What does Matthew 4:21 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 4:21 describes a moment in the early ministry of Jesus Christ when He calls James and John, the sons of Zebedee, to follow Him.

In this verse, the two brothers are with their father in a boat, repairing their fishing nets. Jesus approaches them, and, as with the calling of Peter and Andrew earlier in Matthew 4, He summons James and John to discipleship, and they are expected to leave their current lives behind.

The literal meaning is straightforward: it's an account of Jesus recruiting His disciples.

On a deeper level, the verse showcases the immediacy and compelling nature of Jesus' call to follow Him.

It also emphasizes the theme of discipleship that requires leaving behind one's previous way of life to embrace a new calling.

Historical Context

Matthew 4:21 takes place in the early days of Jesus' ministry, likely in the region of Galilee.

Fishing was a common trade in this area due to its proximity to the Sea of Galilee.

Families like that of Zebedee would often run a fishing business together.

The calling of James and John represents Jesus' appeal to everyday individuals, engaging with ordinary lives and professions.

In this period, it was common for Jewish rabbis to gather disciples who would follow them and learn from their teachings.

However, Jesus reverses the traditional process by actively seeking out His disciples rather than waiting for them to come to Him.

Theological Insights

Different theological perspectives view this calling of the disciples in unique ways. For example:

• Traditional Christian theology sees it as the divine call to vocation, where Jesus calls individuals to serve in His divine plan.
• Liberation theology may interpret this as Jesus calling individuals away from a life rooted in socio-economic systems and towards a community of equality and support.
• Evangelical theology often uses this passage as a model for the personal nature of Jesus' call to each individual believer and an example of obedience to God's will.

Practical Applications

Matthew 4:21 can be applied to the lives of believers in several ways:

• Encouragement to be responsive to the call of Christ in one's life, even if it means leaving behind comfort zones.
• Emphasizing the importance of communal work and service to God's mission.
• Serving as a reminder that all vocations, not just religious ones, can be lived out as a response to Jesus' call.

Cross-References

• Matthew 4:18-20: The calling of the first disciples, Peter and Andrew.
• Mark 1:19-20: Mark’s account of the calling of James and John.
• Luke 5:10-11: Luke's narrative of the calling of the first disciples, including the partners James and John.
• Matthew 9:9: The calling of Matthew, demonstrating Jesus' call to a diversity of people.
• Matthew 19:27: Peter speaking about leaving everything to follow Jesus.

Language Study

The key words in the original Greek text for Matthew 4:21 include:

• "Brethren" (Greek: ἀδελφοί, adelphoi) means brothers, highlighting the familial ties of James and John.
• "Ship" or "Boat" (Greek: πλοῖον, ploion) is a common fishing vessel.
• "Mending" (Greek: καταρτίζοντας, katartizontas) implies repairing, preparing, or making complete, which can symbolize the restoration that Jesus brings.
• "Nets" (Greek: δίκτυα, diktya) refer to the fishing nets, a tool of their trade and livelihood.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The calling of disciples has parallels in other religious traditions:

• In Buddhism, Siddhartha Gautama calls followers to leave their homes and join him in the monastic life.
• In Hinduism, there is the concept of a guru attracting disciples (shishyas) to follow and learn from their teachings.

Scientific Perspectives

The scientific perspectives on this verse are limited as it does not directly deal with scientific content.

However, the discussion of fishing methods and equipment used in the period could intersect with archaeological and anthropological studies of ancient societies around the Sea of Galilee.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians offer various interpretations of Matthew 4:21:

• William Barclay suggests the readiness of James and John to leave their father signifies the absolute obedience and immediate response to Jesus’ call.
• John Calvin focuses on the sacrifice involved in the disciples' willingness to give up their family ties and income sources for the sake of the Gospel.
• D.A.

Carson and other contemporary evangelical scholars often stress the divine authority of Jesus that is embedded in the simplicity of His call and the willingness of the disciples to follow it.