Matthew Henry Commentary Matthew 4:18-22

"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. And he saith unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left the nets, and followed him. 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 4:18-22 (ASV)

When Christ began to preach, he began to gather disciples, who would be hearers and afterward preachers of his doctrine, who would be witnesses of his miracles and afterward testify concerning them. He did not go to Herod's court, nor to Jerusalem among the chief priests and the elders, but to the Sea of Galilee, among the fishermen. The same power that called Peter and Andrew could have worked upon Annas and Caiaphas, for with God nothing is impossible.

But Christ chooses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise. Diligence in an honest calling is pleasing to Christ, and it is no hindrance to a holy life. Idle people are more open to the temptations of Satan than to the calls of God. It is a happy and hopeful thing to see children careful of their parents, and dutiful.

When Christ comes, it is good to be found doing. Am I in Christ? is a very necessary question to ask ourselves; and, next to that, Am I in my calling? They had followed Christ before, as common disciples (John 1:37); now they must leave their calling. Those who would follow Christ rightly must, at his command, leave all things to follow him, must be ready to part with them.

This instance of the power of the Lord Jesus encourages us to depend on his grace. He speaks, and it is done.