JESUS CHOOSES HIS DISCIPLES: MARK 1:16-20

 

Calling the First Disciples

1:16-20

As Jesus began his ministry, he traveled from the Judea wilderness into Galilee to proclaim the gospel. He also began to call the men to him that would be the twelve apostles. 

Matthew tells us that Jesus left Nazareth and moved to Capernaum, which was on the northwest side of the Sea of Galilee. (Matthew 4:12-13) 

When walking alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew, who were brothers, fishing. They were standing in shallow water throwing weighted nets into the water to trap fish.He called them to follow him. They did so immediately. (16-18) 

He then saw James and John, also brothers and fishermen, and called them. They were better off financially: they had a boat and hired servants.They left their boat and followed him. (20) 

Maybe Jesus was thinking of Jeremiah 16:16, where God says that, in restoring Israel, he will send for many fishers to catch men and women. 

So, Jesus now had four disciples consisting of two sets of brothers who were all fishermen. 

Note that Jesus did not invite the men to follow him. Nor did they seek him. He summoned them. He had authority to do so. John 15:16 records Jesus as saying :“you did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit…”.