Jesus Calls the First Disciples
Matthew 4:18 “And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.”
sea of Galilee... A fresh-water lake, called also the Sea of Tiberias, Gennesaret and Chinnereth (Luke 5:1; John 21:1; Jos. 12:3; 13:27; Deut. 3:17).
saw two brethren... Jesus had encountered Peter and Andrew before, near Bethabara, in the Jordan region, where Andrew (and perhaps Peter as well) had become a disciple of John the Baptist (John 1:35-42).
Peter was originally named Simon. Jesus surnamed him “Rock” (Greek Petros; Aramaic Cephas). Peter and his brother Andrew were fishermen from Bethsaida on the Sea of Galilee (John 1:44) who later worked out of Capernaum (Mark 1:29).
Andrew his brother... First of Christ’s disciples (John 1:33-42). He returned to his fishing until his call with his brother Peter (Mat. 4:18; Mark 1:17). He became one of the 12 apostles (Mat. 10:2; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:14; Acts 1:13). Mentioned in Mark 1:29; 13:3; John 6:8; 2:22. Tradition says he was of the tribe of Reuben, that he evangelized Scythia (becoming Russia’s patron saint), and that he was stoned and crucified in Greece or Scythia.
They left John to follow Jesus for a time before returning to fishing in Capernaum. Perhaps they had returned to Capernaum during Jesus’ earlier ministry here. Here He called them to follow Him in long-term discipleship.
Andrew, a disciple of John the Baptist, immediately began to follow Jesus on the day John announced Him. At once he introduced Simon to Christ (John 1:35-42). Peter’s devotion to Christ brought him within the innermost circle of disciples. Peter shared in the greatest moments of Christ’s ministry; Peter was always listed first among the Twelve.
Yet Peter’s devotion was at times an impulsive one. Peter’s faith in Christ’s command allowed him to walk on water; and then, after he had walked, his disbelief caused him to sink (14:28-31)! Peter’s sensitivity to God’s witness prompted his great confession that Jesus is “the Christ, the Son of the living God,” only to be followed by words inspired by Satan (16:16-17, 22-23).
Three events during Christ’s earthly ministry were significant to Peter’s life and future ministry:
His confession concerning Christ at Caesarea Philippi (chapter 16);
His involvement at Christ’s transfiguration (chapter 17);
His threefold denial of Christ before the Crucifixion (chapter 26).
After the ascension of Jesus, Peter continues as the leader, opening the door of the gospel to the Jews (Acts 2), to the Samaritans (Acts 8:14-17), and to the Gentiles (Acts 10; 11:1, 18; 15:7, 14). However, his ministry in the early church remained primarily to the Jews.
His summons
Since Jesus is the promised Messiah, He had the right to call men from their normal pursuits of life to follow Him. This was not the first time these men had met Jesus, for the Fourth Gospel relates Jesus’ first meeting with some of the disciples (John 1:35-42).
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