King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James [the son] of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Going on from there, he saw two other brothers -- Ya'akov Ben-Zavdai and Yochanan his brother -- in the boat with their father Zavdai, repairing their nets; and he called them.
Berean Standard Bible:
Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. Jesus called them,
American Standard Version:
And going on from thence he saw two other brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And{G2532} going on{G4260} from thence{G1564}, he saw{G1492} other{G243} two{G1417} brethren{G80}, James{G2385} the son of{G3588} Zebedee{G2199}, and{G2532} John{G2491} his{G846} brother{G80}, in{G1722} a ship{G4143} with{G3326} Zebedee{G2199} their{G846} father{G3962}, mending{G2675} their{G846} nets{G1350}; and{G2532} he called{G2564} them{G846}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Mark 1:19
- And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the [son] of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.
Mark 1:20
- And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.
Matthew 10:2
- Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James [the son] of Zebedee, and John his brother;
Mark 3:17
- And James the [son] of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder:
John 21:2
- There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the [sons] of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.
Luke 5:10
- And so [was] also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.
Luke 5:11
- And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.
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Commentary for Matthew 4:21
Matthew 4:21 is part of the narrative in the Gospel of Matthew that describes the calling of the first disciples by Jesus Christ. The verse specifically recounts the moment when Jesus, having just called Peter and Andrew to follow him and become "fishers of men," continues along the Sea of Galilee and encounters James and John, the sons of Zebedee. These brothers are engaged in their familial occupation, mending their fishing nets, which is a labor-intensive and meticulous task essential to their livelihood.
The historical context of this event is set in the first century C.E. during the early ministry of Jesus in the region of Galilee, an area known for its fishing industry. The Sea of Galilee was a significant source of employment and sustenance for many, including these fishermen. The calling of James and John is significant because it illustrates Jesus' method of choosing disciples from ordinary people engaged in everyday work, signifying the inclusivity of his message and mission.
The themes present in this verse include the transformative power of Jesus' call, as he invites these individuals to leave their familiar way of life and embark on a spiritual journey with profound implications. It also highlights the theme of discipleship, which involves immediate and unquestioning obedience to Jesus' invitation to follow him. The act of mending nets can be seen as a metaphor for the repair and restoration that Jesus brings to people's lives, as well as the preparation needed for the work of spreading the Gospel. Additionally, the calling of James and John prefigures their important roles in the early Christian community, as they become part of Jesus' inner circle, along with Peter, and are witnesses to key events in the Gospel narrative, such as the Transfiguration and the Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane.
In summary, Matthew 4:21 captures a pivotal moment in the lives of James and John, as they are called away from their occupation as fishermen to become disciples of Jesus. This event is emblematic of Jesus' broader mission to gather followers from diverse backgrounds and vocations, equipping them to participate in the redemptive work of God's kingdom.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: G2532
There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καί
Transliteration: kaí
Pronunciation: kahee
Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet. - Strong's Number: G4260
There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: προβαίνω
Transliteration: probaínō
Pronunciation: prob-ah'-ee-no
Description: from πρό and the base of βάσις; to walk forward, i.e. advance (literally, or in years):--+ be of a great age, go farther (on), be well stricken. - Strong's Number: G1564
There are 27 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐκεῖθεν
Transliteration: ekeîthen
Pronunciation: ek-i'-then
Description: from ἐκεῖ; thence:--from that place, (from) thence, there. - Strong's Number: G1492
There are 626 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: εἴδω
Transliteration: eídō
Pronunciation: i'-do
Description: a primary verb; used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent ὀπτάνομαι and ὁράω; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know:--be aware, behold, X can (+ not tell), consider, (have) know(-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wish, wot. Compare ὀπτάνομαι. - Strong's Number: G243
There are 164 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἄλλος
Transliteration: állos
Pronunciation: al'-los
Description: a primary word; "else," i.e. different (in many applications):--more, one (another), (an-, some an-)other(-s, -wise). - Strong's Number: G1417
There are 124 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: δύο
Transliteration: dýo
Pronunciation: doo'-o
Description: a primary numeral; "two":--both, twain, two. - Strong's Number: G80
There are 344 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀδελφός
Transliteration: adelphós
Pronunciation: ad-el-fos'
Description: from Α (as a connective particle) and (the womb); a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like Α):--brother. - Strong's Number: G2385
There are 38 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: Ἰάκωβος
Transliteration: Iákōbos
Pronunciation: ee-ak'-o-bos
Description: the same as Ἰακώβ Græcized; Jacobus, the name of three Israelites:--James. - Strong's Number: G3588
There are 498 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὁ
Transliteration: ho
Pronunciation: to
Description: the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc. - Strong's Number: G2199
There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: Ζεβεδαῖος
Transliteration: Zebedaîos
Pronunciation: dzeb-ed-ah'-yos
Description: of Hebrew origin (compare זַבְדִּי); Zebedæus, an Israelite:--Zebedee. - Strong's Number: G2491
There are 130 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: Ἰωάννης
Transliteration: Iōánnēs
Pronunciation: ee-o-an'-nace
Description: of Hebrew origin (יוֹחָנָן); Joannes (i.e. Jochanan), the name of four Israelites:--John. - Strong's Number: G846
There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: αὐτός
Transliteration: autós
Pronunciation: ow-tos'
Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ. - Strong's Number: G1722
There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐν
Transliteration: en
Pronunciation: en
Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition. - Strong's Number: G4143
There are 64 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πλοῖον
Transliteration: ploîon
Pronunciation: ploy'-on
Description: from πλέω; a sailer, i.e. vessel:--ship(-ing). - Strong's Number: G3326
There are 445 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μετά
Transliteration: metá
Pronunciation: met-ah'
Description: a primary preposition (often used adverbially); properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession) with which it is joined; occupying an intermediate position between ἀπό or ἐκ and εἰς or πρός; less intimate than ἐν and less close than σύν):--after(-ward), X that he again, against, among, X and, + follow, hence, hereafter, in, of, (up-)on, + our, X and setting, since, (un-)to, + together, when, with (+ -out). Often used in composition, in substantially the same relations of participation or proximity, and transfer or sequence. - Strong's Number: G3962
There are 372 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πατήρ
Transliteration: patḗr
Pronunciation: pat-ayr'
Description: apparently a primary word; a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote):--father, parent. - Strong's Number: G2675
There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καταρτίζω
Transliteration: katartízō
Pronunciation: kat-ar-tid'-zo
Description: from κατά and a derivative of ἄρτιος; to complete thoroughly, i.e. repair (literally or figuratively) or adjust:--fit, frame, mend, (make) perfect(-ly join together), prepare, restore. - Strong's Number: G1350
There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: δίκτυον
Transliteration: díktyon
Pronunciation: dik'-too-on
Description: probably from a primary verb (to cast); a seine (for fishing):--net. - Strong's Number: G2564
There are 138 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καλέω
Transliteration: kaléō
Pronunciation: kal-eh'-o
Description: akin to the base of κελεύω; to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise):--bid, call (forth), (whose, whose sur-)name (was (called)).