Matthew 4:18-22
18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.
19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”
20 At once they left their nets and followed him.
21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them,
22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Matthew 4:18-22: Verse-by-Verse Analysis
Verse 18: Jesus, while walking by the Sea of Galilee, encounters two brothers, Simon Peter and Andrew, who were fishermen. This sets the stage for Jesus calling his disciples from among ordinary working people.
Verse 19: Jesus invites Simon Peter and Andrew to follow him, promising to make them fishers of people. This signifies a shift in their purpose from catching fish to spreading the message of Jesus.
Verse 20: Simon Peter and Andrew respond immediately to Jesus’ call, leaving behind their livelihood as fishermen to become his disciples. This demonstrates their willingness to prioritize following Jesus above all else.
Verse 21: Jesus then sees two more brothers, James and John, who were also fishermen with their father Zebedee. Jesus calls them to follow him as well, showing that his call to discipleship is not limited to just a few individuals.
Verse 22: James and John, upon hearing Jesus’ call, leave their boat and their father to follow him. This emphasizes the radical nature of discipleship, requiring a complete commitment and willingness to leave behind one’s previous life to follow Jesus.