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Explanation for:
Matthew
4
:
21
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.
7
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Observe the specifics of their destitution: Jesus encountered them repairing their fishing nets. Their financial circumstances were so dire that they could not purchase new equipment and instead were mending their worn nets. Nevertheless, it speaks volumes of their character that they accepted their poverty with grace, sustained themselves through honest labor, were united by bonds of affection, and lived in service to their father. Once Christ had laid hold of them, He began to perform miracles in their midst, validating what John had proclaimed about Him through tangible acts. He started to visit the synagogues, instructing His followers that He was neither an enemy of God nor a fraud, but had arrived in accordance with the Father's purpose. During these synagogue visits, He not only preached but also manifested miraculous works."},{"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":"Oh, how blessed are those fishermen whom the Lord selected among the countless lawyers, scribes, and wise individuals of this world, to carry out the divine mission of preaching and to bestow upon them the grace of apostleship! This choice reflects the goodness of our Lord and aligns perfectly with His message, as it allows the marvelous nature of such glory to be proclaimed, much like the insignificant realms and fleeting ages have shared it. They witnessed the world not through worldly wisdom but through the straightforward proclamation of faith, liberating humanity from the error of death, as stated by the apostle: \\"That your faith should not be established on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God\\" (1 Cor. 2:5). Furthermore, he explains: \\"God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, God chose the weak things of the world to shame the things that are strong, and God chose the things that are ignorant of the world, and the things that are base and worthless, to abolish the things that are worthwhile\\" (1 Cor. 1:27-28). Thus, He does not select the noble or the affluent, so that the preaching does not seem suspect; nor does He choose the knowledgeable of this age to avoid the impression that He swayed humanity by the wisdom of this world. Instead, He chooses fishermen—those who are uneducated, simple, and overlooked—to reveal the grace of the Saviour."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"Caring for one’s father in his later years is a noble act, especially when done through diligent work. They were in poverty and, as a result, were unable to purchase new nets, so they resorted to repairing the old ones."},{"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":"As He continued His journey, He came across two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John, in a boat with their father Zebedee, repairing their nets. Lacking the means to purchase new nets, they diligently mended their old, torn ones. Despite their modest circumstances, James and John thrived on the fruits of their honest labor, and their bond as brothers grew stronger as they honored their father by serving him with love. Their mother, the devout Salomia, later joined other virtuous women in following the Lord and assisting Him in every possible way. \\n\\nThen, the Lord Jesus summoned them with His authoritative call, \\"Follow Me.\\" Unlike the assurances He had given to Simon and Andrew, He offered them no such promises; yet, inspired by the example set by their fishing peers, they followed the Lord without hesitation or doubt. They understood that they had to relinquish something far more significant than their fishing nets: they had to leave their father behind. However, even the strong ties of familial love could not withstand the compelling authority of Jesus’ call."},{"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 Sermon by the Lake \\nNews of the Messiah's arrival spread rapidly throughout Galilee, attracting numerous individuals eager to hear Him speak. Those who approached desired only to draw closer, captivated by His presence and silent in awe. One day, as He stood beside the lakeshore, the crowd pressed so closely that they compelled Him to enter a boat and continue teaching from there. \\n\\nThe Miraculous Catch of Fish \\nAfter concluding His lesson, Jesus instructed Simon to venture into deeper waters and cast his net for fish. The seasoned fisherman, having worked through the night without a catch, doubted that another attempt would yield any results; nevertheless, he obeyed the Lord's command. Peter, along with James, John, and their fellow fishermen, was astounded by the miraculous abundance of fish. While those unfamiliar with fishing might have reveled in such a bountiful catch, the experienced ones realized that fishing under those conditions would not result in success unless it were a divine act performed by Jesus. Humble and reverent, Peter fell at the feet of Jesus, declaring, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man” (Luke 5:8). With this heartfelt admission, Peter acknowledged the greatness and holiness of Almighty Jesus, recognizing his own unworthiness for companionship with Him. At that moment, Peter was unaware that Jesus had come to sinners to call them to repentance; like other Jews, he believed the Righteous One should associate only with the righteous. \\n\\nCalling of Peter, Andrew, James, and John \\nIn calling Peter, Jesus reassured him, saying, “Do not be afraid. From now on, you will catch men” (Luke 5:10). At this invitation, Peter, along with Andrew, James, and John, brought their boats to land, leaving their nets and the fish behind to follow Jesus. The accounts provided by the Evangelists Matthew and Mark regarding this calling do not mention the miraculous catch prior to it, thus leading to apparent inconsistencies with Luke’s narrative. For comparison, Matthew notes: “...He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother... and said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men’” (Matthew 4:18-20). Mark similarly writes: “...He saw Simon and Andrew... and said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men’” (Mark 1:16-18). \\n\\nWhen examining the accounts of Matthew and Mark alongside Luke’s, it becomes evident that the disciples were called at the lake’s shore while engaged in their fishing activities. The only difference lies in the fact that Luke suggests Peter and his companions were called after the miraculous catch, whereas Matthew and Mark imply the call happened while they were still casting their nets. It is implausible that Matthew and Mark refer to a distinct event; therefore, the apparent inconsistency may arise from their intention to focus solely on how Peter, Andrew, James, and John left everything behind to follow Jesus, omitting previous details they deemed less critical. \\n\\nThe disciples’ calling, as recounted by all three Evangelists, is viewed as the definitive moment when Peter, Andrew, James, and John became followers of Jesus. However, the Gospel of John provides earlier details about the calling of Andrew, Peter, John, James, Philip, and Nathanael, which occurred after John the Baptist’s profound testimony of Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God (John 1:35-51). By comparing these two calls and considering the circumstances surrounding the second call, we can infer that after the initial invitation, the disciples did not consistently accompany Jesus during His travels; at times, they returned to their former livelihoods. Yet, following the second call, they remained His steadfast companions and eventually emerged as the chosen 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, there came the reassuring words, \\"Fear not; from now on you will be fishers of men.\\" The Savior, consistent with His teachings, revealed the deeper significance of the situation. Nearby, amidst the boat, lay bountiful catches from the lake, yet those catches were beginning to fade away—foreshadowing the eternal rest of death. From this moment, the sinful man, though washed and purified, redeemed and sanctified, was called to engage in a more noble pursuit: to seek those who, ensnared by the net of the gospel, would not perish but have everlasting life. His brother, along with his fellow fishermen, was also to join in becoming \\"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":"In Capernaum, the initial action of Christ the Savior was to invite Simon, Andrew, and the sons of Zebedee to become His disciples. As He walked along the lakeside, He noticed two boats that belonged to fishermen who had stepped out, some cleaning their nets while others mended them. One boat was owned by Simon and Andrew, while the other, situated slightly farther away, belonged to Zebedee, who was fishing with his workers and his sons, James and John. The crowds followed Jesus, eager to hear His teachings. He climbed into Simon's boat, requested it to be pushed away from the shore, and from there, He addressed the multitude. After finishing His discourse, He instructed Simon, \\"Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.\\" 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 a successful catch, the more astonishing the miracle became as Jesus prepared the fishermen for their future as apostles, showing them that their previous losses could easily be redeemed by His command. Upon following His instruction, they surprisingly caught a massive number of fish, causing their nets to begin breaking. They signaled their partners in the other boat, who came to assist and filled both vessels to the point of sinking. This remarkable catch left Simon and his companions not just in astonishment, but in dread. Other miraculous signs they had witnessed did not affect them as deeply as this one, which they had experienced firsthand. Overcome with emotion, Simon fell to his knees before Jesus, saying, \\"Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.\\" In response to his heartfelt plea, the All-Knowing One spoke words of reassurance and commissioning for a great purpose: \\"Do not be afraid; from now on you will catch men.\\" He also called to Simon's partners, inviting them, \\"Come, follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.\\" The fishermen promptly responded, as noted by St. Philaret of Moscow, with swift resolve, complete readiness, and steadfast commitment, without hesitation. They brought both boats ashore, leaving everything behind to follow the Lord Jesus, with James and John even parting ways with their father Zebedee."}]}
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