Devine Scripture

Matthew 4:21

What does Matthew 4:21 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 4:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 4:21 means

Moving onward from the first pair, Jesus encountered two more brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They were with their father in a boat, diligently mending their nets, a task crucial for their fishing business. Jesus extended a call to them as well, inviting them to join His burgeoning group of disciples, mirroring His invitation to Simon and Andrew.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And going on from thence he saw two other brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And going on from thence he saw two other brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and John, his brother, in the boat with their father, stitching up their nets; and he said, Come.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And having advanced thence, he saw other two brothers, James of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, refitting their nets, and he called them,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets: and he called them.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And going on thence he saw other two brothers, James the [son] of Zebedee and John his brother, in the ship with Zebedee their father, mending their trawl-nets, and he called them;

Context

This verse immediately follows the calling of Peter and Andrew, demonstrating that Jesus' active recruitment of disciples is continuing. The introduction of James and John and their activity of mending nets establishes their background before Jesus issues His call. This parallel calling reinforces the pattern of humble, working men being chosen to join Jesus' mission.

v.20And they straightway left the nets, and followed him.

v.21This passage

v.22And they straightway left the boat and their father, and followed him.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 17:1

    And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart:

  • Luke 5:10

    and so were also James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.

  • Mark 3:17

    and James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and them he surnamed Boanerges, which is, Sons of thunder:

  • Mark 5:37

    And he suffered no man to follow with him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.

  • John 21:2

    There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.

  • Matthew 10:2

    Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James thesonof Zebedee, and John his brother;

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