Matthew 4:22

Matthew 4:22, in plain English

Immediately, they left the boat and their father and followed Jesus. They didn't just leave their jobs; they left their family business and their father sitting right there.

Why it's here

This was a bigger sacrifice than it might seem. Walking away from your father's business in that culture was an enormous, countercultural decision.

Who's speaking

Matthew describes James and John's immediate response.

Where it sits in the story

Following Jesus costs something. For these brothers, it cost comfort, security, and family expectations. And they went willingly.

The scholarly reading

James and John leave both their occupation (the boat) and their family (their father Zebedee), signaling an even more radical departure than Peter and Andrew's. This anticipates Jesus's later teaching about the cost of discipleship (10:37).

Language and setting

In honor-shame culture, leaving one's father was deeply countercultural. Filial duty was among the highest social obligations, making their immediate departure remarkable.

Voice

Matthew, narrating James and John's response.

Significance

The second pair of disciples demonstrates the same radical obedience, establishing a pattern: following Jesus requires reordering every priority.

20And at once they left their nets and followed Him.

21Going 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,

22and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed Him.

23Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.

24News about Him spread all over Syria, and people brought to Him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering acute pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and He healed them.

Read all of Matthew 4 — Forty days of hunger, three devastating temptations, and the devil's best offer — Jesus refuses every shortcut to power.