Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Mark 1:19
And when he had gone a little farther thence, he saw James the [son] of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.
19. James the son of Zebedee ] Two brothers had already been called and two more were now to join them.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Mar 1:19-20
And when He had gone a little farther thence, He saw James.
The call of the sons of Zebedee
I. Our first question is, what manner of men were James and John when Jesus summoned them to His service? Is it not suggested that they were free from gross vices; open-eyed to truth and righteousness? Converted profligates have rendered eminent service in the kingdom of God; yet the best achievements have usually come from men who have not saturated their natures with vicious indulgences. Secular experience had helped to make the brothers fit for Christs call. The stormy wind was fulfilling Christs word, and He was coming to His men walking on the waves of the sea. The qualities of character produced by toil upon the deep were caught up and transfigured in the fulfilment of apostolic tasks. We are shaped by circumstances which look commonplace for future usefulness. James and John had reason to be thankful for helpful communion with others. Their parents must have been a worthy couple, and their companions, Peter and Andrew, were like-minded with themselves. Their thoughts went beyond boats and nets. Their lives looked upward. To the youthful fishermen Christ had already revealed Himself. His spell was on their hearts.
II. The call for which such varied preparations had been made was heard in due course-He called them, etc. Though we take it as a matter of course that James and John should make a prompt response, there was the possibility of reluctance and bargaining. Jonah fled. Prompt be our obedience. The call that was heeded involved a purifying fellowship. The men who were named Boanerges had dispositions which might have made them men of violent deeds had not Christ assumed the task of refining without weakening the powerful, passionate natures that He won. To be much with Christ is essential to doing well in His kingdom.
III. The service for which the call and culture prepared the way.
IV. The sacrifices which the service required. Zebedee and Salome had their share. For their sons they had made plans with which Christ interfered. Their home was to lose some light, The youths themselves had to endure hardship, but they had love to help them. (W. J. Henderson, B. A.)
The beneficent influence of a Christ-attracted life
Anything but beneficent those lives might have been. Let the seawater which would madden those who drink it be drawn heavenward, and it will descend as wholesome refreshment for beast and bird and tree and man; and so men that would make the worlds life madder become fountains of sweet water after Christ has drawn them into the sky of communion with Himself. You will remember that, and let Him uplift you. To be much with Him is essential to doing well in His kingdom. (W. J. Henderson, B. A.)
A call to discipleship
1. This call uttered by Christ was unique in its character.
2. It was emphatic in its authority.
3. It was important in its designation.
I. The call to discipleship comes to men preoccupied with the secular duties of life.
1. Christ does not often call idle men to discipleship.
2. If man are active Christ does not despise the meanness of their toil.
II. The call to discipleship comes to several in the same family.
III. It involves the subordination of all human relationships.
1. Of trade relationships.
2. Of domestic relationships. (Joseph S. Exell, M. A.)
Christs insight into character
In a rough stone, a cunning lapidary will easily foresee what his cutting, and his polishing, and his art will bring that stone to. A cunning statuary discerns in a marble stone under his feet, where there will arise an eye, and an ear, and a hand, and other lineaments to make it a perfect statue. Much more did our Saviour Christ, who was Himself the author of that disposition in them (for no man hath any such disposition but from God), foresee in these fishermen an inclinableness to become useful in that great service of His Church. Therefore He took them from their own ship, but He sent them from His cross; He took them weather beaten with north and south winds, and rough cast with foam and mud; but He sent there back soupled, and smoothed, and levigated, quickened, and inanimated with that spirit which He had breathed into them from His own bowels, His own eternal bowels, from which the Holy Ghost proceeded; He took fishermen, and He sent fishers of men. (J. Donne, D. D.)
What the Gospel ministry is
1. Called men: Said to Andrew, Peter, etc., Follow me.
2. Separated men: They left all and followed Him.
3. Commissioned men: I will make you fishers of men.
4. Equipped men: with His presence-with His Spirit. (The Christian Advocate.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
And when he had gone a little further thence,…. From the place where Simon and Andrew were casting their nets, though still by the sea side;
he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother. The former was be whom afterwards Herod killed with the sword, and the latter the beloved disciple; these were also fishermen:
who also were in the ship mending their nets: as the other two disciples were on board the ship, casting their nets into the sea to catch fish; these were also in a ship, repairing their nets, in order to use them the same way, and for the same purpose;
[See comments on Mt 4:21].
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
A little further (). A Marcan detail.
Mending their nets ( ). See on Mt 4:21. Getting ready that they might succeed better at the next haul.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
A little farther
Added by Mark.
Mending
See on Mat 4:21.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “And when He had gone a little farther thence,” (kai probas holigon) “And passing on (going forward) a little,” when He had gone on a little farther beside the Sea of Galilee, Mar 1:16, farther down the coast.
2) “He saw James the son of Zebedee,” (eiden lakobon ton tou Zebedaiou) “He saw, that is, recognized James the (son) of Zebedee,” Mat 4:21-22, who also was or became one of the twelve apostles, Mat 10:2. The other James of the New Testament was the son of Alphaeus and Lebbaeus, Mat 10:3.
3) “And John his brother,” (kai loannen ton Adelphon autou) “And John his fraternal brother,” who also was or became one of the twelve apostles, Mat 10:2. With-lames his brother and with Peter he was known as an intimate or inner-circle disciple of Jesus, Mat 17:1; Mar 5:37; Mar 9:2; Mar 14:33.
4) “Who also were in the ship,” (kai autous en to ploio) “Who were also in the boat,” apparently in the same boat.
5.) “Mending their nets.” (kataritizontas ta diktua) “Mending, busy repairing the broken cast-nets,” the nets they also cast in their fishing trade.
These four disciples of Galilee, fishermen by trade, former baptized disciples or followers of John the Baptist, obeyed the call of the Lord and seem to have been the first baptized, whom He called and used to institute organize, or constitute His church, as they, all four were later ordained and set in the office of apostleship in His church, having, as was required to be an apostle, come from the baptism of John, Act 1:15; Act 1:21-22.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
23. RETIREMENT INTO GALILEE, Mar 1:14 .
24. MINISTRY IN GALILEE, Mar 1:14-15 26. CALL OF FOUR DISCIPLES, Mar 1:16-20
19. Mending their nets Why does Mark mention that they were mending their nets, while he mentions that Peter and Andrew were casting theirs into the sea? This casual expression would be wholly unexplained if we had not an account from another evangelist, namely, Luke, who tells us that the miracle of the immense draught of fishes had been performed, by which the nets of both boats had been broken. This slight clause, thus inserted for no apparent purpose, is one of those undesigned coincidences which show that truth is at the bottom of both narratives. It suggests that the evangelist Mark is aware of more facts than it is consistent with his brevity of purpose to narrate. See note on Mar 1:1. It also suggests that, had we a fifth evangelist, many of the difficulties which now embarrass us in the Gospels would entirely disappear. Meanwhile these slight variations show that there is no combination between the narrators, but that all are reporting the same facts.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And going on a little further he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending the nets, and immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and went after him.’
Comparing with Luke we can gather that James and John had returned to shore after assisting with the large catch. Then they had gone back to their nets, leaving Simon talking with Jesus. Now Jesus approached them and called them too. The unconscious testimony of the eyewitness is found here. The cost and poignancy of the situation is made obvious. The father is left with only the hired servants, and the business they are leaving is a prosperous one, for fish was the staple diet of the people. Yet they followed immediately and willingly. The impact and authority of Jesus is made clear. Note that here it is not said that they left their nets. Those remained in use by others. In their case they left their business and their loved ones.
(We note that in Mark this incident comes before that in which Jesus deals with the man with the unclean spirit in Capernaum (Mar 1:21-28) while in Luke it comes after. This illustrates the fact that Mark puts his material in the order which will bring home his point rather than following a detailed chronology. He wants the calling of the disciples to be described here immediately after the proclamation of the kingship. As in chapter two he marshals his material carefully. He is not writing a chronological life of Jesus, it is not ‘in order’ but rather a portrayal).
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Mar 1:19-20. Ship Boat.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
19 And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.
Ver. 19. See Trapp on “ Mat 4:21 “
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
19. ] . . . . (Matt.) is omitted here, and [5] . inserted below, where Matt. has simply . .
[5] The CODEX RESCRIPTUS DUBLINENSIS, in the Library of Trinity College, Dublin. Contains, of the N.T., the Gospel of Matthew. It was discovered (under the cursive writing of a copy of Chrysostom de Sacerdotio, extracts from Epiphanius, &c.) by Dr. Barrett, who published all that he could read in not very exact copper-plate facsimile at the expense of the college in 1801. Tregelles, in 1853, by the aid of a chemical mixture was able to decipher the portions which had baffled Barrett, and carefully recollated the whole. It has many lacun, which will be seen by the letters in our inner margin. The date assigned to it is the sixth century .
, these also, as well as the former pair of brothers. It belongs only to , not to the following clause.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
a little farther. A Divine supplement, here.
thence. Omitted by [L] T Tr. A WH R.
James . . . John. See App-141.
Zebedee. Aramaic. App-94.
mending. See note on Mat 4:21.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
19.] . . . . (Matt.) is omitted here, and [5]. inserted below, where Matt. has simply . .
[5] The CODEX RESCRIPTUS DUBLINENSIS, in the Library of Trinity College, Dublin. Contains, of the N.T., the Gospel of Matthew. It was discovered (under the cursive writing of a copy of Chrysostom de Sacerdotio, extracts from Epiphanius, &c.) by Dr. Barrett, who published all that he could read in not very exact copper-plate facsimile at the expense of the college in 1801. Tregelles, in 1853, by the aid of a chemical mixture was able to decipher the portions which had baffled Barrett, and carefully recollated the whole. It has many lacun, which will be seen by the letters in our inner margin. The date assigned to it is the sixth century.
, these also, as well as the former pair of brothers. It belongs only to , not to the following clause.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
James: Mar 3:17, Mar 5:37, Mar 9:2, Mar 10:35, Mar 14:33, Mat 4:21, Act 1:13, Act 12:2
Reciprocal: Luk 5:2 – washing Luk 6:14 – James
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
9
James and John were the ones elsewhere called “Zebedee’s children.”
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Mar 1:19. A little further. An exact statement, peculiar to Mark. Matthew mentions in this connection that Zebedee was in the boat; Mark inserts that fact in the next verse.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Verse 19
James and John were afterwards very prominent among the apostles. Peter, James, and John, are often alluded to, as the special friends and companions of the Savior. John wrote the Gospel which is called by his name. James was beheaded by one of the Herods. (Acts 12:1,2.) There was another James among the twelve.
Fuente: Abbott’s Illustrated New Testament
19 And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the [son] of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets. 20 And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.
Two more that were fishing called to be apostles. Humm do we see a pattern here? Four fishermen, is this a Biblical okay to go fishing fellows? Well maybe not since they left their fishing to do service for their God.
Again we don’t know what the precursors were to this call, but we might have indication in Act 1:21 that all of the disciples were at least hearers of John the Baptist if not followers. In the context of picking a replacement for Judas one of the comments made was 21 “Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.” It would seem logical to conclude that they all were at the very least knowledgeable or John. Now we should look at one more line of thought. If this is true and it seems to be, then might part of the smoothing of the way that John was to do, have been the pre-training of the twelve. John’s ministry would have brought them to purity of life and started them on their spiritual journey with the Lord even before He had appeared on the scene.
Fuente: Mr. D’s Notes on Selected New Testament Books by Stanley Derickson
1:19 {9} And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the [son] of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.
(9) The calling of James and John.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Jesus then issued the same call to two similar brothers with the same response. All four men were evidently partners in the fishing business (cf. Luk 5:7; Luk 5:10). James and John had also come to believe that Jesus was the Messiah (Joh 1:35-42). Mark recorded more about their decision to follow Jesus than he did about Simon and Andrew’s. James (Jacob in Hebrew) and John broke family ties to follow Jesus. The mention of hired men suggests that Zebedee owned a prosperous business that James and John left. It also shows that these brothers did not leave their father all alone; they were not being irresponsible. The main point, however, is the immediacy of their response to Jesus. This reflects Jesus’ great authority over people. James and John were Jesus’ cousins (cf. Mat 27:55-56; Mar 15:40; Joh 19:25). However, they did not yet know that He was also God.
"Noteworthy is that the call of each pair of brothers conforms to an identical pattern, to wit: (a) Underway, (b) Jesus sees the brothers, (c) calls them, and (d) immediately they go after him. By means of this pattern, Mark sets forth the nature and purpose of discipleship.
"The nature of discipleship is joining oneself to Jesus in total allegiance. . . .
"The purpose of discipleship is announced by Jesus in his call to Simon and Andrew: ’Come after me, and I shall make you become fishers of men’ (Mar 1:17). Plainly, discipleship has ’mission work’ as its purpose. Striking is the universal nature of the mission Jesus envisages." [Note: Kingsbury, pp. 90, 91.]
"Except perhaps for Judas, the disciples do not greatly influence the plot, or course of events, in Mark’s story. . . .
"Though a group, the disciples plainly stand out as a single character.
". . . the many traits the disciples exhibit spring from two conflicting traits: The disciples are at once ’loyal’ and ’uncomprehending.’ On the one hand, the disciples are ’loyal’: Jesus summons them to follow him and they immediately leave behind their former way of life and give him their total allegiance. On the other hand, the disciples are ’uncomprehending’: Understanding fully neither the identity nor the destiny of Jesus and not at all the essential meaning of discipleship, they forsake Jesus during his passion." [Note: Ibid., pp. 8, 9.]