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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

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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 4:18

Sea of Galilee - This was also called the Sea of Tiberias and the Lake of Gennesareth, and also the Sea of Chinnereth, Numbers 34:11; Deuteronomy 3:17; Joshua 12:3. Its form is an irregular oval, with the large end to the north. It is about 14 miles in length, and from 6 miles to 9 miles in width. It is about 600 feet lower than the Mediterranean, and this great depression accounts for some of its special phenomena. There is no part of Palestine, it is said, which can be compared in beauty with... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 4:19

Fishers of men - Ministers or preachers of the gospel, whose business it shall be to win souls to Christ. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 4:18

Matthew 4:18. And Jesus, walking, &c., saw two brethren One of the two, at least, namely, Andrew, had been a disciple of the Baptist. And the Apostle John “informs us, John 1:40; John 1:42, that they had both before been called to the knowledge of Christ, upon the banks of Jordan, and that the name of Peter had been given to Simon. And it is probable that, from their first acquaintance with him, they followed Jesus for some time, and went with him to Cana and Capernaum, John 2:3;... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 4:19-20

Matthew 4:19-20. He saith unto them Namely, after some previous circumstances, an account of which is given, Luke 5:1-11. Follow me That is, not only now and then, as you have hitherto done, since my baptism, John 1:37; but now leave your ordinary employments, and become my constant attendants; that by continually hearing my doctrine, and seeing my miracles, you may be fitted, in due time, to become my messengers to mankind. It is observable that, when God has called men to offices of... read more

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