Evangelists · Apostles · Most commonly confused
Saint Matthew vs Saint John the Evangelist
Winged man or money bag vs eagle and youthful face.
Comparison table
ASaint Matthew
Winged man angel, money bag, tax table
- Coins, tax table, angel with wings at his side
- Older, bearded writer at desk
BSaint John the Evangelist
Eagle symbol, chalice, youthful apostle
- Eagle on manuscript or halo
- Younger, beardless or light beard
- Poison-cup serpent (some legends)
At a glance
- Matthew: angel/winged man, coins, writing at a desk, older
- John: eagle, younger, mystical Gospel tone, no money imagery
- Matthew: Calling from tax booth narrative, counting money
- John: Pietà support of Mary, Apocalypse visions
Why they get confused
Both evangelists hold books and appear in Gospel iconography with angelic symbols.
Similarities
- Book or scroll
- Evangelist portraits
- Four Gospels cycles
In the museum or church
Four-evangelist ceilings (Ravenna, Rome) place symbols in corners — photograph the symbol, not just the face.
Quick recognition
- Look for the four symbols: man, lion, ox, eagle.
- Money = Matthew.
Common mistakes
- Any book-holder in a tetrad = generic apostle
- Ignoring evangelist symbols in corners
Related comparisons
All comparisons
John the Evangelist vs John the Baptist
The youthful evangelist with a book vs the desert prophet with a lamb.
Saint James the Greater vs Saint John the Evangelist
Pilgrim shell and staff vs youthful evangelist with book.
Saint Matthew vs Saint Luke
Tax collector with coins vs physician with the ox.