Matthew 4:18-25 - Opening Works Of Mercy And Power
We must read the first chapter of John into the opening paragraph. Already the Lord had met with these first disciples in the Jordan valley; but they had returned to their homes and nets. Their prompt surrender was the result of the power over their hearts which the Master had already won. Their old craft was to be theirs still-only in a nobler form. The patience, courage, tact which had been elicited by their calling, were now to be enlisted in the service of souls.
The evangelist then groups together the broad features of the early Galilean ministry. It was a triumphal progress. Notice the reiteration of all, Matthew 4:23. The words struggle to convey the wide comprehensiveness of Christ's influence, even across the border. When the love of God came to our world in the person of Jesus, it immediately began to repair the havoc and damage which sin had caused. There was no hesitation or questioning where it was God's will to heal. Let us always take that for granted for ourselves and others. [source]
Chapter Summary: Matthew 4
1Jesus, fasting forty days, 3is tempted by the devil and ministered unto by angels 12He dwells in Capernaum; 17begins to preach; 18calls Peter and Andrew, 21James and John; 23teaches and heals all the diseased
What do the individual words in Matthew 4:20 mean?