Ages 5+·5 min read·New Testament·By Faithful Kids Team·Updated August 16, 2026
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Matthew the Tax Collector
Read the lesson transcript
Let me tell you about the day I picked the LAST person anyone expected me to choose.
In Israel, there was nobody more hated than a tax collector. I mean NOBODY. Here's why — the Roman Empire occupied Israel, and tax collectors were Jewish men who worked FOR Rome, collecting money from their own people. But it got worse. They were allowed to charge EXTRA and keep the difference. So they got rich by ripping off their own neighbors, their own families, their own nation. People saw them as traitors. Thieves. Scum.
And one of them was a man named Matthew.
I walked right up to his tax booth. He was sitting there, probably counting coins, surrounded by the stench of everyone's disgust. People crossed the street to avoid him. Religious leaders wouldn't even look his direction. He was the outcast of outcasts.
I looked him straight in the eyes and said two words: "Follow me."
That's it. No lecture. No conditions. No "clean up your life first and then we'll talk." Just — follow me.
And Matthew? He stood up. Left the money on the table. Left the booth. Left his ENTIRE career. And followed me. Just like that.
But we weren't done. Matthew threw a huge dinner at his house, and guess who was on the guest list? Tax collectors. Sinners. The people nobody else would eat with. And there I was, right in the middle of it, laughing, talking, sharing a meal with all of them.
The religious leaders — the Pharisees — were FURIOUS. They pulled my disciples aside and hissed, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?!"
I heard them. And I turned around and gave them an answer they never forgot: "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
Think about that. A doctor doesn't sit in the waiting room with people who feel fine. A doctor goes to the people who are hurting. That's exactly what I do.
Here's what I want you to carry with you: I go to the people everyone else avoids. The loners. The outcasts. The ones with bad reputations. The ones who feel too far gone. Nobody is too messed up for me. Nobody is beyond my reach. I didn't come for the people who think they've got it all together. I came for the ones who KNOW they need help. And if that's you today — good. That means my invitation is for you. Follow me.
This retelling is one of our 200 Bible stories for kids — the whole Bible, free, from Genesis to Revelation.
Series: Jesus Begins Ministry (Episode 09 of 10) | Scripture: Matthew/Mark/Luke/John | Ages 5+
Matthew the Tax Collector is a Bible story from Matthew/Mark/Luke/John in the New Testament. This retelling is designed for kids ages 5 and up, using simple language they can understand and lessons they will remember.
What Is the Story of Matthew the Tax Collector for Kids?
JESUS BEGINS HIS MINISTRY — EPISODE 9 "Matthew the Tax Collector" Based on Matthew 9:9-13
Let me tell you about the day I picked the LAST person anyone expected me to choose.
In Israel, there was nobody more hated than a tax collector. I mean NOBODY. Here's why — the Roman Empire occupied Israel, and tax collectors were Jewish men who worked FOR Rome, collecting money from their own people. But it got worse. They were allowed to charge EXTRA and keep the difference. So they got rich by ripping off their own neighbors, their own families, their own nation. People saw them as traitors. Thieves. Scum.
I walked right up to his tax booth. He was sitting there, probably counting coins, surrounded by the stench of everyone's disgust. People crossed the street to avoid him. Religious leaders wouldn't even look his direction. He was the outcast of outcasts.
This story comes from Matthew/Mark/Luke/John and is part of the New Testament.
What Does the Story of Matthew the Tax Collector Teach Children?
The story of Matthew the Tax Collector teaches children important lessons about calling, healing, compassion, faith:
This story teaches children about calling in a way they can understand
God's love and faithfulness are visible throughout this story
Every Bible story connects to the bigger picture of God's plan for the world
Key Bible Verse
"Follow me." — Matthew 9:9
Parent's Guide: Why This Story Matters
Every Bible story is an opportunity to talk with your child about faith in a natural, low-pressure way. After watching, ask an open-ended question like 'What was your favorite part?' or 'What do you think God was trying to teach us?' These conversations do not need to be long or perfect. The goal is simply to make the Bible feel like a living, relevant part of your family's life, not something dusty on a shelf.
Quiz: Test What Your Child Learned
After watching the video, see if your child can answer these questions:
Why were tax collectors so hated in Israel?
They worked for Rome and cheated their own people.
What did Jesus say to Matthew at the tax booth?
"Follow me.".
What did Matthew do after Jesus called him?
He got up, left everything, and followed Jesus.
Why were the Pharisees upset with Jesus?
He ate dinner with tax collectors and sinners.
What did Jesus say about why He came?
"I came not for the righteous, but for sinners.".
Discussion Questions for Families
Use these questions at the dinner table or during bedtime:
What was your favorite part of the story of Matthew the Tax Collector?
What do you think God was teaching us through this story?
How can we be more like Matthew in our own lives?
If you were in this story, what would you have done differently?
What does this story teach us about trusting God?
More Episodes in the Jesus Begins Ministry Series
This story is episode 09 of 10 in the Jesus Begins Ministry series:
Faithful Kids has 300+ Bible story videos covering the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Every story is a short video lesson, designed for kids Ages 5+, with a quiz after each lesson. No ads, ever.
What is the story of Matthew the Tax Collector about for kids?
Matthew the Tax Collector is a story from Matthew/Mark/Luke/John. JESUS BEGINS HIS MINISTRY — EPISODE 9 "Matthew the Tax Collector" Based on Matthew 9:9-13
What age is the story of Matthew the Tax Collector appropriate for?
This retelling of Matthew the Tax Collector is designed for children Ages 5+. The language is simple and age-appropriate, and the video is just a few minutes long, perfect for young attention spans.
Where is Matthew the Tax Collector found in the Bible?
Matthew the Tax Collector is found in Matthew/Mark/Luke/John in the New Testament. It is part of the Jesus Begins Ministry series on Faithful Kids.
Is there a video of Matthew the Tax Collector for kids?
Yes. Faithful Kids has a short video retelling of Matthew the Tax Collector designed for children, with narration, visuals, and a comprehension quiz. Watch it here.
How can I use Matthew the Tax Collector for Sunday School or homeschool?
Play the short Faithful Kids video as an introduction, then use the discussion questions above for group conversation. The built-in quiz checks comprehension. Many Sunday school teachers and homeschool parents use Faithful Kids as weekly curriculum.
What does Matthew the Tax Collector teach kids?
The story of Matthew the Tax Collector teaches children about calling, healing, compassion, faith. This story teaches children about calling in a way they can understand.
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