St. Matthew Coloring Page
This St. Matthew coloring page shows the apostle writing his Gospel with a quill pen while a small angel holds his inkpot, and a money bag left behind at his feet. The PDF is free to print. Matthew was a tax collector who left everything when Jesus said, "Follow me."
The story of St. Matthew
In the town of Capernaum, by the Sea of Galilee, a man named Matthew sat at a table every day collecting taxes. People did not like tax collectors very much. Many of them took more money than they should, and they worked for the Romans, who ruled the land. Some people would not even eat at the same table as a tax collector.
One day Jesus walked by. He looked at Matthew, sitting there with his coins, and said two words: "Follow me." And Matthew got up, left his money table behind, and followed Jesus! He was so happy that he threw a big dinner party at his house and invited Jesus and lots of his friends.
Some important people grumbled. "Why does Jesus eat with tax collectors and sinners?" Jesus answered that a doctor comes for people who are sick, not people who are well. He came to call sinners home to God. That is good news for every one of us.
Matthew became one of the twelve apostles. He walked with Jesus, listened to his teaching and saw his miracles. After Jesus rose from the dead, Matthew went out to tell the world about him. The Church has named him as the writer of the first Gospel, the one that tells us about the Wise Men, the Beatitudes and the Our Father. Old stories say he preached in faraway lands and died for his faith.
We celebrate St. Matthew on September 21.
What to color
- Matthew's cloak and tunic: red, green, blue or brown, the colors painters often chose for the apostles.
- The angel: Matthew's special sign. Color the wings white or soft blue, with a bright smile.
- The book and pen: the Gospel he wrote. A brown or red cover with gold edges looks lovely.
- The money bag and coins: gold and silver, left behind on the floor, because Matthew chose Jesus over money.
- The halo: yellow or gold.
A prayer to pray together
The best prayer for Matthew's day is the one Jesus taught in Matthew's own Gospel, the Our Father (Matthew 6:9–13). Pray it slowly together, then add:
St. Matthew, pray for us, and help us follow Jesus when he calls.
Ideas for families and classrooms
- Color this page on September 21, St. Matthew's feast.
- Read the story of his call in Matthew 9:9–13, and act it out with a pretend money table.
- Play "Follow me": one person leads and everyone copies. Then talk about how following Jesus means doing what he did.
- Matthew is one of the twelve apostles and the patron saint of accountants and bankers. Do you know anyone who works with money? Say a prayer for them.
- Talk about it: what is something you could set aside to spend more time with Jesus?
Read the full story: St. Matthew the Apostle in the encyclopedia.
Frequently asked questions
What colors should I use for St. Matthew?
Many paintings give Matthew a red or green cloak over a blue or brown tunic. Make the angel's wings white or light blue, the coins gold or silver, and his halo yellow.
Why is there an angel with St. Matthew?
Each Gospel writer has a sign. Matthew's is a man with wings, because his Gospel begins with the list of Jesus' human family, his grandparents' grandparents all the way back to Abraham. Over time artists painted the winged man as an angel helping Matthew write.
Why does St. Matthew have a money bag?
Matthew was a tax collector who sat at a table counting money. When Jesus called him, he got up and left it all behind. The money bag reminds us of what he gave up to follow Jesus.
Is this coloring page free for schools?
Yes. Print as many copies as you need for your home, classroom or parish.