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2 more brothers

Matthew 4:21
"And going on from thence, He saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and He called them."

This verse records Jesus calling James and John, the sons of Zebedee, to become His disciples while they were working in a boat with their father, Zebedee. The verse specifically notes that the brothers were mending their nets at the time, an act of preparation or repair that some commentators interpret as symbolically representing the restoration and perfection required for their new mission. 

Unlike the first pair of disciples (Peter and Andrew), Matthew explicitly mentions Zebedee was present in the boat, highlighting the family dynamic and the significant sacrifice of leaving both their trade and parental ties.

The act of mending nets is often viewed as a metaphor for spiritual preparation, while the call itself underscores the inclusive nature of Jesus’ ministry, selecting fishermen from humble backgrounds to be central figures in the early Church.

Church Fathers like Chrysostom and Pseudo-Chrysostom note that Jesus called them in pairs to build the brotherhood of the Church on a foundation of natural and human love, which would then be elevated by God’s grace.

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