Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 4:21-22

"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. And they straightway left the boat and their father, and followed him." — Matthew 4:21-22 (ASV)

Our Lord delighted in fishermen; possibly their bold heart and outspoken character fitted them for His service. At any rate, these would be the briars upon which He could graft the roses of His grace.

Some He calls to preach when casting their nets and some while mending them, but in either case, they are busy. We will need both to cast and mend nets after we are called to our Lord's work.

Note how our Lord again calls two brothers. Two together are far better than one person acting alone. The Lord knows that our nature seeks companionship; no companion in work is better than a brother.

This second pair of brothers left their father as well as their fishery. The first left their nets, but these left the ship. The first have no relatives mentioned, but these left father and mother for Christ's sake, and they did it as unhesitatingly as the others. It did not seem much of a prospect to follow the homeless Jesus, but an inward attraction drew them, and they followed, charmed to obey the voice divine.

Zebedee may have thought his sons' departure was a great loss to him, but it is not recorded that he expressed any objection to their doing so. Perhaps he gladly gave up his boys for such a service. We feel sure that their mother did. In the service of Jesus, we are not to be restrained by family ties. He has a higher claim than father or husband.

Lord, call me and my brother and all my family into Your grace, if not into Your ministry!