Matthew 4:18 Meaning and Explanation
“And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Walking by the sea, Jesus sees the fishermen brothers Simon Peter and Andrew at their work.
What Does Matthew 4:18 Mean?
Jesus walks along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, the lake beside his new home in Capernaum, and notices two brothers, Simon (called Peter) and Andrew, casting their net. They are working men, fishermen busy at an ordinary trade. Matthew notes plainly, "for they were fishers," grounding the call to come in everyday life.
The Lord does not seek out the powerful or the schooled but men at their nets. That Jesus sees them first is itself grace -- the calling begins with his looking, not their seeking. God's great work often starts with people in the middle of common labor, and no honest occupation is too plain to become the doorway to following Christ.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 4:18
What does Matthew 4:18 mean?
Walking by the sea, Jesus sees the fishermen brothers Simon Peter and Andrew at their work.