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Epiphany Season · Third Sunday in Ordinary Time · Year A

Matthew 4:12-23 or Matthew 4:12-17

Jesus Begins His Galilean Ministry and Calls the First Disciples

January 25, 2026

The Calling of Saints Peter and Andrew, Caravaggio
The Calling of Saints Peter and Andrew, Caravaggio, c. 1603–1606Royal Collection, Hampton Court Palace
A late Caravaggio, long thought a copy until cleaning in 2006 revealed the original beneath. The fish are painted as freshly as the faces.Immediately they left their nets and followed him: the reading gives it no deliberation, and the painting gives them no time.CaravaggioThe painter who put street models and raking light into altarpieces, killed a man in a brawl, and changed European painting in under twenty years.Royal Collection, Hampton Court PalaceHenry VIII's palace on the Thames, later rebuilt by Wren, holding part of the Royal Collection.Royal Collection, Hampton Court Palace
Roman Lectionary
GospelMatt. 4:12-23Mt 4:12-23 orMatt. 4:12-17Mt 4:12-17
Second Reading1 Cor. 1:10-13, 171 Cor 1:10-13, 17
First ReadingIsa. 8:23–9:3Is 8:23–9:3
Responsorial PsalmPs. 27:1, 4, 13-14 (1a)Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14 (1a)

Overview & Insights

"From that time Jesus began to proclaim, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.'" (Matthew 4:17)

Jesus withdraws to Capernaum after John's arrest, a move Matthew reads as the fulfillment of Isaiah's promise to Zebulun and Naphtali. By the shore he calls two sets of fishing brothers to leave their nets and follow him.

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Take it further: Matthew 4:12-23 or Matthew 4:12-17

Commentary

Commentary on Matthew 4:12-23Commentary on Mt 4:12-23 Working Preacher

Luther Seminary commentary on John's arrest as the hinge that opens Jesus' Galilean ministry.

Matthew 4:12-23 CommentaryMt 4:12-23 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

Reformed preaching commentary on the calling of the first disciples beside the sea.

Matthew 4 CommentaryMt 4 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik's verse by verse reading of Jesus' move to Capernaum and his call to Peter, Andrew, James and John.

Matthew 4 CommentaryMt 4 Commentary Precept Austin

Deep verse by verse study notes gathering many conservative scholars on the start of Jesus' public preaching.

Matthew 4:12 CommentariesMt 4:12 Commentaries BibleHub

Aggregated classic commentary on Jesus' withdrawal to Galilee after hearing of John's arrest.

Matthew 4 - Barnes' NotesMt 4 - Barnes' Notes StudyLight

Barnes' Notes verse by verse on the move to Capernaum and the call of the first four disciples.

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A Loyola Press · Sunday Connection

Loyola Press background and reflection questions on Jesus calling ordinary fishermen to follow him.

Background & Word Study

Matthew 4:12 InterlinearMt 4:12 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek word by word with parsing for withdrew, repent, and kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 1-13 OverviewMt 1-13 Overview BibleProject

Animated literary overview of Matthew's opening chapters, tracing Jesus as the new Moses announcing God's kingdom.

The Church Fathers

Matthew 4 - Catena Bible & CommentariesMt 4 - Catena Bible & Commentaries Catena

Patristic comment on Jesus' move to Capernaum and his call of the first disciples.

Study Hub

Matthew 4:12-23Mt 4:12-23 Textweek

A gathered set of links and preaching angles on this week's Gospel text.

Podcast

SB521 - Third Sunday after Epiphany Working Preacher · Sermon Brainwave

A roundtable of preachers talking through the call of the first disciples and what following costs.

Worship & Prayers

Third Sunday after the Epiphany, Year A The Lectionary Page

The full set of appointed collects and readings for this Sunday in one place.

Art & Music

Third Sunday after the Epiphany, Year A Vanderbilt

Curated artwork keyed to this week's readings, useful for a bulletin or sermon slide.

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