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 were fishers.
Original Language Analysis
Περιπατῶν
walking
G4043
Περιπατῶν
walking
Strong's:
G4043
Word #:
1 of 29
to tread all around, i.e., walk at large (especially as proof of ability); figuratively, to live, deport oneself, follow (as a companion or votary)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
4 of 29
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
παρὰ
by
G3844
παρὰ
by
Strong's:
G3844
Word #:
5 of 29
properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Γαλιλαίας
of Galilee
G1056
Γαλιλαίας
of Galilee
Strong's:
G1056
Word #:
9 of 29
galilaea (i.e., the heathen circle), a region of palestine
εἶδεν
saw
G1492
εἶδεν
saw
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
10 of 29
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
ἀδελφὸν
brethren
G80
ἀδελφὸν
brethren
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
12 of 29
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λεγόμενον
called
G3004
λεγόμενον
called
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
15 of 29
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Πέτρον
Peter
G4074
Πέτρον
Peter
Strong's:
G4074
Word #:
16 of 29
a (piece of) rock (larger than g3037); as a name, petrus, an apostle
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
17 of 29
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀδελφὸν
brethren
G80
ἀδελφὸν
brethren
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
20 of 29
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
21 of 29
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
βάλλοντας
casting
G906
βάλλοντας
casting
Strong's:
G906
Word #:
22 of 29
to throw (in various applications, more or less violent or intense)
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
24 of 29
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
25 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Matthew 10:2Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;Luke 6:14Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,Matthew 16:18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.Matthew 15:29And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there.John 6:1After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias.
Historical Context
The Sea of Galilee (also called Gennesaret or Tiberias) is actually a freshwater lake about 13 miles long and 8 miles wide. Fishing was a major industry, and fishermen formed a significant segment of Galilean economy. Simon (Peter) and Andrew were business partners with James and John (Luke 5:10).
Questions for Reflection
- What does Jesus' calling of common fishermen teach about God's values versus worldly measures of qualification and status?
- How does the metaphor of 'fishers of men' illustrate the nature and urgency of evangelistic ministry?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Jesus' call of fishermen beside the Sea of Galilee demonstrates God's sovereign election of ordinary people for extraordinary purposes. Simon and Andrew's occupation as fishermen becomes prophetic symbolism—they would become 'fishers of men,' gathering people into God's kingdom. The seaside setting also recalls Jesus' later parables about the kingdom being like a net gathering fish (Matthew 13:47-50).