Matthew 4:21

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.

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}.

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.

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,

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.

Commentary

Commentary on Matthew 4:21 (KJV)

Matthew 4:21 continues the narrative of Jesus' early ministry in Galilee, specifically detailing the call of two more pivotal disciples. After calling Simon Peter and Andrew, Jesus encounters James and John, the sons of Zebedee, engaged in their daily work. This verse highlights the divine initiative in calling individuals to follow Him.

Context

This verse is situated immediately after Jesus' call of Simon Peter and Andrew (Matthew 4:18-20). Jesus is walking along the Sea of Galilee, a bustling center for fishing in the ancient world. The scene depicts a common family occupation of the time, as James and John are with their father, Zebedee, actively involved in "mending their nets." This detail suggests they were diligent, hardworking men, preparing their equipment for future catches. The call of these fishermen underscores Jesus' method of choosing ordinary people from their everyday lives to become His closest followers and establish His kingdom.

Key Themes

  • The Sovereign Call of Jesus: Jesus initiates the call, not the disciples seeking Him out. He "saw" them and "called them," demonstrating His authority and deliberate choice. This is a recurring theme in the Gospels, where Jesus actively seeks and invites individuals to follow Him.
  • Ordinary Lives, Extraordinary Purpose: James and John, like Peter and Andrew, were working in a common trade. Jesus' call transformed their mundane occupation of mending fishing nets into a sacred mission of becoming "fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19).
  • Family and Discipleship: The presence of Zebedee, their father, highlights the significant decision James and John made to leave their family business and follow Jesus. The immediate response detailed in the subsequent verse (Matthew 4:22) shows their radical commitment.

Linguistic Insights

The word "called" in Greek is kaleō (καλέω), which means to invite, summon, or name. In this context, it signifies an authoritative yet gracious invitation from Jesus to join His mission. It's more than a mere suggestion; it's a summons that demands a response, leading to a new identity and purpose for those who hear and obey.

Practical Application

Matthew 4:21 serves as a timeless reminder that Jesus often calls ordinary people from their everyday circumstances to join His work. The call to discipleship is personal and transformative. It implies a willingness to leave behind familiar comforts, occupations, or even family ties when necessary, in order to prioritize following Christ. It encourages believers today to be attentive to God's call in their own lives, understanding that He can use anyone, regardless of their background or profession, for His divine purposes.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 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.
← Back