What is the meaning of 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. (Matthew 4:21 KJV)

And going on from thence he saw two other brethren, James the [son] of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. (Matthew 4:21 ASV)

And going on thence he saw other two brothers, James the [son] of Zebedee and John his brother, in the ship with Zebedee their father, mending their trawl-nets, and he called them; (Matthew 4:21 DBY)

Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them. (Matthew 4:21 WEB)

And having advanced thence, he saw other two brothers, James of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, refitting their nets, and he called them, (Matthew 4:21 YLT)

Interlinear

And <kai> going on <probaino> from thence, <ekeithen> he saw <eido> other <allos> two <duo> brethren, <adelphos> James <Iakobos> the son of <ho> Zebedee, <Zebedaios> and <kai> John <Ioannes> his <autos> brother, <adelphos> in <en> a ship <ploion> with <meta> Zebedee <Zebedaios> their <autos> father, <pater> mending <katartizo> their <autos> nets; <diktuon> and <kai> he called <kaleo> them. <autos> (Matthew 4:21 KJV)

People’s New Testament

Saw other two brethren. James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They were fishermen also, are supposed to have been cousins of Jesus, probably were already disciples (Joh 1:29-42), but were now called to preparation for their great work.

In a ship. A small fishing vessel. The Revised Version says, “boat,” which gives the idea.

Robertson’s NT Word Pictures

Mending their nets (katartizontas ta diktua autôn). These two brothers, James and John, were getting their nets ready for use. The verb (katartizô) means to adjust, to articulate, to mend if needed (Lu 6:40; Ro 9:22; Ga 6:1). So they promptly left their boat and father and followed Jesus. They had also already become disciples of Jesus. Now there are four who follow him steadily.