Matthew 4:12-24

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:19

Follow me ; come ye after me (Revised Version); δεῦτε ὀπίσω μου . There is no thought of continuous following from place to place ( ἀκολουθεῖν ) , but of immediate detachment from the present sphere of their interest and of attachment to Jesus as their leader. And I will make you fishers of men ; Mark, "to become fishers of men," laying more stress on the change in their character necessary for success in this new kind of fishing. Luke 5:10 brings out the change in the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:19

Christ's call to service. "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." From John 1:1-51 . we learn that these men were previously called to discipleship. It was well that they should have a time of fellowship with Christ before they were further called to the service of Christ. Observe how the full idea of the Messiahship was gradually unfolded, stage by stage. Our Lord never hurried. He set a noble example of "doing the next thing;" and all the Divine plan for him gradually but surely... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:20

And they straightway left their nets. (For their leaving everything Wetstein, on Matthew 4:19 , compares Epictetus, 12, ἐάν δὲ κυβερνήτης καλέσῃ τρέχε ἐπὶ τὸ πλοῖον ἀφεὶς ἐκεῖνα πάντα μηδὲν ἐπιστρεφόμενος , "If the steersman call, run to the ship, leaving all those things, without regarding anything.") The Rheims Version, with its love of archaisms, has, "But they incontinent , leaving the nettes, followed him." read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:21

Other two brethren (cf. Matthew 4:18 , note); in Matthew only. James the son of Zebedee . Why is the father of Peter and Andrew never mentioned, save incidentally, and by our Lord ( Matthew 16:17 ; John 1:42 ; John 21:15-17 )? Probably Zebedee and his wife Salome became, unlike Peter's parents, well-known believerses It may be that Peter was the eldest of the Twelve, and that his father was already dead or, though perhaps believing on Jesus, was too old to take any special part in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:22

Left the ship and their father, and followed him ( ἠκολούθησαν αὐτῷ ) St. Matthew emphasizes the facts that they left both natural relations and means of livelihood, and that here their continuous following of Christ began. St. Mark rather lay stress on their leaving the old life ( ἀπῆλθον ὀπίσω αὐτοῦ ) read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:23

And Jesus went about all Galilee ; in all Galilee (Revised Version, with the manuscripts). This indicates, not so much systematic itineration round the cities in order (contrast the simple accusative in Matthew 9:35 [ Mark 6:6 ]; 23. 15), as going hither and thither among them (cf. Acts 13:11 ). All ( Matthew 8:34 , note). Teaching … preaching … healing . Our Lord, unlike the Baptist, takes men as and where he can find them; the religious, by teaching in the synagogues; the... read more

Grupo de Marcas