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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus doesn't just see Simon and Andrew; he sees them in the very act of their work, using their tools. Mark's vivid description emphasizes that Jesus called them not from idleness, but from the midst of their demanding labor, highlighting the immediate and total nature of their commitment once they followed Him.
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just begun his public ministry in Galilee, preaching the good news of God's kingdom after John the Baptist was imprisoned. As he walks along the Sea of Galilee, he encounters two brothers, Simon and Andrew, who are fishermen casting their nets into the water, setting the scene for their call to follow him.
Jesus didn't call famous scholars or powerful leaders. He called ordinary guys doing ordinary jobs. What does this tell us about God's calling?
When Jesus walked along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew. They were fishermen, casting nets into the water to make a living. This wasn't a sideline; it was their occupation, their trade.
God's Humble Beginnings
This scene highlights a powerful truth: God often chooses the ordinary to do extraordinary things. These men weren't seeking Jesus; Jesus found them in the midst of their daily work. Their lives were defined by the rhythms of the sea, the labor of casting and mending nets. This was their world before Jesus intervened.
A Different Kind of Fishing
Jesus saw them not just as fishermen, but as potential 'fishers of men.' He saw beyond their current occupation to what they could become. This wasn't about abandoning their skills but redirecting them for a higher purpose. Their practical knowledge of nets and the sea would soon be translated into spiritual metaphors for reaching people.
Jesus simply said, 'Come, follow me.' And they dropped everything. What was so compelling about his call?
The call Jesus extended to Simon and Andrew was direct and powerful: 'Come, follow me.' It wasn't a suggestion or a polite request; it was a transformative invitation.
Immediate Response
The response was immediate. 'Immediately they left their nets and followed him.' This wasn't a delayed decision or a promise to think about it later. The impact of Jesus' presence and his words was so profound that they left their livelihood, their boats, and their known world behind without hesitation.
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The 'Why' Behind the 'What'
Jesus didn't just call them away from fishing; he called them to something. He promised to make them 'fishers of men.' This wasn't just a change of career; it was a redefinition of their purpose. They were being invited into the greatest mission imaginable – participating in God's work of bringing people into His kingdom.
This passage shows Jesus initiating his public ministry not with grand pronouncements but by calling ordinary working men to follow him, highlighting the value he places on simple obedience and faith even in the midst of daily life.
c. AD 26-27
John the Baptist Imprisoned
John the Baptist's ministry, which prepared the way for Jesus, ended with his imprisonment by Herod Antipas. This event marks a shift, pushing Jesus' public ministry into Galilee.
c. AD 27— this verse
Jesus Begins Public Ministry in Galilee
After John's imprisonment and his own temptation in the wilderness, Jesus returns to Galilee and begins his public preaching of the kingdom of God.
c. AD 27
Jesus Calls Simon and Andrew
While walking by the Sea of Galilee, Jesus encounters Simon Peter and Andrew, fishermen at their trade, and calls them to follow Him.
c. AD 27
Jesus Calls James and John
Shortly after calling Simon and Andrew, Jesus calls James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were also fishermen, to leave their boat and join him.
c. AD 27-28
Jesus Teaches and Heals Throughout Galilee
Jesus travels throughout Galilee, teaching in synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing various illnesses, gaining widespread renown.
This passage describes the same event of Jesus calling Peter and Andrew, providing further details about the calling of James and John as well.
Luke 5:1-11Luke's account includes the miraculous catch of fish, which powerfully demonstrated Jesus' divine authority and the disciples' inadequacy, solidifying their call.
John 1:35-42John's Gospel offers an earlier perspective, showing Andrew and another disciple first following Jesus after hearing John the Baptist identify Jesus as the Lamb of God, before Andrew brings his brother Simon.
1 Corinthians 1:26-29Paul reflects on how God often chooses the seemingly weak and ordinary to accomplish His purposes, highlighting the significance of Jesus calling fishermen to demonstrate His power through them.
barnesMark 1:16: "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."
See the notes at Matthew 4:18-22 .
gillMark 1:16: "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."
Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee,.... The same with the sea of Tiberias, John 6:1 , he saw Simon: whose surname was Peter, the son of Jonas: and Andrew his brother; the brother of Simon, casting a net into the sea; of Galilee, in order to catch fish: for they were fishers: by occupation, this was their trade and business, by which they got their livel…
Jesus doesn't just see Simon and Andrew; he sees them in the very act of their work, using their tools. Mark's vivid description emphasizes that Jesus called them not from idleness, but from the midst of their demanding labor, highlighting the immediate and total nature of their commitment once they followed Him.
Jesus has just begun his public ministry in Galilee, preaching the good news of God's kingdom after John the Baptist was imprisoned. As he walks along the Sea of Galilee, he encounters two brothers, Simon and Andrew, who are fishermen casting their nets into the water, setting the scene for their call to follow him.
Jesus has just begun his public ministry in Galilee, preaching the good news of God's kingdom after John the Baptist was imprisoned. As he walks along the Sea of Galilee, he encounters two brothers, Simon and Andrew, who are fishermen casting their nets into the water, setting the scene for their call to follow him.
"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." — Jesus doesn't just see Simon and Andrew; he sees them in the very act of their work, using their tools. Mark's vivid description emphasizes that Jesus called them not from idleness, but from the…
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Last reviewed October 2026