lectionary.com

Epiphany Season · Third Sunday after the Epiphany · Year A

Matthew 4:12-23

Jesus Begins His Galilean Ministry / Calling 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
Revised Common Lectionary
GospelMatt. 4:12-23Mt 4:12-23
Epistle1 Cor. 1:10-181 Cor 1:10-18
Old TestamentIsa. 9:1-4Is 9:1-4
PsalterPs. 27:1, 4-9Ps 27:1, 4-9

Overview & Insights

"Follow me, and I will make you fish for people." (Matthew 4:19)

After John the Baptist's arrest, Jesus withdraws to Capernaum in Galilee, a move Matthew reads as the fulfillment of Isaiah's promise of light dawning on a land in darkness. He then begins calling fishermen away from their nets to follow him.

From Sermons.com: Join Today to access the most scholarly & well written preaching resources anywhere.

Take it further: Matthew 4:12-23

Commentary

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

Luther Seminary's lectionary commentary on Jesus' relocation to Galilee and the first call.

Matthew 4:12-23 CommentaryMt 4:12-23 Commentary CEP

A preaching-focused read on Jesus replacing John and calling the first disciples.

Matthew 4 CommentaryMt 4 Commentary Enduring Word

David Guzik's verse-by-verse notes covering the whole chapter.

Matthew 4 Commentary (Spurgeon)Mt 4 Commentary (Spurgeon) Precept Austin

Spurgeon's exposition of Jesus' move to Capernaum and the calling of the fishermen.

Matthew 4 - Gill's Exposition of the Whole BibleMt 4 - Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible StudyLight

John Gill's older exposition of the chapter.

Matthew 4 - Barnes' Notes on the Whole BibleMt 4 - Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible StudyLight

Albert Barnes' notes on the same chapter, a second reading alongside Gill.

Matthew 4:12 CommentariesMt 4:12 Commentaries BibleHub

Aggregates several classic commentaries on Jesus' withdrawal to Galilee.

A Poor Church for the Poor The Episcopal Church

An Anglican sermon on the calling of the first disciples in this passage.

Background & Word Study

Matthew 4:12 InterlinearMt 4:12 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek text and parsing for the account of Jesus' move to Galilee.

Gospel of Matthew Summary (Part 1)Gospel of Mt Summary (Part 1) BibleProject

An animated overview of Matthew's structure covering chapters 1-13.

Matthew 4 - Catena BibleMt 4 - Catena Bible Catena

Patristic commentary from the early church fathers on the chapter.

The Church Fathers

Matthew 4Mt 4 Catena

Verse-by-verse comment from the Fathers on Matthew 4.

Podcast

#1065: Third Sunday after Epiphany - January 25, 2026 Working Preacher (Sermon Brainwave)

Luther Seminary’s homiletics roundtable on this Sunday’s appointed texts, including Matthew 4:12-23.

Sunday-Wide Resources

Matthew 4:12-23 Study HubMt 4:12-23 Study Hub Textweek

A broad link hub of sermons, art, and commentary gathered for this passage.

Sermon Brainwave #704 - Third Sunday after Epiphany Working Preacher

The lectionary podcast discussing all four readings for the week as a set.

Prep at sermons.com

Ready to write?

  • Full sermons on Matthew 4:12-23
  • Illustrations cleared for use in worship
  • Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary
Open it at sermons.com →

Trusted by pastors since 1995.

Free every Tuesday

Illustrations & Sermon Prep in your inbox

The coming Sunday’s readings, a cleared-for-use illustration, and a sermon-prep head start. One email, free.