Matthew 4:18-20

Matthew 4:18-20

[18] And  walking  by  the sea  of Galilee,  two  brethren,  Simon  called  Peter,  and  Andrew  his  brother,  casting  a net  into  the sea:  for  fishers.  [19] And  he saith  unto them,  Follow  and  I will make  fishers  of men.  [20] And  they straightway  left  their nets,  and followed  him. 

What does Matthew 4:18-20 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

The Hebrews referred to lakes as "seas." The Sea of Galilee got its name from its district. [1] Its other name, the Sea of "Gennesaret," came from the plain to the northwest of the lake ( Luke 5:1) and from a town on that plain: Gennesaret. The name "Gennesaret" connects to the Hebrew work kinnor, meaning "harp." In the Old Testament this body of water was called the Sea of Chinnereth because of its harp-like shape. [2] Sometimes people referred to the lake as the Sea of Tiberias. Tiberias was the Hellenistic city that Herod built on its west-southwest shore. This sea was approximately12miles long and9 miles wide at its longest and broadest points. It supported a thriving fishing industry in Jesus" day with nine towns on its western shore plus others elsewhere. Simon and Andrew had moved from their hometown of Bethsaida (lit. "Fishtown," John 1:44) to Capernaum ( Mark 1:21; Mark 1:29).
Simon"s nickname was Peter ("Rocky"). "Simon" was one of the most common names in first-century Palestine. [3] The net (Gr. amphibleston, used only here in the New Testament) that Simon and Andrew were casting into the lake was a circular one. It was a common tool of Galilean fishermen. Fishing was a major industry in Galilee.
Jesus" command (not invitation), "Follow me" ( Matthew 4:19) was a summons to leave their occupations and literally follow Jesus wherever He would take them as His trainees (cf. 1 Kings 19:19-21).
"The expression "Follow Me" would be readily understood, as implying a call to become the permanent disciple of a teacher. (Talmudic tractate Erubhin 30 a) Similarly, it was not only the practice of the Rabbis, but regarded as one of the most sacred duties, for a Master to gather around him a circle of disciples. (Talmudic tractates Pirqey Abhoth 11; and Sanhedrin 91 b) Thus, neither Peter and Andrew, nor the sons of Zebedee, could have misunderstood the call of Christ, or even regarded it as strange." [4]
Etiquette required a rabbi"s disciples to walk behind him. [5] The phrase "fishers of men" recalls Jeremiah 16:16. There Yahweh sent "fishermen" to gather Israelites for the Exile. Here Jesus called fishermen to announce the end of Israel"s spiritual exile (cf. Matthew 1:11-12; Matthew 2:17-18) and to prepare for His messianic reign. Later, after experiencing rejection by Israel, Jesus Revelation -commissioned these men for duty in the inter-advent age ( Matthew 28:18-20; John 21:15-23).
Evidently Jesus had called Simon, Andrew, Philippians , and Nathanael earlier ( John 1:35-51). Probably they returned to Galilee and resumed their former work. [6] This would partially explain their quick response to Jesus here ( Matthew 4:20). Furthermore, Jesus had changed water into wine in Cana, which was not far away ( John 2:1-11). If the miracle of Luke 5:1-11 occurred the night before this calling, we have another reason they followed Jesus "immediately." Matthew"s interest was not in why these men responded as they did but how authoritatively Jesus called them and how they responded. They recognized Jesus" authority and left all to follow Him.
Disciples of other rabbis normally continued their trades, but Jesus wanted His disciples to be with Him fulltime ( Luke 9:61). Also, in contrast to the rabbinic model, Jesus chose His disciples; typically the disciple chose the rabbi he would follow. Furthermore, Jesus called His disciples to follow Him, not to follow the Law or teaching in abstraction.