The Most Unlikely Disciple and the Importance of Invitation

Angie Allen of Catholic Exchange describes the conversion of Levi, also known as Matthew, as one of the most significant among the twelve disciples due to the nature of his previous life. As a tax collector working for the Romans, Levi was viewed as a traitor by the Jewish community because he collected money from his own people to benefit himself.

The Roman tax system at the time encouraged greed by allowing collectors to keep any funds gathered above the required government amount. This practice often led to extortion, as collectors sought to maximize their personal profits by squeezing money from citizens, including those living in poverty. Because of this role, Levi was widely despised before his encounter with Jesus.