Matthew 4 18

Matthew 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.

Matthew 4:18 nkjv

And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.

Matthew 4:18 niv

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 lake, for they were fishermen.

Matthew 4:18 esv

While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.

Matthew 4:18 nlt

One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers ? Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew ? throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living.

Matthew 4 verses

Matthew 4 18 Meaning

Matthew 4:18 recounts the initiation of Jesus' public ministry by calling His first disciples, Simon Peter and Andrew. As Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, He encountered the two brothers who were working as fishermen, engaged in their daily task of casting nets. This verse marks the beginning of the formation of Jesus' core group of followers, signaling a pivotal shift from John the Baptist's preparatory work to Jesus' active kingdom proclamation and discipleship. It illustrates Jesus' divine authority and intentional selection of ordinary individuals for extraordinary purposes.

Matthew 4 18 Context

This verse is situated immediately after Jesus' significant ministry transition and the beginning of His public preaching. Matthew chapter 4 begins with Jesus' temptation in the wilderness, His triumphant overcoming of Satan's schemes, and then His relocation from Nazareth to Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee (Mt 4:12-13). This move fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah concerning "Galilee of the Gentiles" (Isa 9:1-2), signifying light coming to a previously neglected region. Jesus then commences His preaching with the foundational message, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Mt 4:17). Matthew 4:18, therefore, initiates the gathering of the first disciples, demonstrating Jesus' authority not only in word but also in His ability to call and elicit immediate obedience from common individuals, laying the groundwork for His teaching, healing, and kingdom demonstration. The choice of fishermen highlights that God's work is not dependent on societal status or religious training, but on availability and responsiveness.

Matthew 4 18 Word Analysis

• And (Καὶ - Kai) Jesus (Ἰησοῦς - Iēsous): Signifies a continuation of Jesus' public activity after His proclamation of the Kingdom. Jesus, as the subject, maintains the focus of the narrative. Iēsous is the Greek form of the Hebrew "Yeshua" or "Joshua," meaning "Yahweh saves."
• walking by (περιπατῶν - peripatōn): A present active participle, indicating ongoing action. Jesus was not static but actively moving and observing. This highlights His initiative and intentionality in seeking out disciples rather than waiting for them to come to Him. It portrays Jesus as deeply engaged with human life, not distant or aloof.
• the Sea (θάλασσαν - thalassan) of Galilee (Γαλιλαίας - Galilaias): The largest freshwater lake in Galilee, central to the region's economy and life, especially fishing. This location links Jesus to the ordinary, hardworking people rather than the religious centers of Jerusalem, reinforcing His ministry to all, including Gentiles. The name "Galilee of the Gentiles" from Isa 9:1 implies its mixed population.
• He saw (εἶδεν - eiden): Simple past tense, highlighting a decisive act of observation. Jesus "saw" not just the individuals, but their readiness, their context, and their potential in His divine plan.
• two brothers (δύο ἀδελφούς - dyo adelphous): Specifically identifying the family relationship, emphasizing an initial unit of followers.
• Simon (Σίμωνα - Simōna): A common Hebrew name (Shim'on) that would be re-named "Peter" by Jesus, signifying his future role. This foreshadows a deeper calling and transformation.
• who is called (τὸν λεγόμενον - ton legomenon) Peter (Πέτρον - Petron): Indicates his eventual, prominent name which means "Rock." While perhaps already an appellation, Matthew introduces it early, emphasizing Peter's future significance.
• and Andrew (Ἀνδρέαν - Andrean) his (αὐτοῦ - autou) brother (ἀδελφὸν - adelphon): Andrew is Greek for "manly" and holds the distinction of often being presented as a facilitator, bringing others to Jesus (e.g., John 1:40-42). Their fraternal bond underscores a relatable human dynamic at the outset of the disciple group.
• casting (βάλλοντας - ballontas) a net (ἀμφίβληστρον - amphiblēstron): Describes their professional activity. Amphiblēstron refers specifically to a "casting net" or "dragnet," used by individuals or small groups from shore or shallow boats. This imagery sets up the subsequent metaphorical "fishers of men." Their diligent work suggests a practical, focused nature, fitting for the demanding life of discipleship.
• into the sea (εἰς τὴν θάλασσαν - eis tēn thalassan): Reinforces their deep immersion in their daily profession, illustrating the depth of what they would leave behind.
• for they (ἦσαν γὰρ - ēsan gar) were fishermen (ἁλιεῖς - halieis): This concluding clause confirms their livelihood, status, and expertise. Their background is ordinary, emphasizing that Jesus called everyday people from their regular occupations, not priests or scribes from religious institutions, to begin His new movement. Halieis (fishermen) would soon take on a new, spiritual significance through Jesus' words.

Matthew 4 18 Bonus section

• Polemics: While not a direct polemic, Jesus' choice to call common, uneducated fishermen from Galilee rather than religious leaders or students from Jerusalem's prestigious schools implicitly challenged the existing religious hierarchy and its focus on intellectual elite and traditional piety. It highlighted that God's new work transcended the human constructs of authority and status, leaning towards those perceived as "unclean" or "ignorant" by the Jewish establishment (Jn 7:49, Acts 4:13).
• The Power of Proximity: The verse implies that Jesus sought out His disciples where they were actively engaged in life. He didn't issue a general call from a distant platform but encountered them in their labor, demonstrating His personal interest in and connection with everyday human existence.
• Foreshadowing Transformation: The mention of "Simon, who is called Peter" in this early stage foreshadows his crucial future role as the "rock" on which the church would be built (Mt 16:18), hinting at the divine purpose and identity awaiting these ordinary men through their commitment to Jesus.

Matthew 4 18 Commentary

Matthew 4:18 is a concise yet profound narrative initiating Jesus' Kingdom ministry. It showcases Jesus' proactive leadership as He seeks out His first disciples, rather than waiting to be sought. The location, the Sea of Galilee, emphasizes Jesus' focus on ordinary people in everyday settings, bypassing the established religious centers and hierarchies of Jerusalem. The selection of common fishermen, like Simon and Andrew, is deeply significant. These were not theological scholars or wealthy elites, but working men familiar with perseverance, cooperation, and the rhythm of nature. This choice aligns with God's historical pattern of choosing the humble to confound the proud, underscoring that discipleship is based on availability and obedience, not human qualifications. Their immediate call to leave their trade, depicted as "casting a net," provides the natural bridge to Jesus' transformative metaphor of becoming "fishers of men" in the very next verse. The verse highlights the radical nature of Jesus' summons, demanding a complete reorientation of life around Him and His mission, which they immediately obeyed, signifying a genuine encounter with divine authority.