This story about the death of the apostle Matthew is loosely organized and takes many ideas from the Acts of Andrew and Matthias. It assumes Matthias was actually Matthew. The author mistakenly thought that Matthias and Matthew were the same person. The writing shows the simple style and limited understanding of theology that are common in later apocryphal books.
The story begins when Jesus sends Matthew to the city of Myrna, where people are described as “man-eaters.” Jesus asks Matthew to plant a staff there. Matthew obeys and also drives out the demon Asmodeus from the king’s wife and family. When he plants the staff, it grows into a tree overnight. After this miracle, Matthew preaches to the people, and they “become humanized” (that is, they stop their violent behavior and begin to live more peacefully).
Asmodeus seeks revenge and convinces the king to burn Matthew alive. When the fire starts, it destroys the golden idols and kills many soldiers. The flames then turn into a dragon that chases the king. Terrified, the king asks Matthew for help, but Matthew dies before he can respond.
The king, feeling partly sorry but not yet fully changed, places Matthew’s body in an iron casket and secretly throws it into the sea. The next day, the king sees a vision: Matthew appears on the water with two shining men and a beautiful child. The king finally believes in Christ, receives baptism, and joins the church. In a final vision, Matthew blesses the king, giving him his own name and appointing the king as a priest, with his family serving as deacons and deaconesses. Afterward, Matthew goes up to heaven with two angels.