Matthew 4:21
And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
προβὰς
going on
G4260
προβὰς
going on
Strong's:
G4260
Word #:
2 of 31
to walk forward, i.e., advance (literally, or in years)
εἶδεν
he saw
G1492
εἶδεν
he saw
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
4 of 31
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 #:
7 of 31
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
τὰ
the son of
G3588
τὰ
the son of
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὰ
the son of
G3588
τὰ
the son of
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὰ
the son of
G3588
τὰ
the son of
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀδελφὸν
brethren
G80
ἀδελφὸν
brethren
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
15 of 31
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
αὐτούς
his
G846
αὐτούς
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
16 of 31
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
τὰ
the son of
G3588
τὰ
the son of
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μετὰ
with
G3326
μετὰ
with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
20 of 31
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
τὰ
the son of
G3588
τὰ
the son of
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πατρὸς
father
G3962
πατρὸς
father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
23 of 31
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
αὐτούς
his
G846
αὐτούς
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
24 of 31
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
καταρτίζοντας
mending
G2675
καταρτίζοντας
mending
Strong's:
G2675
Word #:
25 of 31
to complete thoroughly, i.e., repair (literally or figuratively) or adjust
τὰ
the son of
G3588
τὰ
the son of
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
26 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτούς
his
G846
αὐτούς
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
28 of 31
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
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
29 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
Mark 3:17And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder: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;Acts 12:2And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.John 21:2There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.
Historical Context
Zebedee's possession of a boat and hired servants suggests the family was relatively prosperous. James and John's willingness to leave this family business for an uncertain future with an itinerant rabbi demonstrates radical faith. They would later be among Jesus' inner circle.
Questions for Reflection
- How does leaving family business and father illustrate Jesus' teaching that He must be loved above even family (Matthew 10:37)?
- What does this passage teach about the relationship between legitimate responsibilities and ultimate allegiance to Christ?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The call of James and John follows the same pattern—Jesus calls, they immediately follow. The detail that they left 'their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants' shows they left family responsibilities and business interests. Yet this abandonment was not irresponsible but responsive to a higher calling. Christ's call takes precedence even over family obligations, though not in a way that dishonors God's design for family.