Matthew 4:17-25
17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.
19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him.
21 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them.
22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
23 And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.
24 So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and he healed them.
25 And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.
Matthew 4:17-25: Verse-by-Verse Analysis
Verse 17: Jesus begins his ministry by preaching repentance and declaring the nearness of the kingdom of heaven. This sets the tone for his entire ministry, emphasizing the need for repentance and the imminent arrival of God’s kingdom.
Verse 18: Jesus calls Simon Peter and Andrew, who were fishermen, to follow him. This demonstrates Jesus’ power to call ordinary people to be his disciples and participate in his mission.
Verse 19: Jesus promises to transform Peter and Andrew into “fishers of men,” indicating that they will be instrumental in bringing others to faith in him. This shows Jesus’ intention to use his disciples to spread the message of the kingdom.
Verse 20: Peter and Andrew immediately respond to Jesus’ call by leaving their livelihood and following him. This highlights the disciples’ willingness to prioritize Jesus above all else and shows their faith in him.
Verse 21: Jesus also calls James and John, who were also fishermen, to follow him. They too immediately leave their work and family to become his disciples, demonstrating their commitment to Jesus.
Verse 22: James and John respond to Jesus’ call by leaving their boat and their father to follow him. This emphasizes the disciples’ complete dedication to Jesus and their willingness to leave everything behind for him.
Verse 23: Jesus begins his ministry of teaching, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing the sick in Galilee. This shows Jesus’ compassion for the suffering and his commitment to spreading the message of salvation.
Verse 24: Jesus’ fame spreads beyond Galilee to Syria, where people bring him the sick and afflicted, and he heals them. This demonstrates Jesus’ power over sickness and evil, drawing people to him through his miraculous works.
Verse 25: Great crowds follow Jesus from various regions, including Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan. This indicates the widespread impact of Jesus’ ministry and the growing interest in his message throughout the region.