenue office. | Search by county/city and verify official government portal. |
Why Matthew’s Tax Collector Background Matters
Matthew’s background matters because Jesus did not choose only socially respected people. He called a tax collector, ate with tax collectors and sinners, and challenged the assumption that religious respectability was the same as readiness to follow God.
For Bible study, the point is not merely that Matthew had a disliked job. The point is that Jesus called him to leave that life and follow. Luke’s account emphasizes that Levi left everything and followed Jesus. That gives the story a practical spiritual meaning: calling, repentance, new identity and welcome.
Bible source: Luke 5:27-32.Calling
Jesus calls Matthew directly at the tax booth.
Response
Matthew/Levi follows Jesus instead of remaining defined by his tax booth.
Controversy
Jesus’ meal with tax collectors creates criticism, which becomes part of the teaching moment.
Sources and Related TaxCollectors.org Guides
Use Bible passages for the disciple question. Use official local government pages for real property-tax payments. Do not mix religious study answers with payment portals.
Which Disciple Was a Tax Collector FAQ
These answers cover the most common search questions about Matthew, Levi, tax collectors in the Bible, Zacchaeus and modern tax collector office searches.
Which disciple was a tax collector?
The disciple who was a tax collector was Matthew. In Matthew 9:9, Jesus calls Matthew from a tax collector’s booth.
Which apostle was a tax collector before following Jesus?
Matthew was the apostle who was a tax collector before following Jesus. Mark and Luke describe the same calling scene with the name Levi.
Was Matthew also called Levi?
Many Christians identify Matthew and Levi as the same person because Matthew 9 names Matthew, while Mark 2 and Luke 5 name Levi in a very similar tax-booth calling scene.
What Bible verse says Matthew was a tax collector?
Matthew 9:9 is the clearest verse naming Matthew at the tax collector’s booth. Mark 2:14 and Luke 5:27 give the parallel account using the name Levi.
Was Zacchaeus one of the disciples?
No. Zacchaeus was a tax collector in Luke 19, but he was not one of the Twelve disciples. The tax collector disciple was Matthew.
Why were tax collectors disliked in the Bible?
Tax collectors were often disliked because they were associated with unpopular political power, revenue collection and possible overcharging. This background helps explain the criticism when Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners.
Did Matthew write the Gospel of Matthew?
The Gospel is traditionally associated with Matthew. This page focuses on the Bible question that Matthew, also called Levi in parallel accounts, was the tax collector disciple.
Is a biblical tax collector the same as a modern property tax collector?
No. A biblical tax collector in the Gospel setting was a person involved in tax or toll collection. A modern property tax collector is usually a local government office that collects property taxes and issues payment records.
What should I do if I meant pay property tax?
Search for your county, city, township or parish tax collector, treasurer or revenue office. Verify the official government portal before entering payment information.
Is TaxCollectors.org a Bible authority or official tax office?
No. TaxCollectors.org is an independent guide. For Bible study, read the passages directly. For property tax payment, verify details with your official local tax office.
Final Answer: Matthew Was the Tax Collector Disciple
The disciple who was a tax collector was Matthew. In the parallel Gospel accounts, he is identified as Levi. If you are answering a quiz, Sunday school question or Bible study prompt, the simple answer is Matthew. If you want the complete answer, say: Matthew, also called Levi, was the tax collector Jesus called from the tax booth.
Primary sources: Matthew 9:9-13, Mark 2:14-17 and Luke 5:27-32.If your search was not about the Bible and you need to pay modern property tax, use your local tax collector, treasurer or revenue office. Confirm the official payment portal, mailing address, due date, convenience fee and receipt before paying.
Modern tax office starting point: TaxCollectors.org property tax office guides.Independent guide and verification note
This page is an independent TaxCollectors.org guide for people searching “which disciple was a tax collector,” “which apostle was a tax collector,” “Matthew tax collector,” “Levi tax collector,” or “pay property tax office.” It is not an official church, seminary, Bible publisher, county tax collector, city treasurer, legal adviser or tax adviser.
For Bible study, read the Bible passages directly and compare translations if needed. For modern property tax payment, verify all payment links, office hours, due dates, fees, account balances, mailing addresses, receipts and delinquent-tax rules directly with your official local government office before paying.