Matthias the Apostle
Apostle chosen by lot to replace Judas Iscariot.
Matthias was an apostle in Christianity, chosen by God through the remaining apostles to replace Judas Iscariot after Judas's betrayal of Jesus and subsequent death. According to the Acts of the Apostles, Matthias had been with Jesus from his baptism by John until Jesus's Ascension, and his selection was made by casting lots, a unique method among the apostles. He is not named in any list of disciples or followers in the three synoptic gospels or the Gospel of John. Following the Ascension, Peter proposed that the assembled disciples, numbering about 120, nominate two men to replace Judas. They chose Joseph called Barsabbas (surnamed Justus) and Matthias. After praying for the Lord to show which of the two was chosen, they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias, who was then numbered with the eleven apostles. No further canonical information about Matthias exists. His name is variable; the Syriac version of Eusebius calls him "Tolmai," while Clement of Alexandria references Zacchaeus in a way that might suggest some identified him with Matthias, and the Clementine Recognitions identify him with Barnabas. Traditions regarding his ministry and death are vague and contradictory. Greek tradition holds he spread Christianity around Cappadocia and the coasts of the Caspian Sea, near the port Hyssus. Nicephorus states he first preached in Judaea, then in Aethiopia (by Colchis, in modern Georgia), and was crucified. Another tradition maintains he was stoned at Jerusalem by the Jews and then beheaded. Hippolytus of Rome claims he died of old age in Jerusalem. Surviving fragments of a lost Gospel of Matthias are attributed to him, but early Church Fathers considered it heretical. His feast was historically celebrated on 24 February, but in 1969 it was moved to 14 May in the Roman Calendar to avoid Lent and align with Eastertide near the Ascension.
- born
- c. 1st century AD
- died
- c. AD 80
- field
- Apostle
- nationality
- Unknown (Jewish)
- known_for
- Chosen by lot to replace Judas Iscariot as one of the twelve apostles
Lore & Background
There is no mention of Matthias among the lists of disciples in the synoptic gospels or the Gospel of John, but according to Acts, he had been with Jesus from his baptism by John until the Ascension. After Jesus's ascension, Peter proposed that the assembled disciples, numbering about 120, nominate two men to replace Judas. They chose Joseph called Barsabbas (whose surname was Justus) and Matthias. After praying, they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias, so he was numbered with the eleven apostles. No further information about Matthias is found in the canonical New Testament, and his name is variable: the Syriac version of Eusebius calls him 'Tolmai'; Clement of Alexandria refers to Zacchaeus in a way that could suggest some identified him with Matthias; the Clementine Recognitions identify him with Barnabas; and Adolf Bernhard Christoph Hilgenfeld thinks he is the same as Nathanael in the Gospel of John.
Reader's Guide
Matthias's significance lies in his unique selection as an apostle by lot, emphasizing divine choice in the early Christian community. All information concerning his ministry and death is vague and contradictory. Greek tradition says he spread Christianity around Cappadocia and on the coasts of the Caspian Sea, residing chiefly near the port Hyssus. According to Nicephorus, he first preached in Judaea, then in Aethiopia (by Colchis, now in modern-day Georgia) and was crucified. An extant Coptic Acts of Andrew and Matthias places his activity in 'the city of the cannibals' in Aethiopia. Another tradition maintains he was stoned at Jerusalem by the local populace and then beheaded. Hippolytus of Rome says he died of old age in Jerusalem. Surviving fragments of the lost Gospel of Matthias attribute it to him, but Early Church Fathers considered it heretical. The Church of England's Book of Common Prayer celebrates him on 24 February, while newer liturgies allow 14 May. His relics are claimed to be in Italy, Germany, or Georgia.
Did You Know?
- Matthias was chosen by lot, a unique method among the apostles.
- No further information about Matthias appears in the canonical New Testament after his selection.
- His name is variable: the Syriac version of Eusebius calls him 'Tolmai'.
- Tradition maintains he was stoned at Jerusalem and then beheaded, though Hippolytus of Rome says he died of old age.
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