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. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus doesn't just see fishermen; he sees men in the act of their trade. This detail isn't just descriptive; it highlights that Jesus calls us directly from our everyday lives and tasks, interrupting ordinary work for an extraordinary calling.
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. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”
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 Simon and Andrew, who are busy at their trade as fishermen, casting nets into the water.
Jesus didn't just stumble upon Simon and Andrew. His path intersected theirs at a pivotal moment, setting the stage for a profound calling.
Jesus was walking along the Sea of Galilee, a bustling area of commerce and life. It wasn't accidental that he encountered Simon and Andrew. He saw them engaged in their livelihood: casting nets into the water. This wasn't a random meeting; it was a deliberate divine appointment. Jesus was actively seeking out those who would become His closest followers, those who would be foundational to His kingdom. The setting—the sea, their work—was perfectly chosen to illustrate the transformation He would bring about in their lives.
Their identity as 'fishermen' was deeply ingrained. Jesus' call required them to leave behind not just a job, but a way of life.
Simon and Andrew were fishermen by trade. This was more than just a job; it was their heritage, their skill, their livelihood. The phrase 'for they were fishermen' tells us this defined them. Jesus’ call, 'Come, follow me, and I will make you into fishers of men,' was a radical redefinition. He wasn't just asking them to change careers; He was calling them to a new identity and purpose. Leaving their nets meant leaving behind security, familiarity, and their old way of life. Their immediate response shows a deep readiness to trust Jesus and embrace the profound transformation He offered.
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akoloutheō · Greek Verb
A call to discipleship, denoting a total shift in allegiance, imitation of life, and submission to the authority of a teacher. In the New Testament, it signifies leaving one's former life to live under the lordship of Jesus Christ.
halieus anthrōpōn · Greek Noun
In a vocational sense, one who catches fish; metaphorically, as used by Jesus, it describes those commissioned to reach humanity with the Gospel and bring them into the kingdom of God.
c. AD 27-28
John the Baptist Imprisoned
John the Baptist, a key figure who prepared the way for Jesus, was imprisoned by Herod Antipas. This event marks a shift, prompting Jesus to begin his public ministry in Galilee.
c. AD 27-28— this verse
Jesus Begins Public Ministry in Galilee
After John's imprisonment and his own temptation in the wilderness, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the message: 'The time has been fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel.'
c. AD 27-28
Calling of Andrew and Simon Peter
Jesus encounters fishermen Simon (Peter) and Andrew by the Sea of Galilee and calls them to follow Him, promising to make them 'fishers of men.'
c. AD 27-28
Calling of James and John
Jesus then calls James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were also fishermen, leaving their father and their boat to follow Him.
c. AD 27-28
Jesus Teaches and Heals in Galilee
Jesus travels throughout Galilee, teaching in synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing various illnesses and afflictions, drawing large crowds.
This passage recounts the same calling of Simon, Andrew, James, and John, providing further detail on Jesus' words and the disciples' immediate response.
Luke 5:1-11Luke's account of this event includes the miraculous catch of fish, which serves as a profound demonstration of Jesus' power and leads Peter to a deeper recognition of his own unworthiness.
John 1:40-42John's Gospel offers an earlier perspective on Andrew and Simon's initial encounter with Jesus, highlighting their discipleship under John the Baptist before Jesus directly called them.
1 Samuel 17:45David's encounter with Goliath shows a humble individual, much like these fishermen, being called by God to a task far beyond their perceived strength, relying on divine power rather than earthly skill.
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 fishermen; he sees men in the act of their trade. This detail isn't just descriptive; it highlights that Jesus calls us directly from our everyday lives and tasks, interrupting ordinary work for an extraordinary calling.
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 Simon and Andrew, who are busy at their trade as fishermen, casting nets into the water.
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 Simon and Andrew, who are busy at their trade as fishermen, casting nets into the water.
"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. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”" — Jesus doesn't just see fishermen; he sees men in the act of their trade. This detail isn't just descriptive; it highlights that Jesus calls us directly from our everyday lives and tasks, interrupti…
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Last reviewed October 2026