Matthew 4:19

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 4:18-22

When Christ began to preach, he began to gather disciples, who should now be the hearers, and hereafter the preachers, of his doctrine, who should now be witnesses of his miracles, and hereafter concerning them. Now, in these verses, we have an account of the first disciples that he called into fellowship with himself. And this was an instance, 1. Of effectual calling to Christ. In all his preaching he gave a common call to all the country, but in this he gave a special and particular call to... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 4:18-22

4:18-22 While he was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew. his brother, casting their net into the sea, for they were fishermen. He said to them 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men:' They immediately left their nets and followed him. He went on from there and saw other two brothers, James, Zebedee's son, and John, his brother. They were in the boat with Zebedee their father getting ready their nets for use. So he called... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 4:19

And he saith unto them, follow me ,.... These two brethren had been the disciples of John, as Theophylact thinks, and which seems agreeable to John 1:35 and though through John's pointing out Christ unto them, they had some knowledge of him, and conversation with him, yet they abode with him but for that day, John 1:37 and afterwards returned to their master; and upon his imprisonment, betook themselves to their former employment: from whence Christ now calls them to be his disciples,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 4:19

Follow me - Come after me, δευτε οπισω μου . Receive my doctrines, imitate me in my conduct - in every respect be my disciples. We may observe that most of the calls of God to man are expressed in a few solemn words, which alarm, the conscience, and deeply impress the heart. I will make you fishers of men - Ezekiel 47:8-10 , casts much light on this place; and to this prophet our Lord probably alludes. To follow Christ, and be admitted into a partnership of his ministry, is a great... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:12-22

Call of the fishermen. I. THE OCCASION OF THE CALL . Driven from Nazareth, our Lord repaired to the busy western shore of the Sea of Galilee. Through this district ran the great caravan-roads; and several important towns gathered all kinds of tradesmen. Herod the tetrarch had his court in Tiberias. The valuable fishings in the lake gave employment to many. Courtiers, soldiers, tax-gatherers, watching the caravans and fisheries, fishermen, women reputable and disreputable, filled... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:12-25

The beginning of our Lord's ministry. I. HE REMOVES TO CAPERNAUM . 1 . John was cast into prison. His ministry was ended; the Lord's begins. God continues his'servants' work; when one passes away, another takes his place; when the voice of one prophet is silenced, a greater follows, Each must work in faith while time is given; the work is not man's, but God's. He will fulfil it. His servants may seem to be laid aside and to be forgotten; he will carry on their work. He does not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:18-22

The summons to help in his work: his first formal adherents. On the relation of this call to the meeting with Andrew and Peter, recorded in John 1:40-42 , vide especially Bishop Westcott there. That was "the establishment of a personal relationship;" this "a call to an official work." read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:18-22

"Fishers of men." Jesus was not content to preach the word and leave it to work unseen and uncared for. He desired to gather in a harvest of souls. His first effort in this direction was to form a little group of recognized and confessed disciples who should help him in his great work. Himself the supreme Fisher of men, he drew choice souls that he might fit them to undertake the same work in seeking for others, I. THE FISHERS . 1 . Their relationship. Brothers. Family union is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:18-22

The call of Christ to his first disciples. In the light of what we read in John 1:38-42 , we may regard the present passage as giving the account of the formal and final call of the four disciples named Peter, Andrew, James, and John. Note may also be taken of the circumstance that these four were all fishers. Notice— I. THE CALL ITSELF IN THESE ORIGINAL EXAMPLES OF IT . And under this general head consider: 1 . What it is in the essential meaning of it. The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:18-22

The ministerial vocation. The Sea of Galilee, on the shore of which Jesus walked, was an inland lake of about six miles broad and seventeen long. It was surrounded by a varied scenery of mountain and valley, amidst which were embosomed several populous villages and towns. Henceforth this region was destined to become the theatre of many a wonderful history. The history before us invites attention to a vocation, a voice, and persons called. I. THE VOCATION . 1 . The call was to... read more

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