Matthew 4:20 (KJV)

What does Matthew 4:20 mean?

Matthew 4:20 describes how Simon Peter and Andrew, upon hearing Jesus call them, immediately left their fishing nets behind and began to follow him. This verse highlights their instant and wholehearted response to Jesus’s invitation, showing a willingness to leave their work and former life.

In this scene, Jesus is walking by the Sea of Galilee and calls two fishermen, Simon Peter and Andrew, to follow him and become "fishers of men." The verse emphasizes the speed and decisiveness of their action—they do not hesitate or ask questions, but leave their nets at once. This moment marks the beginning of their journey as Jesus’s disciples.

The Greek behind Matthew 4:20

• εὐθέως (eutheōs, transliterated as "straightway"): This word means "immediately" or "at once." Its use here stresses that Peter and Andrew did not delay or weigh their options, but responded to Jesus’s call without hesitation.
• ἀφέντες (aphentes, transliterated as "left"): This word often carries the sense of letting go or abandoning something. In this context, it highlights that the disciples left behind not just their tools, but their livelihood and security.
• ἠκολούθησαν (ēkolouthēsan, transliterated as "followed"): This word means to go after someone, often with the sense of becoming a disciple or adherent. Here, it points to a deliberate choice to join Jesus and learn from him.

Why Matthew 4:20 matters

• Matthew 4:20 clears up the idea that following Jesus was a gradual or hesitant decision for the first disciples; the verse shows it was immediate and total.
• The verse highlights the cost and commitment involved in discipleship, as Peter and Andrew leave behind their familiar work and way of life.
• This moment connects to the wider passage by showing the beginning of Jesus’s ministry and the calling of his first followers, setting the tone for the rest of the Gospel.