(gift of God). Contraction of Mattathias. The Apostle and Evangelist. Levi (Luke 5:27-29). Son of Alphaeus (Mark 2:14). Tax-collector at Capernaum when called (Matt: 9:9). His gospel is first of N. T. Its original claimed to be the Hebrew, or Syro-Chaldaic, of Palestine. Time of writing placed at A. D. 60-66. Gist, to establish Jesus as O. T. Messiah.