New International Version“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”
New Living TranslationJesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!”
English Standard VersionAnd he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Berean Standard Bible“Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”
Berean Literal BibleAnd He says to them, "Come follow after Me, and I will make you fishers of men."
King James BibleAnd he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
New King James VersionThen He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
New American Standard BibleAnd He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of people.”
NASB 1995And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
NASB 1977And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Legacy Standard BibleAnd He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Amplified BibleAnd 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.”
Christian Standard Bible“Follow me,” he told them, “and I will make you fish for people.”
Holman Christian Standard Bible“Follow Me,” He told them, “and I will make you fish for people!”
American Standard VersionAnd he saith unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you fishers of men.
Contemporary English VersionJesus said to them, "Follow me! I will teach you how to bring in people instead of fish."
English Revised VersionAnd he saith unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you fishers of men.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationJesus said to them, "Come, follow me! I will teach you how to catch people instead of fish."
Good News TranslationJesus said to them, "Come with me, and I will teach you to catch people."
International Standard Version"Follow me," he told them, "and I will make you fishers of people!"
NET BibleHe said to them, "Follow me, and I will turn you into fishers of people."
New Heart English BibleAnd he said to them, "Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of people."
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd he saith to them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
Weymouth New TestamentAnd He said to them, "Come and follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bible“Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”
World English BibleHe said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers for men.” Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand He says to them, “Come after Me, and I will make you fishers of men,”
Berean Literal BibleAnd He says to them, "Come follow after Me, and I will make you fishers of men."
Young's Literal Translation and he saith to them, 'Come ye after me, and I will make you fishers of men,'
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd he says to them, Come after me, and I will make you the fishermen of men. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd he saith to them: Come ye after me, and I will make you to be fishers of men.
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd he said to them: “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
New American BibleHe said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
New Revised Standard VersionAnd he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Jesus said to them, Come after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.
Aramaic Bible in Plain EnglishAnd Yeshua said to them, “Come after me, and I shall make you to become fishers of men.” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentAnd he said to them: Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.
Godbey New TestamentAnd He says to them, Follow after me, and I will make you fishers of men.
Haweis New Testament And he saith to them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
Mace New Testament and he said to them, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men:
Weymouth New Testament And He said to them, "Come and follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."
Worrell New Testament And He saith to them,"Come after Me, and I will make you fishers of men."
Worsley New Testament and He saith unto them,Come with me, and I will make you fishers of men:
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The First Disciples18As 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. 19“Come, followMe,”Jesus said,“andI will makeyoufishersof men.”20And at once they left their nets and followed Him.…
Cross References Mark 1:17“Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”
Luke 5:10and 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.”
John 21:15-17When 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.
John 1:40-42Andrew, 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).
Acts 1:8But 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.”
Matthew 28:19-20Therefore 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.”
John 15:16You 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.
1 Peter 2:9But 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.
Acts 2:38-41Peter 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.” ...
2 Timothy 2:2And 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.
Jeremiah 16:16But 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.
Ezekiel 47:9-10Wherever 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.
Isaiah 6:8Then 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!”
Proverbs 11:30The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.
Daniel 12:3Then 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.
Treasury of Scripture And he said to them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. Follow. Matthew 8:22 But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead. Matthew 9:9 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. Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If anyman will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. I will. Ezekiel 47:9,10 And it shall come to pass,that 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… Mark 1:17,18 And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men… Luke 5:10,11 And sowas 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… Jump to Previous FishersFollowJesusJump to Next FishersFollowJesusMatthew 4 1.Jesus, fasting forty days,3.is tempted by the devil and ministered unto by angels.12.He dwells in Capernaum;17.begins to preach;18.calls Peter and Andrew,21.James and John;23.teaches and heals all the diseased.“Come, follow Me,”This invitation from Jesus is a direct call to discipleship. In the cultural context of first-century Judaism, rabbis would often have disciples who followed them to learn their teachings and way of life. Jesus, however, calls His disciples with authority, indicating His unique role as the Messiah. The call to "come" implies leaving behind one's previous life and priorities to embrace a new path. This phrase echoes the call of God to Abraham in Genesis 12:1, where God calls Abraham to leave his country and follow Him to a land He will show him. It signifies a personal relationship and commitment to Jesus, who is the ultimate teacher and leader. Jesus said, The authority of Jesus is central here. Unlike other rabbis who might rely on the authority of the Torah or tradition, Jesus speaks with His own authority. This is consistent with the portrayal of Jesus throughout the Gospels, where He often prefaces His teachings with "Truly, I say to you," emphasizing His divine authority. This phrase also highlights the personal nature of the call; it is Jesus Himself who invites the disciples, not through intermediaries or written commands. “and I will make you fishers of men.” This metaphorical promise connects directly to the occupation of the first disciples, who were fishermen by trade. Jesus uses their familiar context to illustrate their new mission. The phrase "fishers of men" suggests evangelism and the gathering of people into the kingdom of God. In the Old Testament, fishing imagery is sometimes used in a context of judgment (e.g.,Jeremiah 16:16), but here it is transformed into a mission of salvation. This transformation is a type of Christ's redemptive work, taking what is ordinary and making it extraordinary for His purposes. The promise "I will make you" indicates that the ability to fulfill this mission comes from Jesus Himself, not from the disciples' own skills or efforts. This aligns with the broader biblical theme that God equips those He calls, as seen in the lives of Moses, David, and the prophets. Persons / Places / Events 1. Jesus ChristThe central figure in this passage, Jesus is calling His first disciples. He is the Son of God, the Messiah, and the teacher who invites others to follow Him. 2. Simon Peter and AndrewThe brothers who are the first to be called by Jesus in this passage. They are fishermen by trade, which Jesus uses as a metaphor for their new mission. 3. Sea of GalileeThe location where Jesus calls His first disciples. It is a significant place in Jesus' ministry, often serving as a backdrop for His teachings and miracles. 4. Calling of the DisciplesThis event marks the beginning of Jesus' public ministry and the formation of His group of followers who will learn from Him and continue His work. 5. FishingA metaphor used by Jesus to describe the new mission of His disciples. It signifies the act of bringing people into the Kingdom of God. Teaching Points The Call to FollowJesus' invitation to "Follow Me" is a personal call to each believer. It requires a willingness to leave behind old ways and embrace a new life in Christ. Transformation of PurposeJesus promises to transform His followers into "fishers of men." This signifies a shift from self-centered pursuits to a mission-centered life focused on evangelism and discipleship. Immediate ObedienceThe response of Simon and Andrew to immediately follow Jesus serves as a model for our own obedience to His call. Delayed obedience can hinder our spiritual growth and effectiveness. Evangelism as a LifestyleBeing "fishers of men" is not just an activity but a lifestyle. It involves living in a way that naturally draws others to Christ through our words and actions. Dependence on JesusThe success of the disciples' mission depends on their relationship with Jesus. As we follow Him, He equips and empowers us for the work He has called us to do. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Matthew 4:19?
2.How can we actively follow Jesus' call to "Follow Me" in daily life?
3.What does it mean to be "fishers of men" in today's world?
4.How does Matthew 4:19 connect with the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20?
5.What steps can we take to prioritize discipleship in our communities?
6.How can we encourage others to embrace their role as "fishers of men"?
7.What does "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men" mean in Matthew 4:19?
8.How does Matthew 4:19 relate to the concept of discipleship in Christianity?
9.Why did Jesus choose fishermen as His first disciples in Matthew 4:19?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Matthew 4?
11.Is King Abgar's letter to Jesus historically verified?
12.How can we become fishers of men today?
13.What distinguishes a disciple from an apostle?
14.How do I listen to God's guidance?What Does Matthew 4:19 Mean Come• Jesus takes the first step, inviting ordinary people into His presence (John 15:16). • Like God’s call to Abram—“Go from your country…” (Genesis 12:1)—this summons requires a decisive break from the past. • The open invitation echoes throughout Scripture: “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’” (Revelation 22:17). • His call is gracious; no prerequisites, just willingness to respond. follow Me• Discipleship is personal—it is Jesus Himself we follow, not a program (John 10:27). • Following implies: – Direction: He sets the path (John 12:26). – Devotion: “If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself” (Luke 9:23). – Dependence: Remaining close, as sheep with their shepherd (Psalm 23:1). • True followers align their lives with His example (1 Peter 2:21). Jesus said• The authority behind the call rests on the Speaker: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me” (Matthew 28:18). • His words are life-giving; Peter confessed, “You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). • God now speaks “through His Son” (Hebrews 1:2), so obedience to Christ equals obedience to God. and I will make you• Transformation is His work—He doesn’t merely command; He equips (Philippians 1:6). • “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17). • Our role is surrender; His role is shaping us into purposeful vessels (Ephesians 2:10). • This promise assures that effectiveness flows from His power, not our skill. fishers of men• The new identity involves mission: reaching people with the gospel (Matthew 28:19-20). • Imagery of fishing highlights: – Intention: casting the net widely (Acts 1:8). – Patience and persistence (2 Timothy 4:2). – Compassion: rescuing souls from danger (Proverbs 11:30). • Every disciple becomes an ambassador, drawing others to the Savior (2 Corinthians 5:20). summaryJesus initiates the relationship (“Come”), calls for wholehearted discipleship (“follow Me”), speaks with divine authority (“Jesus said”), promises Spirit-empowered transformation (“I will make you”), and assigns a clear mission (“fishers of men”). Responding to this call means leaving self-directed living, cleaving to Christ, and living on purpose so others may be brought into His kingdom. (19) Follow me.--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 ( Matthew 13:47). It suggested a whole circle of thoughts. The sea is the troubled and evil world ( Isaiah 57:20), 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 ( Jeremiah 16:16), 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:-- "Fisher of men, the blest, Out of the world's unrest, Out of sin's troubled sea Taking us, Lord, to Thee; Out of the waves of strife, . . . Verse 19. - Follow me; come ye after me (Revised Version); δεῦτε ὀπίσω μου. There is no thought of continuous following from place to place ( ἀκολουθεῖν) , but of immediate detachment from the present sphere of their interest and of attachment to Jesus as their leader. And I will make you fishers of men; Mark, "to become fishers of men," laying more stress on the change in their character necessary for success in this new kind of fishing. Luke 5:10 brings out the change in the nature of the work( ἀπὸ τοῦ νῦν). Fishers. 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 Luke 5:10, where notice: (1) It is connected with the miracle of the draught of fishes. (2) It is not verbally identical with this:Μὴ φοβοῦ ἀπὸ τοῦ νῦν ἀνθρώπουςἔσῃ ζωγρῶν. (3) The words are addressed individually to Simon.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek “Come, followΔεῦτε(Deute)Verb - Imperative - 2nd Person Plural Strong's 1205:Come hither, come, hither, an exclamatory word. From deuro and an imperative form of eimi; come hither!Me,”μου(mou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular Strong's 1473:I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.[Jesus] said,λέγει(legei)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 3004:(a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.“andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.I will makeποιήσω(poiēsō)Verb - Future Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular Strong's 4160:(a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.youὑμᾶς(hymas)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.fishersἁλιεῖς(halieis)Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural Strong's 231:A fisherman. From hals; a sailor, i.e. a fisher.of men.”ἀνθρώπων(anthrōpōn)Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural Strong's 444:A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.
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NT Gospels: Matthew 4:19 He said to them Come after me (Matt. Mat Mt) |