Matthew 4:21

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
καὶ
G2532
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#2
προβὰς
G4260
going on
to walk forward, i.e., advance (literally, or in years)
#3
ἐκεῖθεν
G1564
from thence
thence
#4
εἶδεν
G1492
he saw
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
#5
ἄλλους
G243
other
"else," i.e., different (in many applications)
#6
δύο
G1417
two
"two"
#7
ἀδελφὸν
G80
brethren
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
#8
Ἰάκωβον
G2385
James
jacobus, the name of three israelites
#9
τὰ
G3588
the son of
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#10
τὰ
G3588
the son of
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#11
Ζεβεδαίου
G2199
Zebedee
zebedaeus, an israelite
#12
καὶ
G2532
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#13
Ἰωάννην
G2491
John
joannes (i.e., jochanan), the name of four israelites
#14
τὰ
G3588
the son of
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#15
ἀδελφὸν
G80
brethren
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
#16
αὐτούς
G846
his
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
#17
ἐν
G1722
in
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#18
τὰ
G3588
the son of
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#19
πλοίῳ
G4143
a ship
a sailer, i.e., vessel
#20
μετὰ
G3326
with
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
#21
Ζεβεδαίου
G2199
Zebedee
zebedaeus, an israelite
#22
τὰ
G3588
the son of
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#23
πατρὸς
G3962
father
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
#24
αὐτούς
G846
his
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
#25
καταρτίζοντας
G2675
mending
to complete thoroughly, i.e., repair (literally or figuratively) or adjust
#26
τὰ
G3588
the son of
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#27
δίκτυα
G1350
nets
a seine (for fishing)
#28
αὐτούς
G846
his
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
#29
καὶ
G2532
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#30
ἐκάλεσεν
G2564
he called
to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise)
#31
αὐτούς
G846
his
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

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Matthew. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to gospel presenting Jesus as the fulfillment of Jewish Messianic hope, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of Jewish biographical literature presenting Jesus as the fulfillment of Scripture shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Matthew Understanding a worldview expecting divine intervention through a promised Messiah helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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