Our Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist Plaque is exquisite. St. Matthew (Hebrew: מַתִּתְיָהוּ Mattityahu “Gift of the LORD”; Greek: Ματθαῖος Matthaios) was one of the original Twelve Apostles and one of the Four Evangelists. Saint Matthew is the patron saint of accountants, bankers, tax collectors (and, by extension, of the IRS?). This the perfect gift for the feast day of St. Matthew on September 21st. This bronze plaque is indeed a most fitting gift for a birthday, baptism, confirmation, and, of course, for Christmas (a great stocking stuffer!).
A Wall Plaque in Three Sizes
This plaque comes in three sizes: small (p132k – 2 x 1.8 inches), medium (p82m – 4 x 3.5 inches), or large (p256g – 7.9 x 6.3 inches). A notch on the back of this solid bronze plaque makes for easy hanging on any wall in the office or at home. This plaque – conceived and cast in Germany by a bronze-smith of world renown – is an ideal gift for that special “Matthew” or “Matt” in your life!
Matthew the Tax Collector
Matthew (in German, Matthäus) is depicted on this plaque composing the Gospel of Matthew (with the helpful promptings of an angel). In Christian tradition the four “living creatures” who stand around the God’s throne in Revelation 4:7 have long been matched up with the four Evangelists: Matthew and the human (angel), Saint Mark and the lion, Luke and the ox, and Saint John and the eagle. In background on the top left of this plaque, Jesus calls Matthew to follow him and leave behind the security and guaranteed high income of his job collecting taxes for Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee, from the Jewish people. Jews like Matthew who became wealthy in this way were utterly despised and ostracized. When Matthew invited Jesus to his home for a feast, the Scribes and Pharisees vehemently criticized Jesus for eating with tax collectors and sinners. Jesus said in response, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
