Matthew 4:18 - Meaning and Application

When Christ began to preach, he also began to gather disciples. These men would first hear his teaching and later preach it themselves. They would first witness his miracles and later testify about them to others. In these verses, we see the first disciples he called into close fellowship with himself.

This shows, first, Christ’s effectual calling, his powerful call that truly brings people to himself. In his preaching, he gave a general call to the whole country, but here he gave a special and personal call to those the Father had given him. We should admire the power of Christ’s grace, trust his word as the strength behind his work, and wait for those strong influences that make the gospel call effective. All the country was called, but these men were called out, redeemed from among the rest. Christ was revealed to them in a way he was not revealed to the world.

Second, this was also an appointment to the work of the ministry. When Christ, as a teacher, set up his great school, one of his first acts was to appoint helpers, like ushers or assistant teachers, to work in instruction. He was beginning to give gifts to people and place treasure in earthen vessels, that is, fragile human servants. This was an early sign of his care for the church.

We may notice, first, where they were called, by the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus was walking, near Capernaum. The Jews had a saying about the Sea of Tiberias, another name for this sea, that among the seven seas God made, he chose none but the Sea of Gennesaret. That fits Christ’s choice well, since he often honored this place with his presence and his miracles. Here he walked along the shore as Isaac once did in the field, and here he came to call his disciples. He did not go to Herod’s court, for few who are powerful or noble are called. He did not go to Jerusalem, among the chief priests and elders, but to the Sea of Galilee. Christ does not see as people see.

This does not mean the same power that called Peter and Andrew could not have worked on Annas and Caiaphas, the high-priestly leaders. With God, nothing is impossible. But in this, as in other things, Christ humbled himself and showed that God has chosen the poor of this world. Galilee was a more remote part of the nation. Its people were less polished and refined, and even their speech marked them as plain and uncultured. Those found at the Sea of Galilee did not have the advantages of learning, not even those of the more polished Galileans. Yet Christ went there to call the apostles who would become the chief ministers in his kingdom, because he chooses the foolish things of this world to shame the wise.

Second, we see who they were. These verses tell us of two pairs of brothers, Peter and Andrew, and James and John. The first two, and probably the second two as well, had already known Christ before (John 1:40-41), but they were not yet called into close, constant attendance on him. Christ brings poor souls into fellowship with himself little by little. They had been disciples of John the Baptist, which made them more ready to follow Christ. Those who have accepted repentance, that is, turned from sin, are welcome to the joys of faith.

They were brothers, and that is worth noticing. It is a blessing when those who are related by blood are also joined in spiritual union to Jesus Christ. It is both an honor and a comfort when people from the same family belong to God’s family.

They were also fishers. Because they were fishers, they were poor men. If they had had estates or large businesses, they would not likely have made fishing their trade, though they might have done it for pleasure. Christ does not despise the poor, and neither should we. The poor are preached the gospel, and the Fountain of honor sometimes gives greater honor to the part that lacked it most.

They were also unlearned men, not trained in books or formal study like Moses, who knew all the learning of the Egyptians. Christ sometimes chooses to give the gifts of grace to those who have least of natural gifts. Still, this does not excuse ignorant or unqualified people from rushing into the ministry. We should not expect the unusual gifts that belonged to the first apostles, but ordinary qualifications are still required. Without a proper measure of those, no one should be admitted to that work.

They were men of business, used to labor. Diligence in an honest trade is pleasing to Christ, and it does not hinder a holy life. Moses was called from keeping sheep, and David from following the ewes, to greater work. Lazy people are more open to Satan’s temptations than to God’s call.

They were also used to hardship and danger. Fishing was more laborious and risky than many other trades. Fishermen were often wet and cold. They had to watch, wait, toil, and face danger from the waters. Those who have learned to endure hardship and risk are best prepared for fellowship with Jesus Christ. Good soldiers of Christ must endure hardship.

Third, we see what they were doing. Peter and Andrew were using their nets, and James and John were mending theirs. This shows their industry and wise care. They did not ask their father for money to buy new nets, but took the trouble to repair the old ones. It is commendable to make what we have last as long as possible. James and John were with their father Zebedee, ready to help him and make his work easier. It is a hopeful sign to see children careful toward their parents and dutiful to them.

They were all busy, and none of them was idle. When Christ comes, it is good to be found at work. “Am I in Christ?” is a very necessary question, and next to it, “Am I faithful in my calling?” They were also doing different kinds of work. Two were fishing, and two were mending nets. Ministers should always be occupied, either teaching or studying. They can always find something useful to do if they do not neglect their duty. Mending nets is, in its proper time, as necessary as fishing.

Fourth, we see what the call was: “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). They had followed Christ before as ordinary disciples (John 1:37), and they could do that while still following their calling. But now they were called to a closer and steadier attendance on him, and that meant leaving their former trade. Even those who have already been called to follow Christ need to be called to follow more fully and more closely, especially when they are being prepared for the ministry.

Christ’s purpose for them was clear: “I will make you fishers of men.” This image comes from their former work as fishers.

Let them not be proud of the new honor Jesus was giving them. They were still fishers. Let them not be afraid of the new task before them, because they had already worked as fishers, and they were still fishers in another sense. Christ often spoke about spiritual and heavenly things using images from ordinary life, taken from what was around him. David was called from caring for sheep to caring for God’s people Israel, and even as king, he is still pictured as a shepherd.

Ministers are fishers of men, meaning they seek people’s souls, not to harm them, but to save them by bringing them into a new life. They must not fish for anger, money, honor, or promotion for themselves, but for souls, to win them to Christ. They watch over your souls (Heb 13:17), and they do not seek what belongs to you, but you yourselves (Co2 12:14, Co2 12:16). It is Jesus Christ who makes them fit for this work. He says, “I will make you fishers of men.” He gives them the ability, calls them, gives them authority to seek souls, and gives them wisdom to win them. Those ministers are most likely to have joy in their work whom Jesus Christ has made ready for it.

To do this work, they must first follow me. That means they must set themselves apart for close attention to Christ and for humble imitation of him. They must follow him as their guide. Those whom Christ uses in any service for him must first be fitted for it. Those who would preach Christ must first learn Christ and learn from him. How can we expect to bring others to know Christ if we do not know him well ourselves? Those who want real acquaintance with Christ must be steady and faithful in being with him. The apostles were prepared for their work by staying with Christ all the time he went in and out among them (Act 1:21). No kind of learning is better than what comes from following Christ. Joshua, by serving Moses, was prepared to succeed him.

Those who are to fish for men must follow Christ in the way they do it, with diligence, faithfulness, and tenderness. Christ is the great model for preachers, and they should work together with him.

The result of this call was striking. Peter and Andrew immediately left their nets (Mat 4:20), and James and John at once left the ship and their father (v. 22). All of them followed him. Those who want to follow Christ rightly must leave everything to follow him. Every Christian must leave all things in heart, be loose in their hold on all earthly things, and love father and mother less than Christ (Luk 14:26). They must be ready to give up their claim to them rather than give up their claim to Jesus Christ. Those set apart for the ministry must, in a special way, free themselves from the cares of this life, so they can give themselves fully to a work that needs the whole person.

This shows us the power of the Lord Jesus and gives good reason to trust his grace. How strong and effective his word is. He speaks, and it happens. The same power that went with Christ’s words, “Follow me,” went with the words, “Lazarus, come forth.” It is a power that makes people willing (Psa 110:3). This also gives us a good example of obedience to Christ’s command. All Christ’s faithful servants have this good trait, they come when called and follow wherever their Master leads them. They did not object to their current work, their family duties, the difficulty of the service, or their own lack of fitness. When called, they obeyed. Like Abraham, they went out not knowing where they were going, but knowing very well whom they were following.

James and John left their father. The passage does not say what happened to him. Their mother Salome was a regular follower of Christ, and no doubt their father Zebedee was a believer. But the call to follow Christ especially reached the younger ones. Youth is the time for learning, and it is also the time for labor. The priests served during the prime of life.