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B. W. Johnson's Bible Commentary

Matthew 4:20

They straightway left their nets.

The words seem to suggest, as their immediate and strict sense, that the fishermen thus summoned left their nets lying where they were, without waiting to deposit or secure them.-- J. A. Alexander.

Followed him.

That is, from this time, they were constant followers of the Lord. But when he happened to be in the neighborhood of their homes, they resumed their fishing.-- Alford.. LLUSTRATION: "Who will go to China?" asked the moderator of. Scotch Presbyterian assembly. "I will," answered William C. Burns. "When can you leave?" "To-morrow!"-- S. S. Journal.

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See also Matthew 4:20 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse Matthew 4:20. _THEY STRAIGHTWAY LEFT_ THEIR _NETS_] A change, as far as it respected secular things, every way to their disadvantage. The proud and the profane may exult and say, "Such preacher...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    STRAIGHTWAY - Immediately - as all should do when the Lord Jesus calls them. LEFT THEIR NETS - Their nets were the means of their living, perhaps all their property. By leaving them immediately, and f...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    4. THE TESTING OF THE KING AND HIS TESTIMONY. _ 1. The Testing by the Devil. (Matthew 4:1 .) 2. His Testimony and His Disciples. (Matthew 4:12 .) 3. The Powers of the Kingdom. (Matthew 4:23 .)_ CHAP...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    THE CALL OF THE FIRST DISCIPLES (Mark 1:16 *; contrast Luke 5:1 and John 1:35). _Cf._ p. 665. The account is almost identical with that in Mk., except that Mt. omits the mention of the hired servants...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    THE TESTING TIME (Matthew 4:1-11) Step by step Matthew unfolds the story of Jesus. He begins by showing us how Jesus was born into this world. He goes on to show us, at least by implication, that Jes...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    While he was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew. his brother, casting their net into the sea, for they were fishermen. He said to them 'Foll...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    NETS. Plural _diktuon._ Not the same word as in Matthew 4:18, or Matthew 13:47....

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    The Call of Peter and Andrew and of the sons of Zebedee. See Mark 1:16-20 In Luke Simon is mentioned without any introduction, ch. Luke 4:38. The narrative of Luke 5:3-11 must be referred to a differ...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    THE CALL OF PETER AND ANDREW AND OF THE SONS OF ZEBEDEE See Mark 1:16-20. In Luke, Simon is mentioned without any introduction, ch. Luke 4:38. The narrative of Luke 5:3-11 must be referred to a diffe...

  • Catena Aurea Commentary

    Ver 18. And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 19. And He saith unto them, "Follow M...

  • Charles Box Commentaries

    _JESUS WAS A CALLING SAVIOR MATTHEW 4:18-22:_ Jesus called four fishermen to follow Him. They were Peter, Andrew, James and John. His call was simple -- “follow me.” The purpose of the call to the apo...

  • Charles Rose Commentaries

    ΕΎΘΈΩΣ (G2112) сразу, ΑΦΈΝΤΕΣ _aor. act. part._ am ΆΦΊΗΜΙ (G863), _см._ Matthew 4:11. ΔΊΚΤΥΟΝ (G1350) сеть. Различные слова, обозначающие рыбачьи сети, _см._ в Trench, Synonyms, 235-37. ΉΚΟΛΟΎΘΗΣΑΝ...

  • Charles Simeon's Horae Homileticae

    DISCOURSE: 1287 THE CALL OF FOUR APOSTLES Matthew 4:18. And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon, called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they we...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    CHAPTER FOUR Section 9. JESUS CALLS FOUR FISHERMEN (Parallels: Mark 1:16-21; Luke 5:1-11) TEXT: 4:18-22 18. And walking by the sea of Galilee, he saw two brethren, Simon who is called Peter, and And...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. AND THEY STRAIGHTWAY LEFT THEIR NETS, AND FOLLOWED HIM....

  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    18-19 Compare Mar_1:16-18; Luk_5:1-11; Joh_1:40-42. 21-22 Compare Mar_1:19-20; Luk_5:10-11. 23 See Mar_1:21-39. 25 Compare Mar_3:7-8. 1-2 Compare Luk_6:20:23. 1 The “Sermon on the Mount” was proba...

  • Darby's translation notes (1890)

    4:20 trawl-nets, (b-6) Lit. 'the trawl-nets.' The word is supposed to derive from the verb 'to cast.' so Mark 1:18 ; Luke 5:2-6 ; John 21:6-11 ; 'seine,' in...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    CALL OF SIMON, ANDREW, JAMES, AND JOHN (Mark 1:16 cp. Luke 5:1). Simon, Andrew, and John had already been disciples for some time, and so probably had James: see John 1:35. The call was therefore not...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    THE TEMPTATION 1-11. The temptation (Mark 1:12; Luke 4:1). The narrative, which can only have come from our Lord's own lips, describes an actual historical fact, the great temptation which He underwen...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    MATTHEW’S GOOD NEWS MATTHEW’S *GOSPEL _HILDA BRIGHT_ CHAPTER 4 THE DEVIL TESTS JESUS 4:1-11 V1 The *Holy Spirit led Jesus into the desert. The devil tested Jesus while he was there. V2 For 40 d...

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    CHAPTER 6 Beginning of His Galilean Ministry - Matthew 4:12. DID our Lord's ministry begin in Galilee? If so, why did He not Himself set the example of "beginning at Jerusalem?" As a matter of fact w...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    _Beginnings of the Galilean ministry_ (Mark 1:14-15; Luke 4:14-15). In a few rapid strokes the evangelist describes the opening of the Messianic work of Jesus in Galilee. He has in view the great Serm...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    he effect was immediate: εὐθέως ἀφέντες. This seems surprising, and we naturally postulate previous knowledge in explanation. But all indications point to the uniquely impressive personality of Jesus....

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    _Call of four disciples_. The preceding very general statement is followed by a more specific narrative relating to a very important department of Christ's work, the gathering of disciples. Disciples...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    OPENING WORKS OF MERCY AND POWER Matthew 4:18-25 We must read the first chapter of John into the opening paragraph. Already the Lord had met with these first disciples in the Jordan valley; but they...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    "Then." After the heavens opened, hell is opened. The King must not only be in perfect harmony with the order and beauty of the heavens, He must face all the disorder and ugliness of the abyss. Goodne...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him. I pray the Reader not to overlook the sovereignty of the LORD's call. What a marvellous light, and what a marvellous power must h...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    God has been pleased, in the separate accounts He has given us of our Lord Jesus, to display not only His own grace and wisdom, but the infinite excellency of His Son. It is our wisdom to seek to prof...

  • James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary

    _FISHERS OF MEN_ ‘I will make you fishers of men.’ Matthew 4:19 The object of the preaching of the Gospel is to catch men. I. ONLY CHRIST CAN MAKE FISHERS OF MEN.—Christian people should be willin...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    Having thus, in grace, taken up His position as man on earth, He commences His earthly career, being led of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. The righteous and holy man, the S...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    AND THEY STRAIGHTWAY LEFT THEIR NETS,.... That is, as soon as he had called them, they left their worldly employment, and followed him; they gave up themselves to his service, and became his disciples...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    And they straightway left _their_ nets, and followed him. Ver. 20. _And they straightway left their nets_] As the woman of Samaria did her pitcher, Matthew his toll book, and blind Bartimeus his cloa...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _He saith unto them_ Namely, after some previous circumstances, an account of which is given, Luke 5:1. _Follow me_ That is, not only now and then, as you have hitherto done, since my baptism, John 1:...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    And they straightway left their nets, and followed Him. This was not a request for mere companionship, but an authoritative, though genial call to apostleship, couched in language which would appeal t...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    But the Lord had need of them:...

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    There could be no doubt therefore that He would fulfil this virtual pledge to bear their sins on Calvary. Notice too that the Father approves Him in this unqualified way before His being tested by Sat...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    18-22 When Christ began to preach, he began to gather disciples, who should be hearers, and afterwards preachers of his doctrine, who should be witnesses of his miracles, and afterwards testify conce...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    When Christ calls, men shall obey; when he calls, he draweth. It is not of indispensable necessity that men who exercise the ministry should have nothing else to do, Paul's hands ministered to his nec...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    Matthew 4:20 G1161 immediately G2112 left G863 (G5631) nets G1350 followed G190 (G5656) Him G846...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    ‘And they immediately left the nets, and followed him.' The response is seen to be brief and to the point. They  _immediately_  left their nets and followed Him. They needed no second bidding. From no...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    JESUS BEGINS TO ESTABLISH THE BASIS OF HIS NEW COMMUNITY (4:18-22). Jesus' plan for the future now begins to unfold. He begins to call men to follow Him, men whom He can instruct and train, with the i...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    THE LIGHT COMMENCES TO SHINE, AND THE MESSIAH PREPARES FOR WORLD CONQUEST THROUGH THE WORD (4:12-22). Having determined His future course Jesus wastes no time in putting it into effect. But the death...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    CONTENTS AND CONNECTION. The appearance of Jesus as the light of the world amidst the darkness of the land of Galilee, in accordance with prophecy (Matthew 4:12-16). The record begins at the close of...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    Matthew 4:20. STRAIGHTWAY (the same word as in Matthew 4:22). Emphatic; there was no delay. Luke tells of a miraculous draught of fishes, which preceded and prepared the fishermen to obey. His narrati...

  • Sermon Bible Commentary

    Matthew 4:19 The Attractive Force of Jesus. I. The Lord had but one method with all classes. He could only bless the rich by making them feel that a man's heart was beating, and a man's needs were cr...

  • Sermon Bible Commentary

    Matthew 4:18 Jesus and the Fishermen. Observe here I. Jesus called the Galilean fishermen. There was nothing novel in the calling of men from a lowly condition to the performance of a high and holy...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    4:12. _Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;_ Notice that there were at that time only two great ministers of God, John the Baptist, he must go to prison...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Temptation of Jesus. Jesus' public ministry begun. Call of first disciples. CHARACTERS: Jesus, Satan, John the Baptist, Peter, Andrew, James, John, Isaiah. CONCLUSION: The Word of God is t...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    Matthew 4:1. _Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit,_ υπο του πνευματος, the Holy Spirit, as indicated by the Greek article, and declared in the verses preseding. _Led into the wilderness,_ where he was...

  • The Bible Study New Testament

    At ONCE. They did not question his word of command. They obeyed at once!...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 4:18 PETER, JAMES 1:1, and...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 4:12 These verses mark the beginning of Jesus’ Galilean ministry. It is traditionally thought that Jesus’ ministry lasted three years: a year of obscurity, a year of popularity...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 4:1 Jesus the Messiah Begins to Advance the Messianic Kingdom. Jesus triumphs over the devil in the wilderness (vv. Matthew 4:1), proclaims the kingdom

  • The Gospels Compared

    FOUR FISHERMEN FOLLOW JESUS MATTHEW 4:18-22; MARK 1:16-20; MATTHEW 4:18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the s...

  • The Great Commentary of Cornelius à Lapide

    CHAPTER 4 _By the devil_. Syriac, _by the accuser_, Gr. _διάβολος_, _accuser_, _calumniator_. For Satan is he who accuses men before God perpetually, that he may gain them for himself and Gehenna. _T...

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _CRITICAL NOTES_ Matthew 4:12. CAST INTO PRISON.—_Delivered up_ (R.V.). GALILEE = a circle or circuit originally confined to a “circle” of twenty cities given by Solomon to Hiram, 1 Kings 9:11 (cf. Jo...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION MATTHEW 4:1 THE TEMPTATION. The Father's acceptance of the Lord's consecration of himself for the work of the kingdom does not exclude temptation, but rather necessitates it. Psychologica...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    Chapter Four Then was Jesus led of the Spirit into the wilderness (Matthew 4:1) Immediately, He is now being led by the Spirit, walking after the Spirit. The New Testament has so much to say to us co...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    1 Kings 19:21; Galatians 1:16; Luke 18:28; Mark 10:28; Matthew 10:

  • Wells of Living Water Commentary

    THE FIRST DISCIPLES Matthew 4:13 INTRODUCTORY WORDS As introductory we wish to speak on the wonderful privileges which belong to saints, called into comradeship with God. Where is the man or the wo...

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