Mark 1:14-20
14 Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
16 And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.
17 Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”
18 They immediately left their nets and followed Him.
19 When He had gone a little farther from there, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending their nets.
20 And immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after Him.
Mark 1:14-20: Verse-by-Verse Analysis
Verse 14: “Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,”
John the Baptist’s imprisonment marks a turning point. Jesus begins His public ministry in Galilee. He preaches the good news of God’s kingdom.
Verse 15: “and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.'”
Jesus declares that the awaited time has come. God’s kingdom is near. He calls for repentance and faith in the gospel.
Verse 16: “And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.”
Jesus encounters Simon (Peter) and Andrew. They are engaged in their daily work as fishermen.
Verse 17: “Then Jesus said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.'”
Jesus invites them to follow Him. He promises to transform their vocation. They will now fish for people, spreading His message.
Verse 18: “They immediately left their nets and followed Him.”
Simon and Andrew respond without hesitation. They abandon their livelihood to follow Jesus.
Verse 19: “When He had gone a little farther from there, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending their nets.”
Jesus continues His walk. He sees James and John, also fishermen, repairing their nets.
Verse 20: “And immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after Him.”
Jesus calls James and John. They too respond immediately, leaving their father and their work to follow Him.