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Book of Matthew - Chapter 4 - Verse 19

4:19
And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

Meaning

When Jesus said "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men," he was using a metaphor to explain to his disciples what their mission would be as his followers. In this context, Jesus was calling his disciples to join him in spreading his message and teachings to others, just as fishermen catch fish. Just as fishermen use tools and strategies to catch fish, Jesus was telling his disciples that he would equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to attract people to his message and bring them into a relationship with God. By following Jesus and emulating his example, the disciples would become "fishers of men," actively seeking out and leading others to the truth of his teachings. This verse serves as a call to action for all believers to actively engage in sharing their faith and leading others to a relationship with God.

Theological Overview

When Jesus said, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men," he was using a metaphor that would have been easily understood by his audience of fishermen. In this verse, Jesus is calling his disciples to join him in his mission to spread the good news of salvation to all people. The term "fishers of men" signifies the disciples' role in drawing people to faith in God, much like fishermen catch fish. This call to discipleship involves actively seeking out those who are lost and bringing them into the fold of believers. The theological interpretation of this verse emphasizes the importance of evangelism and spreading the message of Jesus Christ to all corners of the earth. Through word studies, we can delve deeper into the original Greek meanings of the words used in this verse to gain a clearer understanding of the disciples' new mission as fishers of men.

American Standard Version

And he saith unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you fishers of men.
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