Note 1 at Mt. 4:18: The Sea of Galilee is the most common name for the fresh water lake in Galilee; it has also been called the sea of Chinnereth (Num. 34:11), the lake of Gennesaret (Lk. 5:1), and the sea of Tiberias (Jn. 21:1; see note 1 at Lk. 3:1, p. 31).

The sea is surrounded by hills, some of them 1,000 feet above the level of the sea. The Jordan River enters the sea from the north and exits at the south of the sea 12* miles away. The widest point is 7* miles across, opposite the city of Magdala. The surface of the lake is 682* feet below sea level and covers 64 square miles in area (approx. 3 times the size of Manhattan Island in New York). Because of the low level of the sea, the climate is semi-tropical. This, combined with the fact that the always snow-covered Mt. Hermon is less than 40 miles away, produces very sudden and violent storms sweeping down on the lake as in Matthew 8:23-24 and Mark 4:35-37. Many varieties of fish abound in the lake.

Jesus walked on this sea (Mt. 14:25), rebuked it (Mt. 8:26), cast out the legion into the swine who drowned in it (Mt. 8:32), and taught and performed many miracles around the sea of Galilee.

Note 2 at Mt. 4:18: Andrew (Gk.-"manly") was mentioned twelve times in scripture. He was the brother of Simon Peter (v.18); was one of John the Baptist's disciples who followed Jesus (Jn. 1:40); brought his brother, Peter, to Jesus (Jn. 1:41); apparently lived in the same house with Peter and his wife in Capernaum (Mk. 1:29); was originally from Bethsaida (Jn. 1:44); became one of Jesus' twelve apostles (Mt. 10:2); joined with Peter, James, and John in asking Jesus about the signs of His coming (Mk. 13:3-4); with Philip, presented to Jesus the Greeks' request to see Jesus (Jn. 12:20-22); tarried in the upper room for the Holy Ghost (Acts 1:13); and received Him on the day of Pentecost (Acts 1:13 with 2:1- 4).

Tradition says that the apostle Andrew preached in Scythia, and is today Russia's patron saint. He was supposedly crucified on a cross shaped like the letter "X," which is commonly called St. Andrew's cross. Andrew also became the patron saint of Scotland when Mariners, who wrecked on the shores of Scotland and had in their possession supposed relics of St. Andrew, shared the gospel with the region. All this is tradition and cannot be verified.