Matthew 4:21 - 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, mending their nets. He called them.
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What does "Matthew 4:21" mean?
This verse from Matthew 4:21 is part of the narrative of Jesus calling his first disciples. Let's break it down:
"Going on from there": This refers to Jesus continuing his journey after calling Simon (Peter) and Andrew (4:18-20). It emphasizes the urgency and continuous nature of his mission.
"he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother": Jesus encounters another pair of brothers, James and John. The phrase "the son of Zebedee" distinguishes James from other people named James. They are specifically identified as brothers.
"in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets": The brothers are engaged in their family's trade - fishing. They are with their father, Zebedee, repairing their fishing nets. This signifies their working-class background and their involvement in the daily grind of life. Mending nets was a regular and necessary task for fishermen to ensure their livelihood.
"He called them": Jesus extends an invitation, or "call," to James and John. This is a direct and authoritative call to follow him. Like with Peter and Andrew, there's no detailed conversation or argument; Jesus simply calls them.
Significance and Meaning:
Divine Authority: Jesus' direct call demonstrates his authority and conviction. He doesn't need to persuade or convince them at length.
Radical Discipleship: The implicit assumption is that they would leave their family and their livelihood to follow Jesus. This points to the radical nature of discipleship – prioritizing following Jesus above all else.
Ordinary People: Jesus chose ordinary, working-class people to be his disciples. This emphasizes that his message is for everyone, regardless of their social status or background.
Family Business: The brothers are involved in their family business. This highlights that following Jesus often requires individuals to change the direction of their lives and potentially disrupt family expectations.
The beginning of the discipleship: This story is part of the beginning of Jesus forming his inner circle that will be critical to spreading his message.
In essence, Matthew 4:21 portrays Jesus actively recruiting disciples from ordinary walks of life, issuing a call that requires significant life changes. It demonstrates his authority and the radical commitment that discipleship demands. It is a glimpse into the beginning of the group of people that will spread the Word of God through history.
Matthew 4:21 - 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, mending their nets. He called them.
What does "Matthew 4:21" mean?
This verse from Matthew 4:21 is part of the narrative of Jesus calling his first disciples. Let's break it down:
"Going on from there": This refers to Jesus continuing his journey after calling Simon (Peter) and Andrew (4:18-20). It emphasizes the urgency and continuous nature of his mission.
"he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother": Jesus encounters another pair of brothers, James and John. The phrase "the son of Zebedee" distinguishes James from other people named James. They are specifically identified as brothers.
"in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets": The brothers are engaged in their family's trade - fishing. They are with their father, Zebedee, repairing their fishing nets. This signifies their working-class background and their involvement in the daily grind of life. Mending nets was a regular and necessary task for fishermen to ensure their livelihood.
"He called them": Jesus extends an invitation, or "call," to James and John. This is a direct and authoritative call to follow him. Like with Peter and Andrew, there's no detailed conversation or argument; Jesus simply calls them.
Significance and Meaning:
Divine Authority: Jesus' direct call demonstrates his authority and conviction. He doesn't need to persuade or convince them at length.
Radical Discipleship: The implicit assumption is that they would leave their family and their livelihood to follow Jesus. This points to the radical nature of discipleship – prioritizing following Jesus above all else.
Ordinary People: Jesus chose ordinary, working-class people to be his disciples. This emphasizes that his message is for everyone, regardless of their social status or background.
Family Business: The brothers are involved in their family business. This highlights that following Jesus often requires individuals to change the direction of their lives and potentially disrupt family expectations.
The beginning of the discipleship: This story is part of the beginning of Jesus forming his inner circle that will be critical to spreading his message.
In essence, Matthew 4:21 portrays Jesus actively recruiting disciples from ordinary walks of life, issuing a call that requires significant life changes. It demonstrates his authority and the radical commitment that discipleship demands. It is a glimpse into the beginning of the group of people that will spread the Word of God through history.