Mark 2:14 – Given the uncertainty around “Levi” and “Matthew,” could this naming discrepancy indicate a historical or textual inconsistency? Background on Mark 2:14 Mark 2:14 in the Berean Standard Bible reads: “As He was walking along, He saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth. ‘Follow Me,’ He told him, and Levi got up and followed Him.” At issue is whether “Levi” in Mark’s account is the same person as “Matthew” in Matthew 9:9. Some have wondered if this indicates a discrepancy within the Gospel narratives. Below is a comprehensive exploration of the relevant details and how they fit within the larger context of Scripture and historical documentation. I. The Use of Multiple Names in the Gospels The practice of individuals having more than one name in the biblical era is well documented. It was not unusual for a single person to be known by different names or nicknames: 1. Saul, also called Paul (Acts 13:9). 2. Simon, also called Peter (Mark 3:16; John 1:42). 3. John, also called Mark (Acts 12:12, 25). In similar fashion, the individual referred to as Levi in Mark 2:14 (and Luke 5:27) is widely understood to be the same individual Matthew mentions in Matthew 9:9: “As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax booth. ‘Follow Me,’ He told him, and he got up and followed Him”. The textual evidence points to the same event, the same vocation (tax collector), and a consistent overarching narrative describing the calling of a disciple who leaves his tax collector’s booth. II. Examination of the Textual Evidence 1. Consistency in Manuscript Traditions Early Greek manuscripts of the Gospels (such as those reflected in Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Vaticanus) consistently identify “Levi” in Mark 2:14 and “Matthew” in Matthew 9:9. There is no alternate reading that suggests a confusion of persons. Instead, each Gospel uses its respective name for a disciple otherwise recognized as the same man. 2. Comparing Synoptic Accounts The Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) often record the same events with varying detail or emphasis. In this instance, Mark and Luke (Luke 5:27) call the disciple “Levi,” while Matthew names him “Matthew.” Yet they all describe an identical scenario: • A tax collector. • Sitting at the tax booth. • Called by Jesus. • Instant obedience and subsequent discipleship. The parallel nature of these accounts demonstrates agreement rather than conflict. III. Cultural and Literary Reasons for Different Names It was frequent in first-century Jewish culture for individuals to have both a Semitic name (e.g., Levi) and a Hellenized or otherwise alternative name (e.g., Matthew). The Gospels may preserve these differences: 1. Levi could represent his Jewish heritage, as he might have descended from the tribe of Levi, or it could have been his given birth name. 2. Matthew (possibly meaning “gift of God”) could have been a name he adopted (or was given) upon becoming a disciple, highlighting a spiritual transformation akin to Simon receiving the name Peter. IV. Early Church Recognition Early church fathers and writings (though not always extensive on this issue) accept that Levi and Matthew are references to the same apostle. No significant early Christian tradition disputes the identity of Matthew as author of the Gospel bearing his name or that this disciple was formerly a tax collector called by Christ. Additionally, no early commentary suggests the existence of two different tax-collector disciples. Instead, consistent testimony teaches that the disciple was one man with multiple name designations. V. Theological and Narrative Harmony 1. A Single Disciple with Two Names Far from being an inconsistency, the dual naming underscores the unity and coherence across the Gospel narratives. Each writer addresses his audience specifically. Mark, who likely recorded Peter’s teachings, retains the name Levi, while Matthew’s Gospel—traditionally attributed to the apostle himself—names him as Matthew. Both references stress the same call to follow Jesus. 2. Illustration of Jesus’ Transforming Power If Levi and Matthew are the same person, this transformation from a tax collector to a disciple and author of the first Gospel (in the canonical order) demonstrates how God calls people from various vocations and backgrounds, reorienting their lives for His glory. VI. Archaeological, Cultural, and Linguistic Corroborations 1. Multiple Names in Ancient Documents Beyond biblical books, numerous papyri and inscriptions from the first century affirm the practice of one individual possessing multiple names—especially in contexts where Hebrew and Greek or Aramaic and Greek would overlap. This cultural reality mirrors what we observe in the Gospels. 2. Tax Collectors in Galilee Archaeological findings, including ancient tax receipt fragments from Roman-ruled territories, show the presence of local Jewish tax collectors working under Roman authority. Nothing in the record contradicts the existence of a tax collector named Levi (or Matthew) in Galilee. VII. Conclusion The naming variation between Mark 2:14 (“Levi”) and Matthew 9:9 (“Matthew”) does not suggest a historical or textual error. Instead, it reflects the common biblical custom of individuals bearing multiple names. The consistent witness of the Gospel manuscripts, the parallel descriptions of the calling, and the corroborating cultural practices point to one individual known interchangeably by two names. This dual naming invites a closer look at the kind of transformation Jesus brings to those He calls—whether named Levi or Matthew, his obedience and ultimate role in the spread of the Gospel is unmistakably singular and unified. |
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