John Calvin Commentary Matthew 4:18

"And walking by the sea of Galilee, he saw two brethren, Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishers." — Matthew 4:18 (ASV)

And Jesus walking. Since this account is placed by Luke after the two miracles we will see later, an opinion has commonly prevailed that the miracle he relates here was performed some time after they had been called by Christ.³³⁶

However, the reason they allege carries little weight, because the Evangelists did not observe a fixed and distinct chronological order when composing their narratives.

Consequently, they disregard the order of time and content themselves with presenting, in a summary manner, the leading transactions in the life of Christ.

They undoubtedly paid attention to the years, so as to make it clear to their readers how Christ was occupied during the three years from the beginning of His preaching until His death.

But miracles that took place at nearly the same time are freely intermixed, which will appear more clearly later from many examples.³³⁷

That this is the same account given by the three Evangelists is proven by many arguments; however, we may mention one that will be sufficient to satisfy any reader who is not contentious.

All three agree that Peter and Andrew, James and John, were made apostles.

If they had been previously called, it would follow that they were apostates who had forsaken their Master, despised their calling, and returned to their former occupation.

The only difference between Luke and the other two is that he alone relates the miracle, which the others omit.

But it is not uncommon for the Evangelists to touch lightly on one part of a transaction and to leave out many of the circumstances.

Therefore, it is not absurd to say that a miracle related by one has been passed over by the other two.

And we must bear in mind what John says: that out of the innumerable miracles which Jesus did (John 21:25), only a part has been selected, which was sufficient to prove His divine power and to confirm our faith in Him.

Therefore, there is no reason to wonder if the calling of the four apostles is touched upon lightly by Matthew and Mark, while the occasion for it is more fully explained by Luke.

³³⁶ “Quelque temps apresque Jesus Christ ent appelle a soy Pierre, Andre, Jean, et Jaques.” — “Some time after that Jesus Christ had called to himself Peter, Andrew, John, and James.”.” — “Some time after that Jesus Christ had called to himself Peter, Andrew, John, and James.”

³³⁷ “Ils ne s'amusent pas, esplucher de pres lequel est le premier, ou le second.” —— “They do not give themselves the trouble of investigating closely which is first or second.”do not give themselves the trouble of investigating closely which is first or second.”