Matthew Poole and continuators on Matthew 4:18

18 And Jesus walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his Brother, casting a net into the Sea for they were Fishers

Whether by the Sea, he here meant the Lake of Gennesaret or the Ocean, is not worth the arguing, for the Iews called all great Collections of waters the Seas according to Gen. 1.10. he saw two Brethren Simon called Peter, and Andrew his Brother, whether natural Brethren, or called so because of their joynt Imployment, casting a Net into the Sea, either, for the catching of Fish, or for the washing of their Nets, see Luk. 5.2. for they were Fisher-men, Sea-men (as the word seems to [illegible: 1 letter]ignifie) used to fish in the Sea; Simon had a Ship of his own, Luk. 5.3. The Evangelists differing Relation of the call of Simon and Andrew, hath made a great deal of work for Interpreters. The greatest difference seemeth to be betwixt Matthew in this Text, and Iohn, ch. 1.35, 36, 37, 38. But certainly Iohn speaketh of one Call in those Verses: The other Evangelists of another. According to Iohn, they were called to the knowledge of, and first Acquaintance with Christ, this was while Iohn was in the publike Exercise of his Ministry, for they were his Disciples, Ioh. 1.35, 36. and v. 39. they are said at that time, to have abode with him that day: Probably they again returned to their old Imployment, and when Iohn was imprisoned, Christ walking by the Sea, saw them, and then called them to the Apostle-ship. There are other differences in their Call observed, betwixt Matthew, Mark ▪ and Luke, but such as may be easily answered, by those who observe that there is nothing more ordinary, than for the Evangelists in reporting the same History, one of them to supply more largely what the other had recorded more summarily.

Marginal references: Mar. 1.16. Joh. 1.42.