Matthew 4:18

And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

Cross-references

Matthew 9:9 Parallel

Matthew 9:9 uses the same 'Follow me' command to call Matthew the tax collector — a direct parallel to the call of the fishermen.

Matthew 10:2 lists Simon Peter and Andrew as apostles, identifying the men called here as foundational leaders.

Matthew 5:1 Historical context

In Matthew 5:1, Jesus goes up the mountain to teach the disciples he just called — showing the immediate narrative sequence.

Matthew 8:22 records another call to discipleship ('Follow me') with radical demands — paralleling the initial call here.

Matthew 26:37 Historical context

Matthew 26:37 shows Peter, one of the disciples called here, with Jesus in Gethsemane — a later key moment in Peter's discipleship.

1 Kings 19:19-21 describes Elijah calling Elisha from plowing—leaving oxen and family. This prefigures Jesus calling fishermen to leave their nets and follow.

Amos 7:15 Allusion

Amos 7:15 says God took him from following the flock and said 'Go, prophesy.' Jesus says 'Follow me, I will make you fishers of men.' Strong verbal parallel.

John 1:40-42 gives an alternative calling account where Andrew brings Peter to Jesus, adding that Andrew first followed John the Baptist.

John 21:1 Parallel

John 21:1 places Jesus' post-resurrection appearance by the Sea of Galilee, echoing the original calling of the disciples at the same lake.

Mark 1:16 Parallel

Mark 1:16 is the synoptic parallel account of Jesus calling Simon and Andrew by the sea, with nearly identical details.

Luke 5:3 Historical context

Luke 5:3 adds the detail of Jesus teaching from Peter's boat before the miraculous catch and call — expanding the same event.

In 1 Chronicles 17:7, God reminds David he was taken from shepherding to lead Israel — a parallel to Jesus calling fishermen from their nets to be apostles.

1 Corinthians 1:27-29 explains God chooses the lowly to shame the wise. Jesus calling fishermen illustrates this principle.

John 21:3 Contrast

John 21:3 shows Peter returning to fishing after the resurrection — a contrast to leaving his nets here to follow Jesus.

Luke 6:14 Parallel

Luke 6:14 lists Simon (named Peter) and Andrew among the apostles, confirming their role in the twelve.

John 1:43 Parallel

John 1:43 records Jesus calling Philip — another instance of Jesus taking the initiative to call disciples, similar to the call here.

Acts 1:13 Parallel

Acts 1:13 lists the same disciples called here, now gathered in the upper room, showing the continuity of their calling.

Acts 4:13 Parallel

Acts 4:13 describes Peter and John as unschooled, ordinary men, reflecting their humble fisherman background from this verse.

1 Peter 1:1 Parallel

1 Peter 1:1 identifies Peter as an apostle, fulfilling the calling of this fisherman to become a leader of the early church.

2 Peter 1:1 Parallel

2 Peter 1:1 opens with Simon Peter, the same fisherman called here, now writing as a servant and apostle.