Matthew facts for kids

Matthew is a name that can mean different things! It is a popular boy's name, but it also refers to an important person in the Bible, a book in the Bible, a famous ship, and even a powerful hurricane.

Matthew: A Popular Name

The name Matthew is a boy's name that comes from an old Hebrew name, "Matityahu." This name means "gift of God." It has been a very popular name for many centuries and is used all over the world.

Famous People Named Matthew

Many people throughout history have been named Matthew. It is a classic name that continues to be chosen by parents today.

Matthew the Evangelist

Matthew the Evangelist was one of the twelve main followers, or disciples, of Jesus Christ. He is a very important figure in Christianity.

Matthew's Life Before Jesus

Before he became a disciple, Matthew worked as a tax collector. In those times, tax collectors were often not very popular because they collected money for the Roman government.

Matthew's Role as an Evangelist

Matthew is known as an "Evangelist" because he wrote one of the four Gospels in the New Testament of the Bible. The Gospels tell the story of Jesus's life and teachings.

The Gospel of Matthew

The Gospel of Matthew is the first book in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It is believed to have been written by Matthew the Evangelist.

What the Gospel of Matthew is About

This book tells the story of Jesus Christ, from his birth and early life to his teachings, miracles, death, and resurrection. It includes many famous parts, like the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus teaches important lessons. The Gospel of Matthew was written to show that Jesus was the Messiah, the promised leader that people had been waiting for.

The Ship Matthew

The Matthew was a famous sailing ship from the 15th century. It played an important role in the history of exploration.

The Matthew's Voyage

In 1497, the ship Matthew sailed from Bristol, England, across the Atlantic Ocean to North America. The captain of this voyage was an explorer named John Cabot. This journey was one of the first European expeditions to North America after the Vikings.

Hurricane Matthew

Hurricane Matthew was a very powerful tropical storm that happened in 2016. It was one of the strongest hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean in many years.

The Strength of Hurricane Matthew

Hurricane Matthew reached Category 5 strength, which is the highest level for a hurricane. This means it had incredibly strong winds, over 157 miles per hour (252 kilometers per hour). The hurricane caused a lot of damage as it moved through the Caribbean Sea and along the southeastern coast of the United States.