matthew-4:17-22,-psalm-27:7-8-niv

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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 4:17

See the notes at Matthew 3:2. 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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 4:20

Straightway - Immediately - as all should do when the Lord Jesus calls them.Left their nets - Their nets were the means of their living, perhaps all their property. By leaving them immediately, and following him, they gave every evidence of sincerity. They showed, what we should, that they were willing to forsake all for the sake of Jesus, and to follow him wherever he should lead them. They went forth to persecution and death for his sake; but also to the honor of saving souls from death, and... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 4:21

And going on from thence - From the place where he had found Peter and Andrew, Matthew 4:18.Saw two other brothers - They were men engaged in the same employment, as it is probable that there were many such in the neighborhood of the lake.In a ship - A small vessel. In fact, it was little more, probably, than a sail-boat.Mending their nets - A very common employment when they were not actually engaged in fishing. read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:19

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:19

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:20

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:21

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:22

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 4:17

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

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

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 4:20

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 4:21

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