Matthew 4:21

Verse

Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. Jesus called them,

American Standard Version (1901)

And going on from thence he saw two other brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.

Bible in Basic English

And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and John, his brother, in the boat with their father, stitching up their nets; and he said, Come.

Douay-Rheims 1899

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.

Free Bible Version

Continuing on he saw two other brothers, James and John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them to follow him.

Geneva Bible 1599

And when he was gone forth from thence, he saw other two brethren, Iames the sonne of Zebedeus, and Iohn his brother in a ship with Zebedeus their father, mending their nets, and he called them.

King James (Authorized) Version

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.

One Unity Resource Bible

Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee [Surplanter son of Yah Has Bestowed], and John [Yah is gracious] his brother, in the boat with Zebedee [Bestowed by Yah] their father, mending their nets. He called them.

Translation for Translators

As the three of them walked on from there, Jesus saw two other men, James, and John, the younger brother of James. They were in their boat with Zebedee, their father, mending their fishing nets. Jesus told them that they should leave their work and go with him.

Unlocked Literal Bible

As Jesus was going on from there he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee, and John his brother. They were in the boat with Zebedee their father mending their nets. He called them,

Noah Webster Bible

And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets: and he called them.

World English Bible

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.

Young's Literal Translation

And having advanced thence, he saw other two brothers, James of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, refitting their nets, and he called them,

Context

The First Disciples

²⁰And at once they left their nets and followed Him.²¹Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. Jesus called them,²²and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed Him.

Sermons

The Sermon on the Mount - Part 1

St. Augustine

Summary

In this verse, we see the account of Jesus calling two brothers, James and John, who were in a boat with their father Zebedee, to follow Him. The immediacy of their response, leaving their livelihood and family to follow Jesus, demonstrates their faith and willingness to prioritize Him above all else. This passage highlights the radical nature of discipleship, requiring a complete surrender and commitment to Jesus as Lord. It serves as a reminder for believers to be willing to leave behind worldly attachments and follow Christ wholeheartedly.

Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship--rather, "in the ship," their fishing boat. with Zebedee their father, mending their nets: and he called them.

John Gill Bible Commentary

And there followed him great multitudes of people,.... Some on one account, and some on another; some out of good will, others out of ill will; some for the healing of their bodies, others for the good of their souls; some to see his miracles, others to hear his doctrine; and what with one and another, the concourse of people that followed him was greater than that which followed John. The Greek word for "multitude" is adopted into the Talmudic language, and is often used by the doctors; who have a tradition to this purpose, that , "there is no multitude less than sixty myriads" (o); but we are not to imagine, that when here, and elsewhere, a multitude is said to follow, or attend on Christ, that he had such a number of people after him as this; only that the number was very large. The places from whence they came are particularly mentioned, as "from Galilee"; where he had called his disciples, had been preaching the Gospel, and healing all manner of diseases; and therefore it is not to be wondered at that he should have a large number of followers from hence. This country was divided into (p) three parts: "There was upper Galilee, and nether Galilee, and the valley from Capharhananiah and upwards: all that part which did not bring forth sycamine trees was upper Galilee, and from Capharhananiah downwards: all that part which did bring forth sycamine trees was nether Galilee; and the coast of Tiberias was the valley.'' Frequent mention is made in the Talmudic (q) writings of upper Galilee, as distinct from the other. And from Decapolis; a tract of land so called, from the "ten cities" that were in it; and which, according to Pliny (r) were these following; Damascus, Opoton, Philadelphia, Raphana, Scythopolis, Gadara, Hippondion, Pella, Galasa, and Canatha; see Mar 5:20 "And from Jerusalem"; the metropolis of the whole land; for his fame had reached that great city, and there were some there, curious and desirous to see him, and hear him; though he was got into those distant and obscure parts. And from Judea; from the other parts of it: and from beyond Jordan; which was a distinct country of itself, known by the name of Peraea; so called, perhaps, from the word here translated, "from beyond". It is to be observed, that here are three countries distinctly mentioned, Galilee, Judea, and "beyond Jordan"; which was the division of the land of Israel; of these three lands the Talmudists often speak. "It is a tradition of the Rabbins (s), that in three countries they intercalate the year; Judea, and beyond Jordan, and Galilee.'' Again (t), "There are three lands, that are obliged to the removing of fruits; Judea, and beyond Jordan, and Galilee.'' Once more (u), "There are three countries for celebration of marriages, Judea, and "beyond Jordan", and Galilee.'' The account which (w) Maimonides gives of these three countries is this; "The land of Judea, all of it, the mountain, the plain, and the valley, are one country beyond Jordan, all of it, the plain of Lydda, and the mountain of the plain of Lydda, and from Betheron to the sea, are one country: Galilee, all of it, the upper and nether, and the coast of Tiberias, are one country.'' The country beyond Jordan was not so much esteemed as what was properly the land of Canaan, or Israel; for the Jews (x) say, "the land of Israel is holier than all lands; because they bring out of it the sheaf, the first fruits, and the showbread, which they do not bring from other lands: the land of Canaan is holier than beyond Jordan; the land of Canaan is fit to be the habitation of the Shekinah; beyond Jordan is not.'' This, they say (y), was not the land flowing with milk and honey. (o) T. Bab. Beracot, fol. 58. 1. (p) Misn, Sheviith. c. 9. sect. 2. (q) T. Bab. Bava Kama, fol. 80. 1. Cetubot, fol. 67. 2. & Succa, fol. 27. 2. & 28. 1. Zohar in Gen. fol. 129. 3. (r) Nat. Hist. l. 5. c. 18. (s) T. Bab. Sanhedrim, fol. 11. 2. (t) Misn. Sheviith. c. 9. sect. 2. (u) Misn. Cetubot, c. 13. sect. 10. (w) Hilch. Shemittah, c. 7. sect. 9. (x) Bemidbar Rabba, sect. 7. fol. 188. 3. Maimon. Beth Habechira, c. 7. sect. 12. (y) Misn. Biccurim, c. 1. sect. 10. Next: Matthew Chapter 5