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Matthew 4:19 "Come, follow Me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."
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id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/matthew/4-18.htm" title="Matthew 4:18">◄</a> Matthew 4:19 <a href="/matthew/4-20.htm" title="Matthew 4:20">►</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="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comment </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 />“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/matthew/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/matthew/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/matthew/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And He says to them, "Come follow after Me, and I will make you fishers of men."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/matthew/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/matthew/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/matthew/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of people.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/matthew/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/matthew/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/matthew/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/matthew/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And He said to them, “Follow Me [as My disciples, accepting Me as your Master and Teacher and walking the same path of life that I walk], and I will make you fishers of men.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/matthew/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Follow me,” he told them, “and I will make you fish for people.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/matthew/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Follow Me,” He told them, “and I will make you fish for people!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/matthew/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And he saith unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you fishers of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/matthew/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Jesus said to them, "Follow me! I will teach you how to bring in people instead of fish." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/matthew/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And he saith unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you fishers of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/matthew/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Jesus said to them, "Come, follow me! I will teach you how to catch people instead of fish."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/matthew/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Jesus said to them, "Come with me, and I will teach you to catch people." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/matthew/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Follow me," he told them, "and I will make you fishers of people!" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/matthew/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/matthew/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />He said to them, "Follow me, and I will turn you into fishers of people."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/matthew/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And he said to them, "Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of people."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/matthew/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And he saith to them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />And He said to them, "Come and follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/matthew/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers for men.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/matthew/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and He says to them, “Come after Me, and I will make you fishers of men,”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And He says to them, "Come follow after Me, and I will make you fishers of men."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/matthew/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and he saith to them, 'Come ye after me, and I will make you fishers of men,'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/matthew/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he says to them, Come after me, and I will make you the fishermen of men.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/matthew/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And he saith to them: Come ye after me, and I will make you to be fishers of men. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/matthew/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And he said to them: “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/matthew/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/matthew/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/matthew/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Jesus said to them, Come after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.<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 Yeshua said to them, “Come after me, and I shall make you to become fishers of men.”<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/matthew/4.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />And he said to them: Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/matthew/4.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />And He says to them, <FR>Follow after me, and I will make you fishers of men.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/matthew/4.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />And he saith to them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/matthew/4.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />and he said to them, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />And He said to them, "Come and follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/matthew/4.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />And He saith to them, <FR>"Come after Me, and I will make you fishers of men."<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/matthew/4.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />and He saith unto them, <FR>Come with me, and I will make you fishers of men:<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/matthew/4-19.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=753" 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">18</span>As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. <span class="reftext">19</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1205.htm" title="1205: Deute (V-M-2P) -- Come hither, come, hither, an exclamatory word. From deuro and an imperative form of eimi; come hither!">“Come, follow</a> <a href="/greek/3694.htm" title="3694: opisō (Prep) -- Behind, after; back, backwards. From the same as opisthen with enclitic of direction; to the back, i.e. Aback."></a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: mou (PPro-G1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">Me,” </a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legei (V-PIA-3S) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">Jesus said,</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autois (PPro-DM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons."></a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">“and</a> <a href="/greek/4160.htm" title="4160: poiēsō (V-FIA-1S) -- (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.">I will make</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymas (PPro-A2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">you</a> <a href="/greek/231.htm" title="231: halieis (N-AMP) -- A fisherman. From hals; a sailor, i.e. a fisher.">fishers</a> <a href="/greek/444.htm" title="444: anthrōpōn (N-GMP) -- A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.">of men.” </a> </span> <span class="reftext">20</span>And at once they left their nets and followed Him.…<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/1-17.htm">Mark 1:17</a></span><br />“Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/5-10.htm">Luke 5:10</a></span><br />and so were his partners James and John, the sons of Zebedee. “Do not be afraid,” Jesus said to Simon. “From now on you will catch men.”<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="/john/1-40.htm">John 1:40-42</a></span><br />Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard John’s testimony and followed Jesus. / He first found his brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated as Christ). / Andrew brought him to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which is translated as Peter).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/1-8.htm">Acts 1:8</a></span><br />But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/28-19.htm">Matthew 28:19-20</a></span><br />Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, / and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/15-16.htm">John 15:16</a></span><br />You did not choose Me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will remain—so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/2-9.htm">1 Peter 2:9</a></span><br />But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/2-38.htm">Acts 2:38-41</a></span><br />Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. / This promise belongs to you and your children and to all who are far off—to all whom the Lord our God will call to Himself.” / With many other words he testified, and he urged them, “Be saved from this corrupt generation.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/2-2.htm">2 Timothy 2:2</a></span><br />And the things that you have heard me say among many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be qualified to teach others as well.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/16-16.htm">Jeremiah 16:16</a></span><br />But for now I will send for many fishermen, declares the LORD, and they will catch them. After that I will send for many hunters, and they will hunt them down on every mountain and hill, even from the clefts of the rocks.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/47-9.htm">Ezekiel 47:9-10</a></span><br />Wherever the river flows, there will be swarms of living creatures and a great number of fish, because it flows there and makes the waters fresh; so wherever the river flows, everything will flourish. / Fishermen will stand by the shore; from En-gedi to En-eglaim they will spread their nets to catch fish of many kinds, like the fish of the Great Sea.<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="/proverbs/11-30.htm">Proverbs 11:30</a></span><br />The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/12-3.htm">Daniel 12:3</a></span><br />Then the wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And he said to them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.</p><p class="hdg">Follow.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/8-22.htm">Matthew 8:22</a></b></br> But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/9-9.htm">Matthew 9:9</a></b></br> And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/16-24.htm">Matthew 16:24</a></b></br> Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any <i>man</i> will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.</p><p class="hdg">I will.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/47-9.htm">Ezekiel 47:9,10</a></b></br> And it shall come to pass, <i>that</i> every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/mark/1-17.htm">Mark 1:17,18</a></b></br> And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/5-10.htm">Luke 5:10,11</a></b></br> And so <i>was</i> also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/4-18.htm">Fishers</a> <a href="/zechariah/3-7.htm">Follow</a> <a href="/matthew/4-18.htm">Jesus</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/mark/1-16.htm">Fishers</a> <a href="/matthew/4-20.htm">Follow</a> <a href="/matthew/4-21.htm">Jesus</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 /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "ca-pub-3753401421161123"; /* 200 x 200 Parallel Bible */ google_ad_slot = "7676643937"; google_ad_width = 200; google_ad_height = 200; //--> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/matthew/4.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>Follow Me</b><br />This phrase is a direct call from Jesus, inviting Simon Peter and Andrew to become His disciples. The Greek word for "follow" is "ἀκολουθέω" (akoloutheó), which means to accompany or to go along with. In the historical context of first-century Judea, a rabbi's call to "follow" was an invitation to learn, live, and adopt the teachings and lifestyle of the teacher. Jesus, as the ultimate Rabbi, extends this invitation not just to learn from Him but to enter into a transformative relationship. This call is not merely about physical following but a spiritual and lifelong commitment to His teachings and mission.<p><b>and I will make you</b><br />This phrase indicates a promise of transformation and purpose. The Greek word "ποιέω" (poieó) means to make, create, or produce. Jesus is not only calling His disciples to follow Him but also promising to actively work in their lives to change them. This transformation is a divine act, suggesting that the disciples' new identity and mission are not self-generated but are gifts from Jesus Himself. Historically, this reflects the Jewish understanding of God as the Creator, who continues to shape and mold His people.<p><b>fishers of men</b><br />This metaphorical phrase is rich in meaning and context. The Greek word for "fishers" is "ἁλιεύς" (halieus), which literally means fishermen. In the context of the disciples, who were literal fishermen, this phrase signifies a shift from their current occupation to a spiritual vocation. The imagery of fishing for men suggests evangelism and the gathering of people into the Kingdom of God. In the Old Testament, fishing is sometimes used as a metaphor for God's judgment (e.g., <a href="/jeremiah/16-16.htm">Jeremiah 16:16</a>), but here, Jesus redefines it as a mission of salvation and hope. This phrase encapsulates the essence of the Great Commission, where the disciples are called to spread the Gospel and bring others to Christ. The historical context of fishing in the Sea of Galilee, a central part of the local economy, underscores the radical nature of Jesus' call to leave behind their livelihood for a higher purpose.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(19) <span class= "bld">Follow me.</span>--The command came, as we have seen, to those who were not unprepared. Short as it was, it was in some sense the first parable in our Lord's teaching, the germ of an actual parable (<a href="/matthew/13-47.htm" title="Again, the kingdom of heaven is like to a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:">Matthew 13:47</a>). It suggested a whole circle of thoughts. The sea is the troubled and evil world (<a href="/isaiah/57-20.htm" title="But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.">Isaiah 57:20</a>), and the souls of men are the fish that have to be caught and taken from it, and the net is the Church of Christ. The figure had been used before (<a href="/jeremiah/16-16.htm" title="Behold, I will send for many fishers, said the LORD, and they shall fish them; and after will I send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks.">Jeremiah 16:16</a>), but then it had presented its darker aspect, and the "fishers of men" were their captors and enslavers. The earliest extant hymn of the Church, by Clement of Alexandria, dwells on the image with a rich and suggestive playfulness. Christ is thus addressed:--<p>"Fisher of men, the blest,<p>Out of the world's unrest,<p>Out of sin's troubled sea<p>Taking us, Lord, to Thee;<p>Out of the waves of strife, . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 19.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Follow me</span>; come <span class="accented">ye after me</span> (Revised Version); <span class="greek">δεῦτε ὀπίσω μου</span>. There is no thought of continuous following from place to place (<span class="greek">ἀκολουθεῖν</span>) , but of immediate detachment from the present sphere of their interest and of attachment to Jesus as their leader. <span class="cmt_word">And I will make you fishers of men</span>; Mark, "to become fishers of men," laying more stress on the change in their character necessary for success in this new kind of fishing. <a href="/luke/5-10.htm">Luke 5:10</a> brings out the change in the nature of the work(<span class="greek">ἀπὸ τοῦ νῦν</span>). <span class="accented">Fishers.</span> The word suggests care, patience, skill, besides habits of life fitted for endurance of privation and fatigue. The same promise is, as it seems, related in <a href="/luke/5-10.htm">Luke 5:10</a>, where notice: <p><span class="note_emph">(1)</span> It is connected with the miracle of the draught of fishes. <p><span class="note_emph">(2)</span> It is not verbally identical with this: <span class="greek">Μὴ φοβοῦ ἀπὸ τοῦ νῦν ἀνθρώπους</span> <span class="greek">ἔσῃ ζωγρῶν</span>. <p><span class="note_emph">(3)</span> The words are addressed individually to Simon. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/matthew/4-19.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">“Come, follow</span><br /><span class="grk">Δεῦτε</span> <span class="translit">(Deute)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Imperative - 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1205.htm">Strong's 1205: </a> </span><span class="str2">Come hither, come, hither, an exclamatory word. From deuro and an imperative form of eimi; come hither!</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Me,”</span><br /><span class="grk">μου</span> <span class="translit">(mou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> </span><span class="str2">I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[Jesus] said,</span><br /><span class="grk">λέγει</span> <span class="translit">(legei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">“and</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">I will make</span><br /><span class="grk">ποιήσω</span> <span class="translit">(poiēsō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Future Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4160.htm">Strong's 4160: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you</span><br /><span class="grk">ὑμᾶς</span> <span class="translit">(hymas)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> </span><span class="str2">You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">fishers</span><br /><span class="grk">ἁλιεῖς</span> <span class="translit">(halieis)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_231.htm">Strong's 231: </a> </span><span class="str2">A fisherman. From hals; a sailor, i.e. a fisher.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of men.”</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀνθρώπων</span> <span class="translit">(anthrōpōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_444.htm">Strong's 444: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/4-19.htm">Matthew 4:19 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/matthew/4-19.htm">Matthew 4:19 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/matthew/4-19.htm">Matthew 4:19 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/matthew/4-19.htm">Matthew 4:19 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/matthew/4-19.htm">Matthew 4:19 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/4-19.htm">Matthew 4:19 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/4-19.htm">Matthew 4:19 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/4-19.htm">Matthew 4:19 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/4-19.htm">Matthew 4:19 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/matthew/4-19.htm">Matthew 4:19 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/matthew/4-19.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 4:19 He said to them Come after me (Matt. 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