Matthew 4:18–22

Matthew 4:18–22: Jesus Calls the First Disciples

Synopsis

This is a very short passage; Jesus goes by the Sea of Galilee, and calls his first disciples to join him: Simon (also called—and probably better known as—Peter) and his brother Andrew, and then James and his brother John. All four of them are fishermen; they are all at work, when Jesus finds them, but immediately leave their work to join him.

Thoughts

There’s not much to say about this passage, except that it’s amazing to me that these four fishermen would immediately leave what they’re doing and give up their livelihood to follow Jesus. (The passage uses the word “immediately” in both cases; Jesus calls them, and they “immediately” follow him.) It can’t really be explained other than by the working of the Lord.

The ESV Study Bible points to John 1:35–42 (ESV) , and shows that Peter and Andrew had already been disciples of Jesus for about a year, at this point. I don’t know if James and John were as well; maybe this wasn’t the first time they’d met Jesus.