Matthew 4:19

Matthew 4:19. Come ye after me. This call is to be distinguished from the previous acquaintanceship and discipleship (John 1), and also from the later choice and call to the apostleship (Matthew 10). The call is thus expanded: ‘ 1. An invitation to full communion with Him; 2. A demand of perfect self-renunciation for His sake; 3. An announcement of a new sphere of activity under Him; 4. A promise of rich reward from Him. The call of Jesus to follow Him, 1. A call to faith; 2. A call to labor; 3. A call to suffering and cross-bearing; 4. A call to our blessed home.' (Lange.)This call to personal attendance, probably in all cases preceded the call to the apostleship. Even this office did not obtain full validity until the day of Pentecost, when the Church was organized, or, strictly speaking, reorganized. The Twelve were gradually prepared for their work. Paul's case is exceptional.

I will make you. His power, not their ability, made them what they became.

Fishers of men. ‘The main points of resemblance cannot be mistaken, such as the value of the object, the necessity of skill as well as strength, of vigilance as well as labor, with an implication, if not an explicit promise, of abundance and success in their new fishery.' (J. A. Alexander.) Our Lord uses human agents; even He did not labor alone. Let no one assume to be independent of others in any good work.