St.
Augustine of Hippo
(The Harmony of the Gospels, Vol VI, NPNF (1st))
BOOK
II
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."262
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 Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow
me. And he arose, and followed Him."263
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."264
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.265
262 Matt. ix. 9.
263 Mark ii. 13, 14.
264 Luke v. 27, 28.
265 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.]
