Mark 1:20 Explained — ‘And immediately He called them, and they left their…’

Table of Contents

• Bible Verse
• Meaning of Mark 1:20
• Context of Mark 1:20
• Misconceptions of Mark 1:20
• Mark 1:20 Cross References
• Anglican Commentary on Mark 1:20
• Early Church Father Commentary
• Additional Church Father Quotes

Bible Verse

‘And immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed Him.’ - Mark 1:20 (BSB)

‘And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.’ - Mark 1:20 (KJV)

‘And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.’ - Mark 1:20 (ESV)

‘Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.’ - Mark 1:20 (NIV)

‘And immediately He called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went away to follow Him.’ - Mark 1:20 (NASB1995)

Meaning of Mark 1:20

Mark 1:20 captures the moment when Jesus calls His first disciples, James and John, the sons of Zebedee. The term ‘immediately’ emphasizes the urgency and decisiveness of their response to Jesus’ call. The act of leaving their father and their livelihood signifies a radical commitment to discipleship, illustrating the cost of following Jesus. This verse highlights the theme of divine calling and the transformative power of Jesus’ authority, as the disciples abandon their previous lives to embrace a new mission.

Context of Mark 1:20

This verse is situated within the broader narrative of Mark’s Gospel, which emphasizes the authority and identity of Jesus as the Son of God. In the preceding verses, Jesus begins His public ministry, preaching the good news of the Kingdom of God. The calling of the disciples is a pivotal moment that sets the stage for the establishment of the early Church. Mark’s account is characterized by a sense of immediacy and action, reflecting the urgency of Jesus’ mission and the radical nature of discipleship.

Misconceptions of Mark 1:20

Misconception: The disciples were not committed to their families. Truth: The disciples’ decision to follow Jesus does not imply a lack of love for their families; rather, it reflects their prioritization of God’s call over familial obligations.

Misconception: Jesus only called the disciples without any prior relationship. Truth: The disciples likely had some prior knowledge of Jesus and His ministry, as they were familiar with His teachings and the context of His work in Galilee.

Mark 1:20 Cross References

‘Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets; and He called them.’ - Matthew 4:21 (BSB)

‘And so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not fear; from now on you will be catching men.’’ - Luke 5:10 (BSB)

‘As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.’ - Mark 1:16 (BSB)

‘The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God!’ When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus.’ - John 1:35-37 (BSB)

Anglican Commentary

From an Anglican perspective, Mark 1:20 illustrates the call to discipleship that is central to the Christian faith. The abandonment of familial ties in favor of following Christ resonates with the teachings of the Book of Common Prayer, which emphasizes the importance of responding to God’s call in our lives. This verse serves as a reminder of the radical nature of discipleship and the commitment required to follow Jesus, echoing the Anglican understanding of vocation and mission.

Early Church Father Commentary

Augustine: Augustine reflects on the immediacy of the disciples’ response, noting that true discipleship requires a prompt and willing heart to follow Christ.

John Chrysostom: Chrysostom emphasizes the courage of the disciples in leaving their father and livelihood, highlighting their faith in Jesus’ promise of a greater calling.

Irenaeus: Irenaeus interprets this passage as a demonstration of the transformative power of Christ’s call, which compels individuals to leave behind their former lives.

Gregory of Nyssa: Gregory notes that the act of following Jesus signifies a deeper spiritual awakening, where the disciples are drawn into a new reality of divine purpose.

Origen: Origen discusses the significance of the disciples’ immediate response, suggesting that it reflects the nature of true faith, which acts without hesitation.

Additional Church Father Quotes

Basil of Caesarea: A beginning is made by detaching oneself from all external goods: property, selfimportance, social class and useless desire, following the holy example of the Lord’s disciples. James and John left their father Zebedee and the very boat upon which their whole livelihood depended. Matthew left his counting house and followed the Lord, not merely leaving behind the profits of his occupation, but also paying no heed to the dangers which were sure to befall both himself and his family at the hands of the magistrates because he had left the tax accounts unfinished. Paul speaks of the whole world being crucified to him, and he to the world. Thus, those who are strongly seized with the desire of following Christ can no longer be concerned with anything pertaining to this life, not even with the love of their parents or other relatives insofar as this runs counter to the calling of the Lord. The Long Rules, Question

Jerome: There must have been something divinely compelling in the face of the Savior. Otherwise they would not have acted so irrationally as to follow a man whom they had never seen before. Does one leave a father to follow a man in whom he sees nothing more than he sees in his father? They left their father of the flesh to follow the Father of the spirit. They did not leave a father; they found a Father. What is the point of this digression? To show that there was something divine in the Savior’s very countenance that men, seeing, could not resist.