Matthew 4:18-22

Call of Simon, Andrew, James, and John (Mark 1:16 cp. Luke 5:1). Simon, Andrew, and John had already been disciples for some time, and so probably had James: see John 1:35. The call was therefore not so sudden and unexpected as it appears to be in the synoptic narrative. In Luke 5:1 a very similar call is recorded in connexion with a miraculous draught of fishes, and many suppose the two incidents to be the same. If they are distinct, and this seems the preferable view (see on Luke 5:1), the order of events is as follows. Immediately after His migration to Capernaum Jesus called the four fishermen, who were already disciples, to be apostles. They did not, however, while Jesus remained in Capernaum, entirely leave their trade, but waited for a final summons. This soon came. When about to leave Capernaum for a tour through Galilee, Jesus appeared to them again, and after working a symbolical miracle (Luke 5:1), called them finally to accompany Him. He called them while actually at their work, as He called Matthew (Matthew 9:9), in order to show that no idle or useless person can be a Christian.