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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Matthew 4:20 And at once they left their nets and followed Him.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/4-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/40_Mat_04_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 4:20 - The First Disciples" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And at once they left their nets and followed Him." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script 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frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/matthew/4-19.htm" title="Matthew 4:19">◄</a> Matthew 4:20 <a href="/matthew/4-21.htm" title="Matthew 4:21">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/matthew/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/matthew/4.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />At once they left their nets and followed him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/matthew/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />And they left their nets at once and followed him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/matthew/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Immediately they left their nets and followed him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/matthew/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />And at once they left their nets and followed Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And immediately having left the nets, they followed Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/matthew/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And they straightway left <i>their</i> nets, and followed him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/matthew/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />They immediately left <i>their</i> nets and followed Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/matthew/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/matthew/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/matthew/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And they immediately left the nets, and followed Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/matthew/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And immediately they left their nets and followed Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/matthew/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Immediately they left their nets and followed Him [becoming His disciples, believing and trusting in Him and following His example].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/matthew/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Immediately they left their nets and followed him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/matthew/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/matthew/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And they straightway left the nets, and followed him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/matthew/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Right then the two brothers dropped their nets and went with him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/matthew/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And they straightway left the nets, and followed him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/matthew/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />They immediately left their nets and followed him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/matthew/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />At once they left their nets and went with him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/matthew/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />So at once they left their nets and followed him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/matthew/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />And at once they left their nets and followed Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/matthew/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />They left their nets immediately and followed him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/matthew/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And they immediately left their nets and followed him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/matthew/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And they immediately left their nets, and followed him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />So they immediately left their nets and followed Him. As He went further on,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/matthew/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They immediately left their nets and followed him. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/matthew/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and they, immediately, having left the nets, followed Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And immediately having left the nets, they followed Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/matthew/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and they, immediately, having left the nets, did follow him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/matthew/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And they instantly having let go their nets, followed him.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/matthew/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And they immediately leaving their nets, followed him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/matthew/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And at once, leaving behind their nets, they followed him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/matthew/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />At once they left their nets and followed him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/matthew/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Immediately they left their nets and followed him.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/matthew/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />So they immediately left their nets and went after him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/4.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />And at once they left their net and they went after him.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/matthew/4.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />And they immediately left their nets and followed him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/matthew/4.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />And immediately, having left their nets, they followed Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/matthew/4.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />Then immediately quitting their nets they followed him.<CM><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/matthew/4.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />so they immediately left their nets, and followed him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />So they immediately left their nets and followed Him. As He went further on,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/matthew/4.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />And, immediately leaving their nets, they followed Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/matthew/4.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />and they immediately left their nets, and followed Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/matthew/4-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=761" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/matthew/4.htm">The First Disciples</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">19</span>“Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” <span class="reftext">20</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hoi (Art-NMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">And</a> <a href="/greek/2112.htm" title="2112: eutheōs (Adv) -- Immediately, soon, at once. Adverb from euthus; directly, i.e. At once or soon.">at once</a> <a href="/greek/863.htm" title="863: aphentes (V-APA-NMP) -- From apo and hiemi; to send forth, in various applications.">they left</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ta (Art-ANP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">their</a> <a href="/greek/1350.htm" title="1350: diktya (N-ANP) -- A fishing-net. Probably from a primary verb diko; a seine.">nets</a> <a href="/greek/190.htm" title="190: ēkolouthēsan (V-AIA-3P) -- To accompany, attend, follow. Properly, to be in the same way with, i.e. To accompany.">and followed</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autō (PPro-DM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">Him.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">21</span>Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. Jesus called them,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/1-18.htm">Mark 1:18</a></span><br />And at once they left their nets and followed Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/5-11.htm">Luke 5:11</a></span><br />And when they had brought their boats ashore, they left everything and followed Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/19-27.htm">Matthew 19:27</a></span><br />“Look,” Peter replied, “we have left everything to follow You. What then will there be for us?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-37.htm">John 1:37-39</a></span><br />And when the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. / Jesus turned and saw them following. “What do you want?” He asked. They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are You staying?” / “Come and see,” He replied. So they went and saw where He was staying, and spent that day with Him. It was about the tenth hour.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/21-15.htm">John 21:15-17</a></span><br />When they had finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus replied, “Feed My lambs.” / Jesus asked a second time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus told him, “Shepherd My sheep.” / Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was deeply hurt that Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you love Me?” “Lord, You know all things,” he replied. “You know I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/9-20.htm">Acts 9:20</a></span><br />Saul promptly began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, declaring, “He is the Son of God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/22-10.htm">Acts 22:10</a></span><br />Then I asked, ‘What should I do, Lord?’ ‘Get up and go into Damascus,’ He told me. ‘There you will be told all that you have been appointed to do.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-8.htm">Hebrews 11:8</a></span><br />By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, without knowing where he was going.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/19-19.htm">1 Kings 19:19-21</a></span><br />So Elijah departed and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve teams of oxen, and he was with the twelfth team. Elijah passed by him and threw his cloak around him. / So Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Please let me kiss my father and mother goodbye, and then I will follow you.” “Go on back,” Elijah replied, “for what have I done to you?” / So Elisha turned back from him, took his pair of oxen, and slaughtered them. Using the oxen’s equipment for fuel, he cooked the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow and serve Elijah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/12-1.htm">Genesis 12:1-4</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Abram, “Leave your country, your kindred, and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you. / I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. / I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/3-10.htm">Exodus 3:10-12</a></span><br />Therefore, go! I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring My people the Israelites out of Egypt.” / But Moses asked God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” / “I will surely be with you,” God said, “and this will be the sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, all of you will worship God on this mountain.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/6-8.htm">Isaiah 6:8</a></span><br />Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying: “Whom shall I send? Who will go for Us?” And I said: “Here am I. Send me!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/1-4.htm">Jeremiah 1:4-7</a></span><br />The word of the LORD came to me, saying: / “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” / “Ah, Lord GOD,” I said, “I surely do not know how to speak, for I am only a child!” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/2-3.htm">Ezekiel 2:3-5</a></span><br />“Son of man,” He said to me, “I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against Me. To this very day they and their fathers have rebelled against Me. / They are obstinate and stubborn children. I am sending you to them, and you are to say to them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says.’ / And whether they listen or refuse to listen—for they are a rebellious house—they will know that a prophet has been among them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jonah/3-3.htm">Jonah 3:3</a></span><br />This time Jonah got up and went to Nineveh, in accordance with the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, requiring a three-day journey.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/10-37.htm">Matthew 10:37</a></b></br> He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/19-27.htm">Matthew 19:27</a></b></br> Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/19-21.htm">1 Kings 19:21</a></b></br> And he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/4-19.htm">Follow</a> <a href="/malachi/3-14.htm">Followed</a> <a href="/malachi/2-13.htm">Further</a> <a href="/matthew/3-16.htm">Immediately</a> <a href="/ezekiel/47-10.htm">Nets</a> <a href="/matthew/4-11.htm">Once</a> <a href="/matthew/3-16.htm">Straight</a> <a href="/matthew/3-16.htm">Straightway</a> <a href="/mark/1-19.htm">Trawl-Nets</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/4-22.htm">Follow</a> <a href="/matthew/4-22.htm">Followed</a> <a href="/matthew/26-39.htm">Further</a> <a href="/matthew/4-22.htm">Immediately</a> <a href="/matthew/4-21.htm">Nets</a> <a href="/matthew/4-22.htm">Once</a> <a href="/matthew/4-22.htm">Straight</a> <a href="/matthew/4-22.htm">Straightway</a> <a href="/mark/1-18.htm">Trawl-Nets</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 4</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/4-1.htm">Jesus, fasting forty days, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/4-3.htm">is tempted by the devil and ministered unto by angels.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/4-12.htm">He dwells in Capernaum;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/4-17.htm">begins to preach;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/4-18.htm">calls Peter and Andrew,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/4-21.htm">James and John;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/4-23.htm">teaches and heals all the diseased.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>And at once</b><br>The immediacy of the disciples' response highlights their readiness and willingness to follow Jesus without hesitation. This reflects the urgency and authority of Jesus' call. In the cultural context of first-century Judaism, a rabbi's call to follow was a significant invitation, often requiring a decisive and immediate response. The phrase "at once" underscores the disciples' recognition of Jesus' authority and their commitment to His mission.<p><b>they left their nets</b><br>The nets symbolize the disciples' livelihood and their previous way of life as fishermen. By leaving their nets, they are abandoning their former occupation and security to embrace a new identity and purpose. This act of leaving behind their nets can be seen as a metaphor for repentance and the renunciation of worldly attachments. It echoes the call to leave behind the old self and embrace a new life in Christ, as seen in passages like <a href="/2_corinthians/5-17.htm">2 Corinthians 5:17</a>.<p><b>and followed Him</b><br>Following Jesus implies discipleship, which involves learning from Him, imitating His life, and participating in His mission. This phrase indicates a personal commitment to Jesus, prioritizing His teachings and example above all else. The act of following is not just physical but spiritual, signifying a transformation of heart and mind. This call to follow is consistent with the broader biblical theme of God calling individuals to a covenant relationship, as seen in the call of Abraham in <a href="/genesis/12.htm">Genesis 12:1-4</a> and the call of the prophets. The disciples' response foreshadows the Great Commission in <a href="/matthew/28-19.htm">Matthew 28:19-20</a>, where Jesus commands His followers to make disciples of all nations.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a></b><br>The central figure in this passage, Jesus is beginning His public ministry and calling His first disciples.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/s/simon_peter_and_andrew.htm">Simon Peter and Andrew</a></b><br>Brothers and fishermen by trade, they are the first disciples called by Jesus in this passage.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/sea_of_galilee.htm">Sea of Galilee</a></b><br>The location where Jesus calls Simon Peter and Andrew, a significant place for Jesus' ministry.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_calling_of_the_disciples.htm">The Calling of the Disciples</a></b><br>This event marks the beginning of Jesus' gathering of His followers, who will later become the apostles.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/i/immediate_obedience.htm">Immediate Obedience</a></b><br>The phrase "at once" emphasizes the urgency and willingness with which Simon Peter and Andrew responded to Jesus' call. As believers, we are encouraged to respond promptly to God's calling in our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/leaving_behind.htm">Leaving Behind</a></b><br>The act of leaving their nets symbolizes a departure from their old life and security. This teaches us about the cost of discipleship and the need to prioritize our relationship with Christ over worldly attachments.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_action.htm">Faith in Action</a></b><br>By following Jesus without hesitation, Simon Peter and Andrew demonstrate faith in action. This challenges us to trust in God's plan, even when it requires stepping into the unknown.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_follow.htm">The Call to Follow</a></b><br>Jesus' call to "follow Me" is a personal invitation to a relationship with Him. It reminds us that discipleship is not just about belief but involves a commitment to walk in His ways.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 4</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_peter's_experiences_shape_him.htm">How did Peter's life experiences shape his character?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_andrew_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Andrew in the Bible and his role?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_zebedee_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Zebedee in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/where_did_jesus_meet_peter_and_andrew.htm">Where did Jesus first meet Simon Peter and Andrew? By the sea of Galilee (Matthew 4:18-22) On the banks of river Jordan (John 1:42). After that, Jesus decided to go to Galilee (John 1:43)</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 20.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And they straightway left their nets.</span> (For their leaving everything Wetstein, on ver. 19, compares Epictetus, 12, <span class="greek">Ἐάν δὲ</span> <span class="greek">κυβερνήτης καλέσῃ τρέχε ἐπὶ τὸ πλοῖον ἀφεὶς</span> <span class="greek">ἐκεῖνα πάντα μηδὲν ἐπιστρεφόμενος</span>, "If the steersman call, run to the ship, leaving all those things, without regarding anything.") The Rheims Version, with its love of archaisms, has, "But they <span class="accented">incontinent</span>, leaving the nettes, followed him." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/matthew/4-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">And</span><br /><span class="grk">δὲ</span> <span class="translit">(de)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary particle; but, and, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">at once</span><br /><span class="grk">εὐθέως</span> <span class="translit">(eutheōs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2112.htm">Strong's 2112: </a> </span><span class="str2">Immediately, soon, at once. Adverb from euthus; directly, i.e. At once or soon.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they left</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀφέντες</span> <span class="translit">(aphentes)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_863.htm">Strong's 863: </a> </span><span class="str2">From apo and hiemi; to send forth, in various applications.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[their]</span><br /><span class="grk">τὰ</span> <span class="translit">(ta)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Accusative Neuter Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">nets</span><br /><span class="grk">δίκτυα</span> <span class="translit">(diktya)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1350.htm">Strong's 1350: </a> </span><span class="str2">A fishing-net. Probably from a primary verb diko; a seine.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[and] followed</span><br /><span class="grk">ἠκολούθησαν</span> <span class="translit">(ēkolouthēsan)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_190.htm">Strong's 190: </a> </span><span class="str2">To accompany, attend, follow. Properly, to be in the same way with, i.e. To accompany.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Him.</span><br /><span class="grk">αὐτῷ</span> <span class="translit">(autō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/4-20.htm">Matthew 4:20 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/matthew/4-20.htm">Matthew 4:20 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/matthew/4-20.htm">Matthew 4:20 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/matthew/4-20.htm">Matthew 4:20 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/matthew/4-20.htm">Matthew 4:20 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/4-20.htm">Matthew 4:20 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/4-20.htm">Matthew 4:20 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/4-20.htm">Matthew 4:20 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/4-20.htm">Matthew 4:20 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/matthew/4-20.htm">Matthew 4:20 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/matthew/4-20.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 4:20 They immediately left their nets and followed (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/4-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 4:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 4:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/4-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 4:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 4:21" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>