Matthew 4:20 Commentary and Bible Study

As Aalders says, ‘Their readiness to follow Jesus immediately would be incomprehensible had they known nothing about Him’, nevertheless Matthew draws attention to the decisiveness of this step. This was a huge change in their lives. In their case they understood that Christ was calling them to leave behind their former occupation and to now follow him as full-time disciples. Not every disciple was required to give up secular employment in this way; for them, this was a call that was going to leading to apostleship. But they so esteemed the one who had called them, and they so wanted to be with him, to see his power at work, and to hear his life-giving message, that they were ready to sacrifice all that they knew and were familiar with. Each one saw the great gain that would come from obedience. They had caught sight of a treasure in heaven for which they were willing to forsake the world. That treasure had come down to earth and was standing in their presence. Regardless of what others could see, and regardless of the evaluation of the crowds, God had spoken to their hearts and they were sure of what they had found, and would not let go of what they had now taken hold of. Nor was that treasure all future, for they anticipated that new wonders would dawn on their minds by being with Christ day by day. The thought of going back to their work as fisherman when such an opportunity was before them was out of the question. They therefore left their nets, the tools of their trade and the work that went with it, and they followed him. Where would this lead? Christ would decide that, and they trusted him. But the promise of being made fishers of men was great encouragement. The fisherman looks on his catch and rejoices that he has taken from the sea food for the table. The fisher of men rejoices far more that God has given him a role in bringing in such an abundant catch of souls that can never be lost.