Matthew 4:21 Commentary and Bible Study

We have no evidence that James had already been with Christ, his name is not mentioned in John’s account of the handover of John the Baptist’s disciples to the Lord, but we believe John the apostle was there at the Jordan. John does not mention himself by name, but this is characteristic of him throughout his Gospel (John 21:24). He is almost certainly the other of the two disciples with John the Baptist when he says ‘Behold the Lamb of God’ (John 1:35-36), the one who is named being Andrew. Peter, Andrew and John had therefore already been away from their fishing business for extensive periods of time, and the family certainly knew of their zeal for the things of God. Here they are back in Galilee returned to their work as fishermen. Luke says that the two families were partners in what must have been quite a business (Luke 5:7), for it already required hired servants even before Christ called the brothers (Mark 1:20). Christ calls them to follow him and without hesitation they do so, giving up all for his sake. Zebedee must lose his two sons to a higher calling and no doubt gladly does so. He is not left without workers, for the servants remain with him in the boat.