Matthew 4:18-22 (NIV) (2024)

FAQs

What is the lesson of Matthew 4 18 22? ›

Matthew 4:18–22 describes Jesus' calling of two sets of brothers to follow Him as His disciples. Both pairs are working as fishermen on the Sea of Galilee as Jesus is walking by. He commands them to follow Him. Both Andrew and Peter, and James and John, immediately do so, leaving behind careers and family.

Matthew 4:18-20 The Message (MSG)

Jesus said to them, “Come with me. I'll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I'll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass.” They didn't ask questions, but simply dropped their nets and followed.

He means to make those who follow him workers in his kingdom. There is no doubt that Jesus came to establish the kingdom of heaven and to fill it with lost sinners. And there is no doubt that he also wants to do that through those who believe and who accept his call to follow him.

Simon (Simeon in Hebrew) have meaning “The one whom hear (Word of God)”, and Peter (Chepas in Hebrew) means “a rock”. The name changes is to underline the transformation of the person whom hear words of God to a spiritual rock.

I pray: 'Jesus, show me what I need to leave behind in order to be a good disciple. Do not let me fall far behind you and lose sight of you. Keep me close. Thank you for these times of prayer, and for inviting me to share a meal with you in the Eucharist.

Matthew 4 has four main sections: the temptation of Christ, the beginning of Christ's ministry, calling the disciples, and healing and teaching. The temptation of Christ is important to the Gospels because it that Jesus is the Son of God (Hagner 61). He went through the temptations and passed the test.

18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.

I will make you fishers of men . Jesus used a clever play on words to call these fishermen to give up their livelihood of catching fish to rescuing people. This shows that Jesus' ministry is not just about knowledge or only about the disciples' own lives.

The discourse emphasizes the importance of humility and self-sacrifice as the high virtues within the anticipated community. It teaches that in the Kingdom of God, it is childlike humility that matters, not social prominence and clout.

Jesus preaches and teaches the “good news” of God's empire that has invaded Roman Galilee (Matthew 4:23). He also heals people's diseases and infirmities. Verses 23-25 summarize this healing activity. Subsequently the Gospel will alternate summaries with scenes of specific healings.

What all did Jesus tell us to do? ›

When asked which commandment was the most important, Jesus said, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matthew 22:37–39).

A disciple of Jesus must follow Jesus.

Following means that we recognize and accept who Jesus is as Lord, Leader, and Master of our lives. He's the one who initiates and guides; we listen and obediently follow. Following Jesus is an acknowledgment that HE is great then I.

It was Peter who possessed remarkable insight and displayed his depth of faith in the confession of Christ as the Son of God (Matthew 16:15–18; Mark 8:29; Luke 9:20), and it was Peter who rebuked, and in turn was rebuked by, Jesus when the Master prophesied that he would suffer and die (Mark 8:32, 33).

From the point when Jesus chose the disciples, He gives three of them new names. Simon (not the Zealot) was given the name Peter. Then the brothers James and John were given the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder.

Most religious scholars and historians agree with Pope Francis that the historical Jesus principally spoke a Galilean dialect of Aramaic.

The weeds represent those people who do not listen to God's word, they are “sons of the evil one” who will go to the fiery furnace of hell at the end of time. The harvest workers are the angels and harvest time is the end of the age. This means that on Earth, good and bad people will grow and live together.

Jesus taught that God is willing to let us off a debt we cannot repay, so we should be ready to forgive others. The servant who did not forgive was tortured. Perhaps Jesus is referring to the way a person feels when they cannot forgive. They remain bitter and resentful and end up suffering the most.

When we make the good confession that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, we are accepting His authority (Matthew 28:18-20). Our authority is not Moses, or Elijah, or one of the prophets. We must listen to Jesus Christ (Matthew 17:5). We will be judged by Him and His Word at the Last Day (John 12:48; Acts 17:30-31).

Understanding the text

Jesus wants to teach people the importance of praying with the right attitude. This parable is aimed at those who think they are very righteous and look down on others – that is, the Pharisees.