Mateo 4:21

21 Y pasando de allí vio otros dos hermanos, Jacobo, hijo de Zebedeo, y Juan su hermano, en el barco con Zebedeo, su padre, que remendaban sus redes; y los llamó

Mateo 4:21 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 4:21

And going on from thence, he saw other two
When he had gone but a little way further, ( Mark 1:19 ) he spied two other persons he was looking for, and had designed to call to the office of apostleship; and these are also described as "brethren", and by name,

James, the son of Zebedee, and John his brother.
The Jews make mention in their writings ^F8, of one (ydbz rb bqey r) , "R. James, the son of Zebedee": which Capellus ^F9 conjectures is the very same person here mentioned: but the James they speak of as a disciple of Jesus, they call (hanym bqey) , "James the heretic" ^F11; who, they say, was of the village of Secaniah, and sometimes of the village of Sama. His brother's name was John, who was the Evangelist, as well as Apostle: these were

in a ship with Zebedee their father.
Men of this name, and sons of men of this name, were very common among the Jewish Rabbins; but neither this man, nor his sons, were masters or doctors in Israel; for such Christ chose not for his apostles. It seems to be the same name with Zebadiah, ( 1 Chronicles 27:7 ) these, with him, were "mending their nets", which were broken, and needed repairing; and perhaps being poor, could not afford to buy new ones: this shows their industry and diligence, and may be a pattern and example to persons, closely to attend the business of their calling, whilst the providence of God continues them in it.

And he called them:
from their employment, to follow him, and become his disciples; and no doubt gave them the same promise and encouragement he had given the two former.

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FOOTNOTES:

F8 T. Hieros. Yebamot, fol. 9. 4. & Maaser Sheni, fol. 55. 2. Trumot. fol. 45. 2. Sheviith. fol. 35. 1. Bereshith Rab. fol. 31. 4. & 36. 2.
F9 Spicilegium in loc.
F11 T. Bab. Megilla, 23. 1. Avoda Zara, fol 17. 1. & 27. 2. & 28. 1. Cholin. fol. 84. 1. T. Hieros. Sabbat. fol. 14. 4. & Abvoda Zara, fol. 40. 4. Midrash Kohelet, fol. 62. 4. & 77. 1. Juchasin, fol. 41. 1.

Mateo 4:21 In-Context

19 Y les dice: Venid en pos de mí, y os haré pescadores de hombres

20 Ellos entonces, dejando luego las redes, le siguieron

21 Y pasando de allí vio otros dos hermanos, Jacobo, hijo de Zebedeo, y Juan su hermano, en el barco con Zebedeo, su padre, que remendaban sus redes; y los llamó

22 Y ellos, dejando luego el barco y a su padre, le siguieron

23 Y rodeó Jesús toda Galilea, enseñando en las sinagogas de ellos, y predicando el Evangelio del Reino, y sanando toda enfermedad y toda flaqueza en el pueblo