Mark 1

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;

As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.

And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;

And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.

I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.

And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.

And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:

And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.

And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.

Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,

And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.

And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.

And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.

And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.

And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.

And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.

And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,

Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.

And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.

And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.

And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.

And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.

And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.

But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.

And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.

And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils.

And all the city was gathered together at the door.

And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.

And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

And Simon and they that were with him followed after him.

And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee.

And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.

And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.

And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.

And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.

And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away;

And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.

But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.

What does Mark 1:20 mean?

Explanation

Mark 1:20 recounts the moment when Jesus calls James and John to follow Him.

In the narrative, Jesus has just called Simon (Peter) and Andrew to be His disciples, and they have immediately left their nets to follow Him.

James and John are also fishing, alongside their father Zebedee.

When Jesus calls them, they respond without hesitation, leaving their father and the family business behind to join Him.

The departure of James and John not only signifies their willingness to follow Jesus but also illustrates the sense of urgency in their decision.

They leave their father "in the ship with the hired servants," suggesting the family's fishing business was somewhat established, with Zebedee being able to afford hired help.

The brothers' actions symbolize the prioritization of Jesus's mission over family and livelihood, indicating the significance of Jesus' call and the commitment required from His followers.

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Historical Context

This verse is set during the early days of Jesus's public ministry, around the Sea of Galilee in the first century CE.

Fishing was a common profession in the region, which was known for its fishing industry.

Families often worked together in their trade, and it was common for sons to take over the family business.

The calling of the disciples in this context emphasizes the cultural significance of leaving one's family and occupation. These actions would have been seen as radical, as family loyalty and occupation were core elements of an individual's identity and responsibility during this time.

Moreover, it reflects the Jewish expectation of a coming Messiah who would call people to a new way of life.

Theological Insights

This verse has been viewed through various theological lenses:

Call to Discipleship: It has often been interpreted as exemplifying the immediate and total response required for discipleship.

The disciples are called to leave behind their previous lives to follow Jesus completely.

Cost of Following Jesus: Some theologians stress this incident to discuss the cost associated with following Jesus, which may include leaving behind family, possessions, and security.
Divine Authority of Jesus: Jesus's ability to call these men and receive an instant response implies a divine authority that compels obedience and recognition of His role as the awaited Messiah.

Practical Applications

From a practical perspective, this verse serves as an encouragement for modern-day believers to:

Prioritize Spiritual Commitments: Assess their own lives and consider what they may need to leave behind or re-prioritize to follow Jesus more closely.
Respond to God's Call: Encourage an immediate and responsive heart to God's calling, whatever it may be.
Trust in God's Provision: Emphasize trust in God to provide, even when leaving behind certain securities.

Cross-References

Matthew 4:21-22: Similarly depicts the calling of James and John.
Luke 14:26: Discusses the cost of discipleship and the need to prioritize Jesus over family relationships.
Matthew 19:27-29: Peter discusses what the disciples have left to follow Jesus and the promises that have been made to them as a result.

Language Study

Straightway (eutheōs): This Greek word implies immediate action without delay, conveying the urgency with which James and John followed Jesus.
Called (kaleō): Often used in the context of calling someone by name, this term here implies an authoritative summons to a specific role or task.
Left (aphiēmi): This term can mean to send away, forsake, or leave behind, which indicates a definitive action taken by James and John.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In comparing this event to other ancient religious narratives, one may draw parallelism with stories where individuals are called by gods or divine beings to undertake a quest or fulfill a destiny.

However, the Jewish context of this narrative emphasizes the concept of call and response rooted in the Hebrew Scriptures, where God calls individuals like Abraham, Moses, and prophets to particular roles and missions.

Scientific Perspectives

While there's little in this verse to connect directly with scientific perspectives, modern psychology might interpret the immediate response of James and John from the perspective of human decision-making processes, commitment, and the factors that influence such life-changing choices.

Commentaries

Commentaries on this verse offer varied insights:

John Calvin: Emphasizes the obedience of James and John, noting that they did not consult with flesh and blood but followed the call of Christ.
Matthew Henry: Highlights that James and John left a good situation, their father, and their livelihood, to follow Jesus, showcasing their faith and commitment.
William Barclay: Suggests the act of leaving their father signifies a break from the old life, reflecting Jesus's call to a radically new way of existence.

Mark 1

Mark 1

What does Mark 1:20 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Mark 1:20 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?