And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus doesn't just ask them to change their profession; he promises to transform them into something new. The power to become "fishers of men" isn't inherent in them; it's something Christ will actively create within them.
And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just begun his public ministry, calling disciples to follow him. As he walks along the Sea of Galilee, he sees two brothers, Simon Peter and Andrew, casting a net into the water because they are fishermen. He calls them directly, interrupting their work, and promises to transform their vocation into something far greater: winning people for God's kingdom.
Jesus didn't ask for part-time volunteers. When he called the disciples, he called them to drop everything and follow.
Jesus' command, "Follow me," wasn't just an invitation to listen to his teachings. It was a radical call to immediate discipleship, requiring them to abandon their current livelihoods and way of life.
Jesus didn't just want followers; he wanted men who could catch other men for God's kingdom. But how?
The promise, 'I will make you fishers of men,' is a profound declaration of Jesus' power to transform ordinary people into instruments for his mission.
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Understand the original words
deute opisō mou · Greek Imperative verb phrase
In a spiritual sense, this means to physically and devotionally accompany Jesus, mimicking His life, teaching, and mission. It involves abandonment of one's previous life to be a disciple of the Master.
halieis anthrōpōn · Greek Noun phrase
A metaphor used by Jesus to describe the transformative mission of his disciples: shifting their labor from catching fish to calling people into the kingdom of God through the gospel.
Jesus draws on a familiar metaphor from the Old Testament prophets, but reorients it towards salvation and discipleship, transforming the understanding of 'capturing' people from judgment to redemption.
c. 740 BC
Prophecy of Isaiah
The prophet Isaiah uses the imagery of fishing to describe God's judgment and restoration of Israel. This ancient prophetic language likely influenced Jesus' later metaphor.
c. 620 BC
Prophecy of Jeremiah
Jeremiah also uses the metaphor of 'fishers' who capture people, though in his context, it carries a negative connotation of ensnarement and exile.
c. 590 BC
Prophecy of Ezekiel
Ezekiel describes a vision of waters healed by God's power, teeming with fish, and associates 'fishers' with the restoration and life brought forth.
c. 27-30 AD
John the Baptist's Ministry
John the Baptist begins his public ministry, calling people to repentance and preparing the way for the Messiah. This created an atmosphere of expectation.
c. 27-28 AD
Jesus' Early Ministry Begins
Jesus begins his public ministry in Galilee, calling disciples and teaching with unprecedented authority. This sets the stage for his direct interaction with the fishermen.
c. 28 AD— this verse
Jesus Calls Peter and Andrew
Jesus encounters Simon Peter and Andrew, who are fishermen, by the Sea of Galilee. He issues the direct command, 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men,' marking their transition to discipleship.
c. 30 AD
The Great Commission
After his resurrection, Jesus gives his disciples the explicit command to make disciples of all nations, expanding on the 'fisher of men' metaphor with a universal scope.
This prophetic passage describes God sending for 'fishermen' who will fish for Israel, and then later send for many fishermen to catch the people who had fled, creating a strong Old Testament parallel to Jesus' imagery.
Ezekiel 47:8-10This vision of a river flowing from the temple, bringing life and abundant fish to the Dead Sea, echoes the idea of God's life-giving power transforming barrenness, much like Jesus promises to transform the disciples' lives and ministries.
Luke 5:1-11This parallel account includes the miraculous catch of fish immediately before Jesus calls the disciples, directly linking their miraculous provision to their new calling and emphasizing the profound, life-altering nature of their transformation.
Acts 1:21-22This passage highlights the importance of having 'accompanied' Jesus throughout His ministry as a qualification for apostleship, underscoring that 'following' Him is a prerequisite for effectively participating in His mission.
clarkeMatthew 4:19: "And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."
Follow me - Come after me, δευτε οπισω μου. Receive my doctrines, imitate me in my conduct - in every respect be my disciples. We may observe that most of the calls of God to man are expressed in a few solemn words, which alarm, the conscience, and deeply impress the heart. I will make you fishers of men - Ezekiel 47:8-10, casts much light on this place; and to this prophet our Lord probably alludes. To follo…
barnesMatthew 4:19: "And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."
Fishers of men - Ministers or preachers of the gospel, whose business it shall be to win souls to Christ.
Jesus doesn't just ask them to change their profession; he promises to transform them into something new. The power to become "fishers of men" isn't inherent in them; it's something Christ will actively create within them.
Jesus has just begun his public ministry, calling disciples to follow him. As he walks along the Sea of Galilee, he sees two brothers, Simon Peter and Andrew, casting a net into the water because they are fishermen. He calls them directly, interrupting their work, and promises to transform their vocation into something far greater: winning people for God's kingdom.
Jesus has just begun his public ministry, calling disciples to follow him. As he walks along the Sea of Galilee, he sees two brothers, Simon Peter and Andrew, casting a net into the water because they are fishermen. He calls them directly, interrupting their work, and promises to transform their vocation into something far greater: winning people for God's kingdom.
"And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”" — Jesus doesn't just ask them to change their profession; he promises to transform them into something new. The power to become "fishers of men" isn't inherent in them; it's something Christ will act…
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Last reviewed October 2026