Matthew 4:18-22
Calling the First Disciples
Read the passage
18As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.
19“Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”
20And at once they left their nets and followed Him.
21Going 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,
22and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed Him.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
Jesus walks beside the Sea of Galilee and sees Simon Peter and Andrew casting a net. He calls them to follow him and promises to make them fishers of people. They immediately leave their nets. A little farther on, Jesus sees James and John with their father Zebedee in the boat repairing nets. He calls them, and they leave the boat and their father.
The response is striking because these men do not receive a detailed job description first. They trust Jesus enough to move when he calls. Matthew also gives us the cost: nets, a boat, a trade, and family ties are involved. The passage should not be turned into a command for every Christian to abandon ordinary responsibilities. It does show that Jesus has a claim greater than comfort, income, or even a familiar family role.
Jesus promises to make them fishers of men. They do not arrive already prepared for the work ahead. He calls them to follow Him, and He will form them for their new task. Their confidence can rest in the One who calls, rather than in their own readiness.
Matthew repeats the immediacy of their response. Simon and Andrew leave their nets at once; James and John leave their boat and father immediately. Following Jesus becomes a real change in their lives, not an intention saved for a more convenient day.
These men will learn by staying with Jesus, hearing His teaching and seeing His works. This first response begins their discipleship; it does not mean they understand everything yet. The Lord’s call gives them someone to follow before they can see the whole road.
How We Know
Mark 1:16–20 also records the two pairs of brothers leaving their nets to follow Jesus. Luke 5:1–11 describes a miraculous catch, Peter’s confession of sin and Jesus’ promise that he will catch people. The accounts share the call from fishing to following Jesus, while each tells it with different details. Matthew emphasizes Jesus’ authoritative call and the brothers’ immediate response.
Questions
1 Whom does Jesus call, and what work does he give them?
AnswerJesus calls Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John. He tells Simon and Andrew to follow Him and promises to make them fishers of men.
2 What does each pair leave behind?
AnswerSimon and Andrew leave their nets, while James and John leave their boat and their father. Matthew makes the cost visible without telling us that every disciple will leave in precisely the same way.
3 What does their immediate response show about discipleship?
AnswerIt calls us to follow Jesus with a willingness to release whatever has become more important than obedience. It also calls us to use our work and relationships for the good of people rather than only for personal security.
4 Which priority may be crowding out faithful attention to people?
AnswerIdentify one priority that is crowding out faithful attention to people. Change one practice this week—make time to serve, welcome someone, or release a needless attachment—while keeping legitimate responsibilities in view.
What This Means for Us
The first disciples show that Jesus' call reaches into work and family, not only into private beliefs. Their obedience costs something, but Matthew does not invite us to romanticize leaving. Jesus' call must be understood truthfully and lived responsibly.
“Fishers of people” is a picture of gathering, not exploiting. Christian witness should draw people toward Jesus through truth, patience, and service; it should never treat people as targets, numbers, or possessions. A home that follows Jesus becomes more attentive to people, not more eager to control them.
Choose one place where your household can use its skills, time, or resources for another person's good. Make the action concrete, and make sure it honors existing duties rather than using discipleship to excuse them.
Prayer
Jesus, call us beyond comfort without making us careless with the people entrusted to us. Redirect our work, resources, and relationships toward the good of others, and keep our witness truthful, humble, and free from control. Amen.