Matthias of Kedesh
Old synagogue leader of Kedesh. Descended from Levi through his father, and from Aaron through his mother. He invites Jesus passing through:
"Please, enter the synagogue to give your teaching. No one has more right than You. Come and let the Word of God be in my house as it is on your lips."He publicly defends Jesus, assaulted by a hostile group who went as far as to throw stones at him: The synagogue leader rises again, patriarchal, splendid like a Moses with his white Hair, and he shouts:
- "Kedesh is a city of refuge and a Levitical city. Respect..."Jesus prophesies there for the second time the sign of Jonah instead of the sign that the hostile group demands for believing in him.[1]
- "Old stories! That no longer counts!"
Character and appearance
An imposing old man.
Apostolic journey
Witness of the Resurrection.[2]
His name
Mattathias - Matthias - Matthew: come from the Hebrew "mattityah" gift of the Eternal One - Historical reference: the father of the Maccabean brothers, liberators of Israel.[3]
Where is he mentioned in the work?
EMV 342 EMV 344
EMV 632