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Explanation for:
Matthew
4
:
19
And he saith to them: Come ye after me, and I will make you to be fishers of men.
9
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"Ephraem the Syrian","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88b589fc3e99eb7bb1839_Ephraem%20the%20Syrian.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"The fishermen left their trade and became bearers of the Gospel, fulfilling the prophecy: “Behold, I send ... hunters, and .... they shall take you on every mountain and hill” (cf. Jer. 16:16). Had I chosen the learned, it might have been claimed that they won over the people by clever arguments or outsmarted them. Likewise, had I sent the affluent, it could be argued that they enticed the masses through their wealth or gained influence via the distribution of riches. Similarly, it would have been said that the powerful, with their impressive feats, had either entranced the populace or overthrown them by force. However, the apostles lacked all these attributes, a fact exemplified in Simon. This disciple was hesitant, as seen when the servant girl’s words caused him to tremble (Matt. 26:69-70). He was without material wealth, unable to pay even his own taxes, as he remarked, “I have neither silver nor gold” (cf. Acts 3:6). Furthermore, he was an ordinary individual who, when denying the Lord, struggled to find a way to conceal himself. Thus, these fishermen triumphed over the strong, the wealthy, and the wise — a remarkable miracle! In their weakness, they attracted the strong to their teachings without resorting to force; in their poverty, they imparted wisdom to the rich, and through their humble status, they guided scholars and learned individuals into discipleship. Temporal knowledge yielded to a higher understanding, the Knowledge above all knowledge."},{"author-name":"Anonymous Commentary (Opus Imperfectum)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":4,"exegesis-text":"And He said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” In other words, I will transform you into instructors, so that through the net of the Word of God, you may bring souls to safety in this treacherous world, filled with storms and turmoil, unstable and unfaithful, perpetually hazardous and dependable to no one, where individuals do not simply walk, but are compelled to run as if against their own will. For in his rage, the devil concocts many temptations for humanity, misleading them under the illusion that he will grant their every desire, and eagerly pushes them toward wicked actions, leading to a situation where individuals turn against one another, akin to fish, where the stronger consume the weaker.\\n\\nYet when individuals enter the bounteous realm of the Body of Christ and become part of His Body, they do not flourish in that fertile land, a place sweet and ever at peace, where no overwhelming tempests exist, except those meant to test faith and foster endurance. People should walk rather than be tossed about, and they ought not to devour one another, but rather support each other in unity. The Lord states, \\"Here, I present to you a new gospel and an extraordinary net made of diverse speeches and coherent parables, wondrous miracles, and varied teachings.\\" This net is crafted from a multitude of narratives, weaving back and forth like waves, interlinked like durable knots, with threats of judgment and promises of joy, and securely held together by divine providence and an understanding of hidden thoughts, confessions of demons, and the resurrection of the dead. It is provided so that, by capturing discerning individuals, this net may keep them safe within its embrace, ensuring that those ensnared do not escape unintentionally, as if through a gap unnoticed by the Holy Spirit who crafted the net."},{"author-name":"Chromatius of Aquileia","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88a3df6d7a747a33b4f4a_Chromatius%20of%20Aquileia.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":5,"exegesis-text":"In this instance, they truly demonstrated their identity as sons of Abraham, for when they heard the call of God, they chose to follow the Savior. They promptly abandoned their earthly endeavors in pursuit of lasting treasures, leaving behind their earthly father to embrace their heavenly Father, which justifies their selection. The Lord called the fishermen, who, having transitioned from their daily labor of catching fish to a more noble vocation, shifted their focus from temporal fishing to divine fishing. Their mission was to rescue humanity from the depths of ignorance for salvation, as the Lord Himself instructed them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” He had previously foretold this, proclaiming through the prophet Jeremiah: “Behold, I will send a multitude of fishers, says the Lord, and they shall catch them; and then I will send a multitude of hunters, and they shall hunt them.” Therefore, the apostles were recognized not only as fishermen but also as hunters: fishermen because they draw believers from the world with the nets of the Gospel, and hunters as they pursue souls wandering in the confusion of this world, akin to a forest, using a heavenly pursuit for their salvation."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"Christ, in granting them forgiveness, seeks to bring them back and instructs them to follow him, so that, instead of their fishing nets, they may receive an enlightened net from him, and by casting it into the sea of life, they will capture souls rather than fish."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"HE SAID TO THEM, ‘FOLLOW ME, AND I WILL MAKE YOU FISHERS OF MEN.' The world, filled with its empty pursuits, resembles a tumultuous sea; human souls are like fish swimming in this ocean of existence. The net employed by the apostles to capture people is the Holy Gospel. Just as a fisherman uses a net to draw fish from the water, the Apostles, through the proclamation of the Gospel of Christ, extract souls from the sinful distractions of life and from the depths of disbelief, bringing them into the benevolent vessel of Christ, which is the Church of God that guides them to the radiant Kingdom of Heaven. Blessed indeed is the person who becomes embraced by Christ and finds refuge in the ship of the Orthodox Church. The Divine Provider will protect him from falling into the clutches of the ancient serpent, the devil, as long as he remains on the ship of Christ, meaning he should not stray from the Orthodox Church into divisions and false teachings. Yet, did the apostles, as fishermen, truly comprehend what this promise of Christ—making them fishers of men—entailed? Probably not."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The teachings of Jesus by the lakeside drew many people in Galilee, as news of the Messiah's arrival spread throughout the region. Those who approached Him were eager to get closer, captivated by His presence, remaining silent in their awe. On one occasion, while He stood by the lake's edge, the crowd pressed so close that He had to step into a boat to continue instructing them.\\n\\nAfter concluding His message, Jesus instructed Simon to venture into deeper waters and cast his net. Simon, a seasoned fisherman who had toiled all night without success, doubted the likelihood of catching any fish. Nevertheless, he complied with Jesus' command. The unexpected abundance that followed astonished Simon, James, John, and those who assisted them. While those unfamiliar with fishing might have celebrated the catch, the experienced fishermen understood the impossibility of such a success under the given conditions unless a miracle had occurred through Jesus.\\n\\nOverwhelmed, Peter knelt before Jesus, exclaiming, ‘Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man’ (Luke 5:8). This heartfelt declaration revealed Peter's recognition of Jesus' divine authority and holiness, acknowledging his own unworthiness to stand in His presence. At that moment, Peter was unaware that Jesus had come to restore sinners through repentance, and like many of his contemporaries, he believed that the Righteous One should only associate with the upright.\\n\\nIn calling Peter, Andrew, James, and John, Jesus reassured Peter with these words: ‘Do not be afraid. From now on, you will catch men’ (Luke 5:10). Responding to this invitation, Peter, alongside Andrew, James, and John, brought their boats ashore, leaving their nets and the miraculous catch to follow Him.\\n\\nThe accounts recorded by Matthew and Mark about this calling do not include the miraculous catch that preceded it, which creates a discrepancy when compared to Luke's narrative. For instance, Matthew 4:18-22 describes how Jesus encountered Simon and Andrew casting their nets and called them to follow Him, promising to make them fishers of men. Similarly, Mark 1:16-20 recounts Jesus' call to these fishermen while they worked. \\n\\nWhen contrasting these narratives, it is clear that the disciples were called while at the lake, in or near their boats. The difference lies in the sequence of events: Luke notes that Peter and his companions were called after the miraculous catch, while Matthew and Mark suggest it happened while they were actively fishing or mending nets. However, it seems unlikely that Jesus would call the same disciples twice under such similar circumstances.\\n\\nThus, it appears that Matthew and Mark focused only on how Peter, Andrew, James, and John responded to Jesus' call. They might have omitted earlier details that they viewed as less essential. If not for John’s testimony, which details an earlier calling of the same disciples after John's proclamation of Jesus as the Messiah (John 1:35-51), we might have considered their calling in this instance as their first following Him as disciples. \\n\\nBy examining both scenarios, it becomes evident that initially, the disciples did not consistently accompany Jesus, sometimes returning to their prior trades. Yet, following this second call, they devoted themselves to Him as His continual companions and eventually became His selected apostles among the twelve."},{"author-name":"Lopuchin A.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c891400ee1341634d2276d_Lopuchin%20A.P..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"In response, an uplifting message was offered: \\"Do not be afraid; from now on, you will be catching people.\\" The Saviour, as always in His teachings, revealed the deeper significance of the moment. In the boat with them lay many of the lake's vibrant catches, yet they were beginning to fade away—yielding to the inevitable peace of death. From this moment on, this sinner, who had been purified and redeemed, was called to engage in a more noble pursuit: to seek those who, ensnared by the truth of the gospel, would not perish but enjoy everlasting life. Both his brother and his fellow fishermen were also destined to become \\"fishers of men.\\""},{"author-name":"Paul Matwejewski","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8969f5be0d592d5a10576_Paul%20Matwejewski.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The initial act of Christ the Redeemer in Capernaum involved calling Simon, Andrew, and the sons of Zebedee to follow Him. While walking along the lakeshore, the Lord noticed two boats that had been left by fishermen, some of whom were washing their nets while others were repairing them. One of the boats belonged to Simon and his brother Andrew, while the other, situated a bit further away, was owned by Zebedee, who was out fishing with his workers and his sons James and John. The crowds followed the Lord, eager to hear His teachings, prompting Him to board Simon's boat, requesting it to be pushed away from the shore so that He could address the multitudes from there. After His teaching concluded, He instructed Simon, “Go into the deep, and cast your nets for a catch.” To this, Simon replied, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless, at Your word I will let down the net.” The less Simon anticipated success, the more astonishing the miracle became, as the Lord had prepared the fishermen for their calling, indicating that all their previous failures could be readily compensated by His command. Simon complied, and to their surprise, they captured such an abundance of fish that their net began to break. They signalled to their partners in the other boat, who then joined them to help, resulting in both boats becoming so full that they began to sink. The miraculous catch not only filled Simon and his companions with amazement but also with fear. Unlike the previous miracles they had witnessed, this event struck them deeply since they were personally involved. Overcome with emotion, Simon fell at Jesus' knees, exclaiming, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” In response to Simon's heartfelt plea, the All-Knowing One gave words of reassurance and a divine calling to a significant mission: “Do not be afraid; from now on you will catch men.” He then invited Simon's associates, saying, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” The fishermen responded to this calling with immediate determination and unwavering commitment, leaving everything behind without hesitation. They pulled both boats to land and followed the Lord Jesus, with James and John even leaving their father Zebedee."},{"author-name":"Philaret of Moscow (Drosdow)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c896ffb7a2ebaf99e46539_Philaret%20of%20Moscow%20(Drosdow).png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":19,"exegesis-text":"And she told Ima, “Come after me, and I will transform you into fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). In Bethlehem, we recognize the birthplace of Christ, yet the origins of Christianity appear to be found by the shores of the Sea of Galilee. After spending time in Bethlehem and Egypt, the Son of Mary lived in obscurity from His infancy until He became a virtuous husband in lowly Nazareth. Aside from Mary, Joseph, Simeon, and perhaps a few other souls, no one was aware that this Jesus was the Anointed One foretold by the prophets, that this purported son of Joseph was indeed the true begotten Son of God. On the day when Jesus was baptized in the Jordan, John identified Him as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29), which translates, without allegory, to Christ, the Savior of mankind. Furthermore, the voice of God the Father from heaven declared Him as His beloved Son to all. Following this, Andrew, Peter, Philip, and Nathanael discovered and acknowledged in Jesus Christ the Son of God; they followed Him and witnessed the beginnings of His miracles in Cana of Galilee, believing in Him. However, they seemed to grasp little of the unfolding events and returned to their ancestral trade of fishing. This is the essence of the human condition: souls strive to ascend from the physical to the spiritual, equivalent to how a fish may leap from water to air, yet like a fish in water, we quickly descend back into the realm of sensuality. Only through Christ’s grace can one be truly elevated, transformed, revived, and guided in a lasting spiritual manner.\\n\\nThere, He walked along the shores of the Sea of Galilee, discovering Peter, Andrew, James, and John preoccupied with their nets. He extended to them His powerful and prophetic call: \\"Follow Me; I will make you fishers of men.\\" The effectiveness of His call was immediate; they abandoned everything, and two of them even left their father, committing themselves to Jesus Christ and the mission He entrusted to them. Thus, Christ’s intention to draw men to Himself and to gather them, eventually leading to the establishment of ‘the Church’ (Matthew 16:18), was made manifest. Not only was the intention unveiled, but the very work commenced, as He Himself gathered the first four noble fishers of men. It is fitting to say that the fishing boat became the cradle of Christianity, and the fishing nets served as its midwife.\\n\\nIf I were surrounded by those whom God-chosen fishers of men have entrusted with the continuation of their mission, I would point to Peter, Andrew, James, and John as perfect examples of willingness to heed God’s call, devoid of selfishness and self-interest. Should you, through the Gospel, reflection, or conscience, perceive a voice calling you to God’s work, to faith, virtue, prayer, to discipline the flesh and deny triviality, and should this voice resonate within your heart: recognize that Christ is silently passing by, gazing at you, and calling you. The quicker and more decisively you respond to His call, the greater favor you will find with Him and the more entitled you will be to His assistance. Conversely, if you remain inattentive and slow, you distance yourself from the Caller and the hope of His return.\\n\\nIt is permissible to engage in earthly activities and meet earthly needs; there is a divine command that “in the sweat of thy face thou shalt bring forth thy bread” (Genesis 3:19). However, ensure that while tending to earthly matters, you do not neglect the heavenly work, the eternal salvation of your soul, getting entangled in earthly gain, sensual indulgence, or human glory. Even if your earthly father disregards truth and righteousness, prioritize the will of your Heavenly Father. Your earthly father cannot lead you to heaven if he diverts you from the path of your Heavenly Father. Conversely, your Heavenly Father, through your self-denial and obedience to His will, not only guides you to heaven but also can lead those opposed by your earthly father to salvation through your faith.\\n\\nLet us return to Christ’s word about fishers of men. He appointed Peter and the others as fishers of men by observing their fishing. Some may question this parable: “What does it mean?” (Luke 1:33) What sea are we submerged in as fish? Why must we be caught? Wouldn’t we prefer to swim freely in the sea rather than be trapped? Resolving these questions might prove beneficial, for we should not flee from Christ’s net nor should those already caught attempt to escape it. Like a fish in water, the human spirit, because of original sin, is submerged in flesh, sensuality, and worldly desires, which have been marred by Adam’s fall, “lies in wickedness” and is tossed about “by the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (1 John 5:19-2:16). This leads to sorrowful waters reaching the human soul; pleasures, passions, and vanity entice, and one becomes lost, lacking peace, purpose, and self-understanding. Even more dire, lurking in the depths of life’s sea is the serpent of the abyss, always eager to consume man, like a large fish preying on the small.\\n\\nThis context sheds light on why Christ seeks to catch men in life’s sea. He further clarifies this through a similar parable: “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was cast into the sea and gathered of every kind” (Matthew 13:47). Notice that He captures men to draw them into the kingdom of heaven. He envelops them with the truth and life-giving commandments, gathers and protects them, and by the grace of the cross, draws them—just as one moves from water to air— from a carnal existence to a spiritual life, from sin to holiness, from turmoil to serenity, from the transient to the eternal, from the earthly to the divine, from this world to the blessed kingdom of God.\\n\\nCan we then not declare: blessed is the one who is enraptured by Christ’s allure and willingly follows? Conversely, who can truly lament that the gospel net seems restrictive? Let’s acknowledge that Christ Himself not only acknowledged this but proclaimed that “narrow is the gate and narrow is the way that leadeth unto life” (Matthew 7:13). Consider, you who lament the constricted path of Christ, will you find it more spacious if, evading this river of the Gospel, you immersed yourself for a few days in the vast sea of life, only to succumb to the jaws of the abyss for all eternity? Reflect on how Christ’s narrow way leads you to the boundless expanse of paradise and heaven, before which this world, seducing you with its vastness, is lesser and worse than a sea filled with fish. Recall, the world has its nets too, which entrap, crowd, and destroy you; though it may at times appear spacious for the flesh, it is far more confining for the spirit.\\n\\nIn contrast, while the Gospel lifetime may seem constricted for the flesh, it offers expansive horizons for the spirit, as its commandments guide and tame the flesh without hindering the spirit’s ascent from the depths of sensuality to the heights of heaven.\\n\\n“Blessed art thou, O Christ our God, who hast revealed the wise fishers, having sent down to them the Holy Spirit, and by them hast thou caught the universe!” This tribute of Pentecost speaks to our blessedness in Christ, especially honoring the fisherman Andrew the First-Called, who established the cross on the Dnieper’s mountains as a sign that afterwards, by it, Equal-to-the-Apostles Vladimir and his people would be caught. We also honor the memory of Equal Apostle Vladimir, who first drew the people of Kiev and later all Russians to Christ, leaving a legacy for our Pious Sovereigns to continue the noble mission of spiritual fishers, instilling Christian piety as the foremost good of their people.\\n\\nMay the divine favor of our reigning Autocrat Nicholas Pavlovich be blessed by God’s grace, as he labors to spread the reign of Christ within his kingdom and leads many souls to Him through well-structured ministries. He also engages beyond our homeland, restoring divine order among rebellious nations, working with vigor and strength.\\n\\nLet all witness these blessed footsteps. Whoever is called to continue the labor of spiritual fishers must passionately lead souls to Christ through the truth, and let those who cannot be drawn by His words be captivated by righteous deeds and prayer. Everyone, without exception, should strive to embrace the esteemed calling of being a fisher of Christ. May we willingly constrain our actions, desires, thoughts, and aspirations within the boundaries of Gospel commandments. May we follow the gracious pull of faith and love, so when the “net” of Christ is “filled” with the chosen for salvation and “drawn out at the end of time,” we may be counted among the “good” catch and gathered “into the vessels” (Matthew 13:48) of heaven, immersed in the sea of light and eternal joy. Amen."}]}
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