Deep Dive

Matthew 4:19

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“Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”

Commentaries

Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brownv. 19

And he saith unto them, Follow me--rather, as the same expression is rendered in Mark, "Come ye after Me" (Mar 1:17). and I will make you fishers of men--raising them from a lower to a higher fishing, as David was from a lower to a higher feeding (Psa 78:70-72).

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Matthew Henry Bible Commentaryv. 19

John Baptist said concerning Christ, He must increase, but I must decrease; and so it proved. For, after John had baptized Christ, and borne his testimony to him, we hear little more of his ministry; he had done what he came to do, and thenceforward there is as much talk of Jesus as ever there had been of John. As the rising Sun advances, the morning star disappears. Concerning Jesus Christ we have in this chapter, I. The temptation he underwent, the triple assault the tempter made upon him, and the repulse he gave to each assault (Mat 4:1-11). II. The teaching work he undertook, the places he preached in (Mat 4:12-16), and the subject he preached on (Mat 4:17). III. His calling of disciples, Peter and Andrew, James and John (Mat 4:18-22). IV. His curing diseases (Mat 4:23, Mat 4:24), and the great resort of the people to him, both to be taught and to be healed.

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Tyndale Open Study Notesv. 19

4:19 Come, follow me: This involved accepting the beliefs and lifestyle of a master as one’s own (16:24; Deut 5:33; 1 Kgs 19:19-21). • fish for people: The disciples would participate in the saving and judging work of the Kingdom (see Matt 10:5-15; 13:47-51; Ezek 29:4-5; Amos 4:2).

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