Matthew the Apostle was a first-century follower of Jesus and one of his twelve original disciples. Originally a tax collector in Capernaum, he left his profession to join the ministry. He is traditionally identified as one of the four Evangelists, as he is credited with composing the Gospel of Matthew. After the ascension of Jesus, he traveled to preach the gospel, with traditions suggesting he worked in Judea before traveling to distant lands, potentially including Ethiopia, where he is said to have died as a martyr.