MAT 4:18-22

The First Disciples

18And walking along the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers — Simon called Peter and Andrew his brother — casting a casting-net into the sea, for they were fishermen.

19And he said to them: "Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."

20And immediately, leaving the nets, they followed him.

21And going on from there, he saw two other brothers — James the son of Zebedee and John his brother — in the boat with Zebedee their father, restoring their nets; and he called them.

22And immediately, leaving the boat and their father, they followed him.

In the world it was spoken into

In first-century Galilee, fishing was a vital economic activity, particularly around the Sea of Galilee, where communities depended on the trade for sustenance and commerce. Professional fishermen like Simon, Andrew, James, and John operated within a family-based labor system, often working with relatives to manage nets and boats. The (casting net) they used required skill and coordination, as it was thrown by hand to catch fish. Mending nets was a routine but essential task, ensuring their tools remained functional for daily work. Fishing was not merely a job but a way of life tied to familial and communal obligations. When Jesus calls these men to follow Him, He uses language familiar to their trade—'fishers of men'—a metaphor that would resonate with their identity as (fishermen). His command, ('Come'), is a direct, plural imperative, addressing them collectively and inviting them into a new vocation. Leaving their nets immediately would have been a radical act, disrupting their livelihood and social roles, signaling a profound shift in allegiance and purpose.

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How other translations render this

MAT 4:18

KJV: And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
BSB: As 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.
Koinōnos: And walking along the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers — Simon called Peter and Andrew his brother — casting a casting-net into the sea, for they were fishermen.

MAT 4:19

KJV: And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
BSB: “Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”
Koinōnos: And he said to them: "Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

MAT 4:20

KJV: And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.
BSB: And at once they left their nets and followed Him.
Koinōnos: And immediately, leaving the nets, they followed him.

MAT 4:21

KJV: 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.
BSB: 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,
Koinōnos: And going on from there, he saw two other brothers — James the son of Zebedee and John his brother — in the boat with Zebedee their father, restoring their nets; and he called them.

MAT 4:22

KJV: And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.
BSB: and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed Him.
Koinōnos: And immediately, leaving the boat and their father, they followed him.

Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.

Translator's notes

MAT 4:18

of him:The word translated 'net' here specifically refers to a casting-net, which was thrown by hand, rather than a dragnet or other types of fishing nets.

MAT 4:19

Come:The term used here for 'Come' is a plural imperative, indicating that Jesus is addressing both Simon and Andrew simultaneously, inviting them together.
fishers:The word translated 'fishers' refers to someone who works with the sea, encompassing not just fishermen but also sailors or seamen, highlighting their deep connection to the maritime life.

MAT 4:21

mending:The word translated 'mending' carries the sense of restoring something to its proper, original, or complete condition, much like setting a broken bone or equipping something fully.