Mar 1:16-20 | RWP | e4.org | And passing along by the Sea of Galilee ( κα παραγων παρα την θαλασσαν της Γαλιλαιας ). Mark uses παρα (along, beside) twice and makes the picture realistic. He catches this glimpse of Christ in action. Casting a net ( αμφιβαλλοντας ). Literally casting on both sides, now on one side, now on the other. Matthew ( ) has a different phrase which see. There are two papyri examples of the verb αμφιβαλλω , one verb absolutely for fishing as here, the other with the accusative. It is fishing with a net, making a cast, a haul. These four disciples were fishermen ( αλιεις ) and were partners ( μετοχο ) as Luke states ( ).

‏ Mark 1:16-20

And passing along by the Sea of Galilee ( κα παραγων παρα την θαλασσαν της Γαλιλαιας ). Mark uses παρα (along, beside) twice and makes the picture realistic. He catches this glimpse of Christ in action. Casting a

net ( αμφιβαλλοντας ). Literally casting on both sides, now on one side, now on the other. Matthew (Mt 4:18) has a different phrase which see. There are two papyri examples of the verb αμφιβαλλω, one verb absolutely for fishing as here, the other with the accusative. It is fishing with a net, making a cast, a haul. These four disciples were fishermen ( αλιεις ) and were

partners ( μετοχο ) as Luke states (Lu 5:7).

Become ( γενεσθα ). Mark has this word not in Matthew. It would be a slow and long process, but Jesus could and would do it. He would undertake to make fishers of men out of fishermen. Preachers are made out of laymen who are willing to leave their business for service for Christ.

A little further ( ολιγον ). A Marcan detail.

Mending their nets ( καταρτιζοντας τα δικτυα ). See on Mt 4:21. Getting ready that they might succeed better at the next haul.

With the hired servants ( μετα των μισθωτων ). One hired for wages ( μισθος ), a very old Greek word. Zebedee and his two sons evidently had an extensive business in co-operation with Andrew and Simon (Lu 5:7, 10). Mark alone has this detail of the hired servants left with Zebedee. They left the boat and their father (Mt 4:22) with the hired servants. The business would go on while they left all (Lu 5:11) and became permanent followers of Jesus. Many a young man has faced precisely this problem when he entered the ministry. Could he leave father and mother, brothers and sisters, while he went forth to college and seminary to become a fisher of men? Not the least of the sacrifices made in the education of young preachers is that made by the home folks who have additional burdens to bear because the young preacher is no longer a bread-winner at home. Most young preachers joyfully carry on such burdens after entering the ministry.