Chapter XXVI.—Of the Calling of Matthew, and of the Question Whether Matthew’s Own Account is in Harmony with Those of Mark and Luke When They Speak of Levi the Son of Alphaeus.

59. Matthew next continues his narrative in the following terms:—“And as Jesus passed forth from thence, He saw a man named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and He saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed Him.”424    Matt. ix. 9. Mark gives this story also, and keeps the same order, bringing it in after the notice of the healing of the man who was sick of the palsy. His version runs thus: “And He went forth again by the sea-side; and all the multitude resorted unto Him, and He taught them. And as He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphæus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed Him.”425    Mark ii. 13, 14. There is no contradiction here; for Matthew is the same person with Levi. Luke also introduces this after the story of the healing of the same man who was sick of the palsy. He writes in these terms: “And after these things He went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and He said unto him, Follow me. And he left all, rose up, and followed Him.”426    Luke v. 27, 28. Now, from this it will appear to be the most reasonable explanation to say that Matthew records these things here in the form of things previously passed over, and now brought to mind. For certainly we must believe that Matthew’s calling took place before the delivery of the sermon on the mount. For Luke tells us that on this mountain on that occasion the election was made of all these twelve, whom Jesus also named apostles, out of the larger body of the disciples. 427    Luke vi. 13. [This fact shows that the order of Matthew is not chronological. Indeed, as Augustin goes on, he is led more and more to accept the order of the other evangelists.—R.]

CAPUT XXVI. De vocatione quoque Matthaei, utrum Marco et Lucae qui dicunt Levin Alphaei, idem Matthaeus congruat.

59. Hinc ergo sequitur Matthaeus, dicens: Et cum transiret inde Jesus, vidit hominem sedentem in telonio, Matthaeum nomine, et ait illi, Sequere me: et surgens secutus est eum (Matth. IX, 9). Hoc Marcus ita narrat, eumdem etiam ipse ordinem tenens post illius paralytici sanitatem: Et egressus est, inquit, ad mare, omnisque turba veniebat ad eum, et docebat eos. Et cum praeteriret, vidit Levi Alphaei sedentem ad telonium, et ait illi, Sequere me: et surgens secutus est eum (Marc. II, 13, 14). Nil hic repugnat; ipse est enim Matthaeus qui et Levi. Lucas etiam hoc post eumdem paralyticum sanatum ita subjungit: Et post haec exiit, et vidit publicanum nomine Levi sedentem ad telonium, et ait illi, Sequere me. Et relictis omnibus, surgens secutus est eum (Luc. V, 27, 28). Hinc autem probabilius videtur quod haec praetermissa recordando Matthaeus commemorat: quia utique ante illum sermonem habitum in monte, credendum est vocatum esse Matthaeum. In eo quippe monte tunc Lucas commemorat omnes duodecim ex plurimis discipulis electos, quos et Apostolos nominavit (Id. VI, 13).