Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version 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, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, New Living Translation A little farther up the shore he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them to come, too. English Standard Version And 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, and he called them. Berean Standard Bible 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, Berean Literal Bible And having gone on from there, He saw two others, brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets; and He called them. King James Bible 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. New King James Version 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, New American Standard Bible Going on from there He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets; and He called them. NASB 1995 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; and He called them. NASB 1977 And 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; and He called them. Legacy Standard Bible And 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; and He called them. Amplified Bible And going on [further] from there He noticed two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets; and He called them [to follow Him as His disciples]. Berean Annotated Bible Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James (supplanter / follower) son of Zebedee (YHWH has given) and his brother John (YHWH is gracious). They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. Jesus called them, Christian Standard Bible Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat with Zebedee their father, preparing their nets, and he called them. Holman Christian Standard Bible Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and He called them. American Standard Version 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. Contemporary English Version Jesus walked on until he saw James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They were in a boat with their father, mending their nets. Jesus asked them to come with him. English Revised Version And going on from thence he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. GOD'S WORD® Translation As Jesus went on, he saw two other brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee preparing their nets to go fishing. He called them, Good News Translation He went on and saw two other brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They were in their boat with their father Zebedee, getting their nets ready. Jesus called them, International Standard Version 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 repairing their nets. When he called them, NET Bible Going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in a boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. Then he called them. New Heart 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, and he called them. Webster's Bible Translation 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. Weymouth New Testament He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zabdi and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zabdi mending their nets; and He called them. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleGoing 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, 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. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd having advanced from there, He saw two other brothers, James of Zebedee, and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, refitting their nets, and He called them, Berean Literal Bible And having gone on from there, He saw two others, brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets; and 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, Smith's Literal Translation And having proceeded thence, he saw other two brethren, James him of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the ship with Zebedee their father, adjusting their nets; and he called them. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd 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. Catholic Public Domain Version And continuing on from there, he saw another two brothers, James of Zebedee, and his brother John, in a ship with their father Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them. New American Bible He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, New Revised Standard Version As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd when he left that place he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and his brother John, in a ship with Zebedee their father, repairing their nets; and Jesus called them. Aramaic Bible in Plain English And when he passed from there, he saw two other brothers: Yaqob Bar Zebedee and Yohannan his brother, in a boat with Zebedee their father, who were setting their nets in order, and he called them. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentAnd going on thence, he saw other two brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. Godbey New Testament And going forth from thence, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and He called them. Haweis New Testament And going on from thence, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. Mace New Testament Going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were in a bark with Zebedee their father, mending their nets: and Jesus having called them, Weymouth New Testament He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zabdi and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zabdi mending their nets; and He called them. Worrell New Testament And, having gone on thence, He saw other two brothers: James a son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and He called them; Worsley New Testament And going on from thence He saw two other brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The First Disciples…20And at once they left their nets and followed Him. 21 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, 22and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed Him.… Cross References Going on from there, Matthew 9:9 As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax booth. “Follow Me,” He told him, and Matthew got up and followed Him. Mark 2:14 As He was walking along, He saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth. “Follow Me,” He told him, and Levi got up and followed Him. Luke 5:27 After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the tax booth. “Follow Me,” He told him, He saw two other brothers, Mark 1:19 Going on a little farther, He saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat, mending their nets. Luke 5:10 and so were his partners James and John, the sons of Zebedee. “Do not be afraid,” Jesus said to Simon. “From now on you will catch men.” John 21:2 Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. James son of Zebedee and his brother John. Mark 3:17 James son of Zebedee and his brother John (whom He named Boanerges, meaning “Sons of Thunder”), Luke 6:14 Simon, whom He named Peter, and his brother Andrew; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew; Acts 12:2 He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, Mark 1:20 Immediately Jesus called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed Him. Mark 10:35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and declared, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.” Matthew 20:20-21 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and knelt down to make a request of Him. / “What do you want?” He inquired. She answered, “Declare that in Your kingdom one of these two sons of mine may sit at Your right hand, and the other at Your left.” mending their nets. Luke 5:2-3 He saw two boats at the edge of the lake. The fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. / Jesus got into the boat belonging to Simon and asked him to put out a little from shore. And sitting down, He taught the people from the boat. John 21:11 So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many, the net was not torn. Matthew 13:47 Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was cast into the sea and caught all kinds of fish. Jesus called them, Mark 3:13 Then Jesus went up on the mountain and called for those He wanted, and they came to Him. Treasury of Scripture And going on from there, he saw other two brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. other. Matthew 10:2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Matthew 17:1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, Matthew 20:20,21 Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him… Jump to Previous Advanced Boat James Jesus John Mending Nets Preparing Ship Stitching Thence Zabdi Zebedee Zeb'edeeJump to Next Advanced Boat James Jesus John Mending Nets Preparing Ship Stitching Thence Zabdi Zebedee Zeb'edeeMatthew 4 1. Jesus, fasting forty days, 3. is tempted by the devil and ministered unto by angels. 12. He dwells in Capernaum; 17. begins to preach; 18. calls Peter and Andrew, 21. James and John; 23. teaches and heals all the diseased. Going on from there This phrase indicates that Jesus was continuing His journey along the Sea of Galilee. This area was a hub of activity and commerce, with fishing being a primary industry. Jesus had just called Peter and Andrew, and His movement along the shore suggests a purposeful search for His disciples. The Sea of Galilee is significant in Jesus' ministry, serving as the backdrop for many of His teachings and miracles. 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 Persons / Places / Events 1. JesusThe central figure of the New Testament, the Son of God, who calls His disciples to follow Him. 2. James, son of Zebedee One of the twelve apostles, brother of John, known for his zeal and later martyrdom. 3. John, brother of James Another of the twelve apostles, known for his close relationship with Jesus and his contributions to the New Testament. 4. Zebedee The father of James and John, a fisherman by trade, representing the familial and occupational context of the disciples. 5. The Boat Represents the setting of their occupation and the place from which they are called to a new mission. Teaching Points The Call to FollowJesus' call is personal and direct. He knows us by name and invites us into a relationship with Him. Leaving the Familiar Following Jesus often requires leaving behind what is familiar and comfortable, as James and John left their nets and family. Immediate Obedience The response of James and John was immediate. True discipleship involves a willingness to respond promptly to Jesus' call. Family and Faith While family is important, our ultimate allegiance is to Christ. This passage challenges us to prioritize our spiritual calling. The Cost of Discipleship The journey of following Jesus may lead to sacrifice and suffering, as seen in the lives of James and John. We are called to count the cost and remain faithful. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Matthew 4:21?2. How does Matthew 4:21 illustrate the importance of immediate obedience to Jesus' call? 3. What can we learn from James and John's response to Jesus in Matthew 4:21? 4. How does leaving their father relate to prioritizing Christ in Matthew 4:21? 5. How does Matthew 4:21 connect with the concept of discipleship in Luke 14:26? 6. How can we apply the urgency of following Jesus from Matthew 4:21 today? 7. What does Matthew 4:21 reveal about Jesus' choice of disciples? 8. How does Matthew 4:21 illustrate the concept of divine calling? 9. Why were James and John chosen while mending nets in Matthew 4:21? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Matthew 4? 11. What were the causes of the apostles' deaths? 12. What key events defined the Apostle John's life? 13. Who was Zebedee in the Bible? 14. Do biblical figures have last names? What Does Matthew 4:21 Mean Going on from there“Going on from there” (Matthew 4:21) shows Jesus pressing forward with purpose. Moments earlier, He had just called Peter and Andrew (Matthew 4:18-20); now He keeps moving. • Jesus does not pause to admire early success; He is intent on gathering every disciple the Father has appointed (John 17:6). • His deliberate progression reminds us to keep following Him step by step, trusting that each new place on the path matters (Proverbs 3:5-6). • The phrase also hints at the unfolding nature of His mission—Galilee first, then Judea, then the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). He saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John Jesus “saw” them before they ever noticed Him. • Scripture often highlights God’s initiating gaze—Hagar (“You are the God who sees me,” Genesis 16:13), Nathanael (“I saw you under the fig tree,” John 1:48). • “Two other brothers” links these men to Peter and Andrew, stressing that discipleship is a family matter but also a widening circle (Psalm 133:1). • James and John will later be called “sons of thunder” (Mark 3:17), yet Jesus sees beyond their temperament to their destiny—one will be the first apostolic martyr (Acts 12:1-2), the other the beloved eyewitness who pens the Gospel of John, three epistles, and Revelation. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets Daily life frames the scene. • Ordinary work—“mending” torn nets—is honorable and necessary (Colossians 3:23-24). • The presence of their father underscores natural responsibilities. Leaving will cost something (Luke 14:26-27), yet true obedience never dishonors parents; it places God first and trusts Him with family ties (Ephesians 6:1-2). • Mending nets suggests restoration. Jesus will soon equip these brothers to mend broken lives with the gospel (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). Jesus called them The call is personal, verbal, and compelling. • It echoes the creative word that summoned light out of darkness (Genesis 1:3; 2 Corinthians 4:6). • Like Elijah’s cloak thrown over Elisha (1 Kings 19:19-21), Jesus’ call demands an immediate, wholehearted response. Verse 22 confirms they “immediately left the boat and their father and followed Him.” • His authority to command stems from who He is—the Son of God (Matthew 17:5)—and what He promises: “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). The call contains both commission and transformation. summary Matthew 4:21 portrays the intentional advance of Jesus as He spots two more ordinary men and summons them into extraordinary kingdom service. The verse assures us that the Lord sees us in our routine, values family and labor, yet claims ultimate allegiance. His call still comes with divine authority and life-changing purpose: leave lesser nets, follow Him, and participate in His redemptive mission. (21) Mending their nets.--On the assumption that the facts in St. Luke preceded what we read here, the "mending" might seem the natural consequence of the "breaking" there described, and be noted as an undesigned coincidence. It must be remembered, however, (1) that the "mending" as well as "washing" flowed naturally even on a night of unsuccessful fishing, and (2) that the Greek of St. Luke does not say that the nets actually broke, but that they were on the point of breaking, and were beginning to do so.Verse 21. - Other two brethren (cf. ver. 18, note); in Matthew only. James the son of Zebedee. Why is the father of Peter and Andrew never mentioned, save incidentally, and by our Lord (Matthew 16:17; John 1:42; John 21:15-17)? Probably Zebedee and his wife Salome became, unlike Peter's parents, well-known believers. It may be that Peter was the eldest of the Twelve, and that his father was already dead or, though perhaps believing on Jesus, was too old to take any special part in the work. Luke (Luke 5:10) adds, "Who were partners with Simon" - an item of information perhaps obtained from the same source as his first and second chapters. In a ship; in the boot (Revised Version), and so always in the Gospels. The word (πλοῖον) may be used of any sized vessel (equivalent to "large ship ' in Acts 27.), but here, as managed by so few men, it is equivalent to "boat." Other words translated "boat" in the New Testament are πλοιάριον, "little boat" (Mark once, John four times), and σκάφη, "small ship's boat" (Acts 27:16, 30, 32). Josephus says ('Bell. Jud.,' 2:21.8) that when he gathered all the boats on the lake to attack Tiberius, there were "not more than four sailors in each;" by which he probably means, not the number of men wherewith he was able to equip them, but the number he found already managing them. With Zebedee their father. In Matthew only. Mending their nets. The first pair of brothers were in the excitement of catching; the second had perhaps caught, and were mending their nets with a view to a fresh attempt; in neither case was there a moment's delay. And he called them. This time his words are not given.Parallel Commentaries ... Greek Going onπροβὰς (probas) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 4260: To go forward, advance. From pro and the base of basis; to walk forward, i.e. Advance. from there, ἐκεῖθεν (ekeithen) Adverb Strong's 1564: Thence, from that place. From ekei; thence. He saw εἶδεν (eiden) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 3708: Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear. two δύο (dyo) Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural Strong's 1417: Two. A primary numeral; 'two'. other ἄλλους (allous) Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural Strong's 243: Other, another (of more than two), different. A primary word; 'else, ' i.e. Different. brothers, ἀδελφούς (adelphous) Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural Strong's 80: A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote. James Ἰάκωβον (Iakōbon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 2385: The same as Iakob Graecized; Jacobus, the name of three Israelites. [son] τὸν (ton) Article - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. of Zebedee Ζεβεδαίου (Zebedaiou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular Strong's 2199: Zebedee, father of the apostles James and John. Of Hebrew origin; Zebedaeus, an Israelite. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. his αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. brother ἀδελφὸν (adelphon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 80: A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote. John. Ἰωάννην (Iōannēn) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 2491: Of Hebrew origin; Joannes, the name of four Israelites. [They were] in ἐν (en) Preposition Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. a boat πλοίῳ (ploiō) Noun - Dative Neuter Singular Strong's 4143: A ship, vessel, boat. From pleo; a sailer, i.e. Vessel. with μετὰ (meta) Preposition Strong's 3326: (a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives. their αὐτῶν (autōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. father πατρὸς (patros) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular Strong's 3962: Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'. Zebedee, Ζεβεδαίου (Zebedaiou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular Strong's 2199: Zebedee, father of the apostles James and John. Of Hebrew origin; Zebedaeus, an Israelite. mending καταρτίζοντας (katartizontas) Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Plural Strong's 2675: From kata and a derivative of artios; to complete thoroughly, i.e. Repair or adjust. their αὐτῶν (autōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. nets. δίκτυα (diktya) Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural Strong's 1350: A fishing-net. Probably from a primary verb diko; a seine. [Jesus] called ἐκάλεσεν (ekalesen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 2564: (a) I call, summon, invite, (b) I call, name. Akin to the base of keleuo; to 'call'. them, αὐτούς (autous) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. Links Matthew 4:21 NIVMatthew 4:21 NLT Matthew 4:21 ESV Matthew 4:21 NASB Matthew 4:21 KJV Matthew 4:21 BibleApps.com Matthew 4:21 Biblia Paralela Matthew 4:21 Chinese Bible Matthew 4:21 French Bible Matthew 4:21 Catholic Bible NT Gospels: Matthew 4:21 Going on from there he saw two (Matt. Mat Mt) |
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