Jesus calls Simon (Peter) and Andrew while they are fishing Matthew 4:18–19. He also calls James and John, the sons of Zebedee, and they follow him Matthew 4:21–22.
In Matthew 4:18–22, Jesus walks along the Sea of Galilee, notices two sets of brothers doing ordinary fishing work, and calls each pair to follow him. To Simon (called Peter) and Andrew, he adds a promise that he will reshape their work into “fishers for people.” Both pairs respond at once. This scene comes early in Matthew’s narrative, right after Jesus begins public activity in Galilee and announces his message (see Matt.4.12-Matt.4.17). It functions as a first glimpse of how Jesus gathers close followers who will accompany him through teaching and action.
This short scene presents Jesus as the one who takes the initiative: he sees people in ordinary work, calls them, and they follow (verses 18–20, 21–22). The first men are identified by family ties and trade—Simon (also called Peter) and his brother Andrew, actively fishing (verse 18).
A common mistake is to treat this as trivia. Names, places, numbers, and sequence details often carry memory, covenant identity, or narrative movement in the biblical story.
Start with Matthew 4:18-19, then read the surrounding section so the answer stays connected to the passage's flow.
18Walking by the sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers: Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew, his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.
19He said to them, "Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers for men."