WHILE THE PEOPLE PUSHED THEIR WAY UP TO HIM. When people have not been
made prejudiced by false teachers, they are usually eager to hear the
Word. LAKE GENNESARET. Another name for Lake Galilee [also called Lake
Tiberias].... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SAW TWO BOATS. They belonged to Peter and Andrew; and James and
John. See notes on Matthew 4:18-22.... [ Continue Reading ]
IT BELONGED TO SIMON. We know him better as Peter. AND TAUGHT THE
CROWD. He sat in the fishing boat to teach, so the crowd could not
push against him.... [ Continue Reading ]
OUT FARTHER TO THE DEEP WATER. Where the fish are. LET YOUR NETS DOWN
FOR A CATCH. This is Jesus' promise that they will catch fish. BUT IF
YOU say SO. They had worked hard all night without catching any fish,
but if Christ says so, he will try again. Note that Simon Peter was
already a disciple of... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT THE NETS WERE ABOUT TO BREAK. "The schools of fish in Lake
Galilee are things of wonder, black masses hundreds of yards long, as
thick as they could pack themselves together, with their black fins
sticking up out of the water. Any net would strain to hold such a
heavy load.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE FELL ON HIS KNEES BEFORE JESUS. Amazed and frightened by the
miracle which brought the fish into their nets.... [ Continue Reading ]
JESUS SAID TO SIMON. He speaks to Simon, but he intends this for the
others also (Matthew 4:19).... [ Continue Reading ]
LEFT EVERYTHING, AND FOLLOWED JESUS. They were already disciples (John
1:40-42), but had continued to go on fishing. Now they will follow
Jesus personally. From now on they will be catching men for Jesus.
Together they will "let the nets down" at Pentecost, and harvest a
large number.... [ Continue Reading ]
A MAN WHO WAS COVERED WITH LEPROSY. See notes on Matthew 8:1-4.... [ Continue Reading ]
SOME PHARISEES AND TEACHERS OF THE LAW. See notes on Matthew 9:1-8.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND SAW A TAX COLLECTOR NAMED LEVI. We know this man better as
Matthew. See notes on Matthew 9:9-17. All the "inner circle" of
disciples had been disciples of John the Baptist, who then left him to
follow Christ (Acts 1:20-21). All had continued to work at their jobs
until this official call from Je... [ Continue Reading ]