Matthew 4:18-22

The Calling of the First Disciples in Matthew 4.

Simon Peter (also called Simon, Cephas, and Peter) was one of the twelve apostles and the foremost among the disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. His original name was Simon, and Jesus gave him the name Cephas (Aramaic), translated into Greek as Peter, meaning “a stone” (John 1:42). Though naturally bold, impulsive, and outspoken, he was transformed by the grace of God into a courageous and faithful leader of the early Church. Peter was born in Bethsaida, a fishing town on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee (John 1:44), though he later lived in Capernaum (Mark 1:29). He was the son of Jonah (John) (Matt. 16:17; John 21:15–17) and the brother of Andrew, who first introduced him to Jesus (John 1:40–42). Peter was married, as shown by the healing of his mother-in-law (Matt. 8:14–15), though Scripture does not record the name of his wife. Before being called by Christ, Peter earned his living as a fisherman in partnership with Andrew and with James and John, the sons of Zebedee (Luke 5:1–11). When Jesus called him to become a “fisher of men,” Peter left his occupation to follow Him (Matt. 4:18–20). Peter appears more frequently in the Gospels than any other disciple. He confessed Jesus to be “the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16:16), witnessed the Transfiguration (Matt. 17:1–8), and was present during many of the Lord’s most significant miracles. Although he famously denied Christ three times before the crucifixion (Luke 22:54–62), he was graciously restored by the risen Lord beside the Sea of Galilee (John 21:15–19). Following the ascension of Christ, Peter became a principal leader among the apostles. He preached the sermon on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2), opened the door of the gospel to the Gentiles through the conversion of Cornelius (Acts 10), and faithfully endured persecution for the name of Christ. Under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, he wrote the New Testament epistles of 1 Peter and 2 Peter, encouraging believers to stand firm in faith amid suffering and to await the glorious return of Christ. Peter’s life demonstrates both the weakness of human nature and the transforming power of God’s grace. From an impulsive fisherman he became a steadfast shepherd of God’s people, whose testimony continues to strengthen believers throughout every generation.

Andrew was one of the twelve apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ and was a native of Bethsaida, a fishing town on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee (John 1:44). He was the son of Jonas (John) and the brother of Simon Peter (Matt. 4:18; John 1:42). Andrew and Peter were partners in the fishing trade before Christ called them to full-time discipleship. They later lived for a time in Capernaum, where Peter had a house (Mark 1:29). Before following Jesus, Andrew had been a disciple of John the Baptist. When John pointed to Jesus as “the Lamb of God,” Andrew immediately followed Christ and became one of His earliest disciples (John 1:35–40). Having found the Messiah, Andrew’s first recorded act was to bring his brother Simon to Jesus, demonstrating his desire to lead others to the Saviour (John 1:41–42). Andrew is mentioned by name on several occasions in the Gospels. He brought the boy with the five loaves and two fishes to Jesus before the feeding of the five thousand (John 6:8–9), introduced certain Greeks who wished to see the Lord (John 12:20–22), and, together with Peter, James, and John, heard Christ’s discourse concerning the last days on the Mount of Olives (Mark 13:3). Andrew is often remembered as a humble and faithful servant who worked quietly rather than seeking prominence. Although never the leading apostle, he repeatedly appears bringing people to Christ. His life illustrates the importance of personal evangelism, faithful service, and contentment in labouring for the Lord without seeking recognition. According to early Christian tradition, Andrew later preached the gospel widely and was martyred for his faith, though the details of his later ministry are not recorded in Scripture.

James, the son of Zebedee, was one of the twelve apostles chosen by the Lord Jesus Christ. He was probably born in Bethsaida or later lived in Capernaum, where his family carried on a successful fishing business upon the Sea of Galilee (Matt. 4:21; Mark 1:19–20). His father was Zebedee, a fisherman of some means who employed hired servants, and his mother was Salome, who faithfully followed the Lord, ministered unto Him, and was present at His crucifixion (Mark 15:40; 16:1). James was the elder brother of the Apostle John, and together they were partners with Simon Peter and Andrew in the fishing trade (Luke 5:10). James and John were surnamed Boanerges, meaning “Sons of Thunder” (Mark 3:17), a title which reflects their bold, zealous, and sometimes impetuous character. Though at times their zeal required correction (Luke 9:54–55), the Lord graciously moulded James into a devoted and faithful servant. James belonged to the Lord’s innermost circle of disciples, together with Peter and John. These three alone witnessed the raising of Jairus’ daughter, the Transfiguration of Christ, and the Lord’s agony in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mark 5:37; 9:2; 14:33). His privileged position demonstrates the confidence the Lord placed in him and the spiritual lessons he was chosen to receive. James was also the first of the apostles to suffer martyrdom. Around A.D. 44, King Herod Agrippa I put him to death with the sword, making him the first apostolic witness to seal his testimony with his blood (Acts 12:1–2). His faithful life and courageous death remain a lasting testimony to wholehearted devotion to Christ.

John, whose Hebrew name means “The LORD is gracious,” was one of the twelve apostles chosen by the Lord Jesus Christ. He was probably born in Bethsaida in Galilee (John 1:44), though he later lived and worked from Capernaum with his family in the fishing trade. John was the son of Zebedee, a prosperous fisherman, and Salome, who was one of the faithful women who ministered to the Lord Jesus and witnessed His crucifixion (Matt. 27:55–56; Mark 15:40–41). He was the younger brother of James, and together they were partners with Simon Peter in a successful fishing business (Luke 5:10). Jesus gave John and James the surname Boanerges, meaning “Sons of Thunder,” reflecting their naturally zealous and passionate temperament (Mark 3:17). Before following Christ, John appears to have been a disciple of John the Baptist (John 1:35–40). He was among the first to recognise Jesus as the Messiah and soon left his fishing business to become a full-time disciple. Together with Peter and James, he formed the Lord’s inner circle and witnessed such significant events as the raising of Jairus’ daughter, the Transfiguration, and the Lord’s agony in Gethsemane. John is frequently described as the disciple who Jesus loved (John 13:23), a title that highlights Christ’s special affection for him rather than any superiority on John’s part. At the cross, the dying Saviour entrusted the care of His mother Mary to John (John 19:26–27), a responsibility he faithfully fulfilled.

Following Christ’s ascension, John became one of the principal leaders of the church in Jerusalem (Acts 3–4; Gal. 2:9). Later tradition places his ministry in Ephesus, from where he exercised pastoral oversight over the churches of Asia Minor. During the reign of the Emperor Domitian, he was exiled to the island of Patmos, where he received the visions recorded in the Book of Revelation (Rev. 1:9). After his release, he is believed to have returned to Ephesus, where he died at an advanced age, probably the last surviving apostle. John was used by the Holy Spirit to write the Gospel of John, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, and Revelation. His writings particularly emphasise the deity of Christ, eternal life, love, truth, fellowship, and the certainty of the Lord’s future return. Though once known for his fiery spirit, John’s life demonstrates how the grace of Christ transforms zeal into steadfast love and faithful service.

Zebedee was a Jewish fisherman of Galilee who lived during the time of our Lord’s earthly ministry. Although the Scriptures do not record his birthplace or ancestry, he appears to have been a prosperous fisherman operating on the Sea of Galilee, owning fishing boats and employing hired servants (Mark 1:20). This suggests that his fishing business was well established and successful. He was the husband of Salome (cf. Matt. 27:56; Mark 15:40; John 19:25, if Salome is identified as the sister of Mary, the mother of Jesus) and the father of the apostles James and John, whom Jesus surnamed Boanerges, meaning “Sons of Thunder” (Mark 3:17). His family appears to have been devout, as Salome faithfully followed and ministered to Christ during His earthly ministry and was among the women present at His crucifixion and resurrection. Zebedee is first mentioned when the Lord Jesus called James and John to become His disciples. At once they left their father in the boat with the hired servants and followed Christ (Matt. 4:21–22; Mark 1:19–20). There is no indication that Zebedee opposed their decision, and the silence of Scripture may suggest his willingness to allow his sons to obey the Lord’s call. Although Zebedee himself is not recorded as becoming one of Christ’s disciples, his influence is evident in the lives of his sons, both of whom became prominent leaders among the apostles. James became the first apostle to suffer martyrdom (Acts 12:2), while John became the beloved disciple, the author of the Fourth Gospel, three Epistles, and the Book of Revelation.