King James Version

What Does Matthew 4:21 Mean?

Matthew 4:21 in the King James Version says “And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebe... — study this verse from Matthew chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

Matthew 4:21 · KJV


Context

19

And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

20

And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.

21

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.

22

And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.

23

And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The call of James and John follows the same pattern—Jesus calls, they immediately follow. The detail that they left 'their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants' shows they left family responsibilities and business interests. Yet this abandonment was not irresponsible but responsive to a higher calling. Christ's call takes precedence even over family obligations, though not in a way that dishonors God's design for family.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Zebedee's possession of a boat and hired servants suggests the family was relatively prosperous. James and John's willingness to leave this family business for an uncertain future with an itinerant rabbi demonstrates radical faith. They would later be among Jesus' inner circle.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does leaving family business and father illustrate Jesus' teaching that He must be loved above even family (Matthew 10:37)?
  2. What does this passage teach about the relationship between legitimate responsibilities and ultimate allegiance to Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 31 words
καὶ1 of 31

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

προβὰς2 of 31

going on

G4260

to walk forward, i.e., advance (literally, or in years)

ἐκεῖθεν3 of 31

from thence

G1564

thence

εἶδεν4 of 31

he saw

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

ἄλλους5 of 31

other

G243

"else," i.e., different (in many applications)

δύο6 of 31

two

G1417

"two"

ἀδελφὸν7 of 31

brethren

G80

a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)

Ἰάκωβον8 of 31

James

G2385

jacobus, the name of three israelites

τὰ9 of 31

the son of

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

τὰ10 of 31

the son of

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ζεβεδαίου11 of 31

Zebedee

G2199

zebedaeus, an israelite

καὶ12 of 31

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

Ἰωάννην13 of 31

John

G2491

joannes (i.e., jochanan), the name of four israelites

τὰ14 of 31

the son of

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀδελφὸν15 of 31

brethren

G80

a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)

αὐτούς16 of 31

his

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἐν17 of 31

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τὰ18 of 31

the son of

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πλοίῳ19 of 31

a ship

G4143

a sailer, i.e., vessel

μετὰ20 of 31

with

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

Ζεβεδαίου21 of 31

Zebedee

G2199

zebedaeus, an israelite

τὰ22 of 31

the son of

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πατρὸς23 of 31

father

G3962

a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)

αὐτούς24 of 31

his

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καταρτίζοντας25 of 31

mending

G2675

to complete thoroughly, i.e., repair (literally or figuratively) or adjust

τὰ26 of 31

the son of

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δίκτυα27 of 31

nets

G1350

a seine (for fishing)

αὐτούς28 of 31

his

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ29 of 31

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐκάλεσεν30 of 31

he called

G2564

to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise)

αὐτούς31 of 31

his

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Matthew. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Matthew 4:21 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Matthew 4:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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