Become fishermen

Mark 1:16-20

Mark 1:16 (ESV)

16 Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary B. Jesus’ Call of Four Fishermen (1:16–20) (Matt. 4:18–22; Luke 5:1–11)

Jesus’ call of four fishermen, two pairs of brothers, to be His followers comes immediately after the summary of His message. So Mark made clear that to repent and believe in the gospel (

Matthew 4:18 (ESV)

18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.

Matthew 10:1–4 (ESV)

10 And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. 2 The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

Mark 1:17–18 (ESV)

17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 1:17–18

The words Come, follow Me are literally, “Come after Me,” a technical expression that meant “Go behind Me as a disciple.” Unlike a Rabbi whose pupils sought Him out, Jesus took the initiative and called His followers.

The call included Jesus’ promise: and I will make you to become (genesthai) fishers of men. He had “caught” them for His kingdom; now He would equip them to share His task, to become (genesthai implies preparation) fishers who catch “men” (generic for “people”; cf. 8:27).

The fishing metaphor was probably suggested by the brothers’ occupation but also had an Old Testament background (cf.

Matthew 4:19–20 (ESV)

19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him.

Acts 2:38–41 (ESV)

38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

Luke 5:11 (ESV)

11 And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.

Philippians 3:8 (ESV)

8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ

Mark 1:19–20 (ESV)

19 And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 1:19–20

On the same occasion Jesus saw James and John, the sons of Zebedee (cf. 10:35), in their boat, preparing (from katartizō, “put in order, make ready”) their nets for another night’s fishing. They were partners to Simon (cf.

Mark 10:35 (ESV)

35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.”

Ephesians 2:20–22 (ESV)

20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.