Was the Disciple Matthew Really Named Levi?

What was the name of the tax collector that became a Disciple? Was it Matthew or Levi?

Matthew 9:9

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.

Mark 2:14

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.

Luke  5:27

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.

 

Answer:

   The answer here is really simple. This is the same person being talked about. How? Well, Matthew was a tax collector, working for the Romans. The Romans spoke Greek, and Matthew was his Greek name. Levi, however, is his Hebrew name, and those were the people he collected taxes from. So, he was known as both Levi and Matthew. The same can be said for Peter who also is called Simon in scripture. No contradiction!