Matthew 4:18-25

Picking up from the previous post, Jesus has started his ministry in the first part of Matthew 4, and now needs help with it. In v.18 he is walking along the Sea of Galilee and calls to Simon Peter and his brother Andrew while they are fishing. He says to them that He will "make them fishers of men" These fisherman's roots have significance into Christian symbolism, such as the much mocked and parodied Christian Fish. It was used to identify a fellow Christian by drawing an arc on the ground. If the other fellow formed a fish with his own arc, they could be considered a fellow Christian. Verse 20 mentions that they leave immediately with Christ. It appears that they just left their boat and nets where they were. This scenario repeats itself in verses 21 and 22 with the sons of Zebedee, James and John.

Matthew then describes the beginnings of Christ's ministry in Galilee; preaching, teaching and healing (v23). Of course news about his message (but even more his healing power) spread all around in verse 24 and people came with all kinds of illness and possession. The chapter ends in verse 25 with a large, diverse group from many cities and regions following Jesus.