Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 4:21

"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." — Matthew 4:21 (ASV)

James and John may have been making repairs after a night’s fishing. Jesus took the initiative and “called” (GK 2813) them. In the Synoptics, unlike Paul’s letters (e.g., Romans 8:30), Jesus’ call is not necessarily effectual. But in this instance it was immediately obeyed.