Going on a little further from there, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John, his brother, who were also in the boat mending the nets.
Parallel Translations
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Going on a little further from there, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John, his brother, who were also in the boat mending the nets.
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And when he had gone a lytell further thence he sawe Iames the sonne of zebede and Ihon his brother even as they were in the shyppe mendinge their nettes.
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And when hee had gone a litle further thence, he sawe Iames the sonne of Zebedeus, and Iohn his brother, as they were in the ship, mending their nets.
Cross-references (8)
Passages linked to Mark 1:19 in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, ordered by reader-vote popularity; verse text shown in World English Bible.
- Matthew 4:21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them.
- Mark 3:17 James the son of Zebedee; and John, the brother of James, (whom he called Boanerges, which means, Sons of Thunder);
- Mark 5:37 He allowed no one to follow him, except Peter, James, and John the brother of James.
- Mark 9:2 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John, and brought them up onto a high mountain privately by themselves, and he was changed into another form in front of them.
- Mark 10:35 James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came near to him, saying, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we will ask.”
- Mark 14:33 He took with him Peter, James, and John, and began to be greatly troubled and distressed.
- Acts 1:13 When they had come in, they went up into the upper room where they were staying; that is Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James.
- Acts 12:2 He killed James, the brother of John, with the sword.
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this verse (9 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
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Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain The calling of James and John.
The calling of James and John.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain 19 And when he had gone a little further…
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"}
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain And when he had gone a little further thence,....…
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:
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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 Gill on Mat 4:21.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain § 23. — RETIREMENT INTO GALILEE, Mar_1:14.
§ 23. — RETIREMENT INTO GALILEE, Mar_1:14.
§ 24. — MINISTRY IN GALILEE, Mar_1:14-15.
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§ 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.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain 19. James the son of Zebedee] Two brothers had…
19. James the son of Zebedee] Two brothers had already been called and two more were now to join them.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain Vers. 19, 20. The calling of James and John,…
Vers. 19, 20. The calling of James and John, the sons of Zebedee. St. Mark hero mentions that they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants (meta twn misywtwn). This mention of the "hired servants" is peculiar to St. Mark. He often follows the narrative of St. Matthew; but he adds little details such as this, here and there, which show that he knew St. Matthew"s narrative to be true, and also that he was an independent witness. This circumstance here incidentally mentioned shows that there was a difference in position in life between Zebedee"s family and that of Simon and Andrew. It appears that all Jews had free right of fishing in the sea of Galilee, which abounded in fish. Zebedee, therefore, whose home seems to have been at Jerusalem, had a fishing establishment in Galilee, probably managed by his partners, Andrew and Simon, during his absence. But he would naturally visit the establishment from time to time With his sons, and especially before the great festivals, when a larger supply of fish than usual would be required for the visitors crowding to Jerusalem at that time. (See "Speaker"s Commentary.")
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain And when He had gone a little farther thence,…
Mar_1:19-20
And when He had gone a little farther thence, He saw James.
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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.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 in the boat
in the boat
It can be assumed that this boat belongs to James and John. AT: "in their boat" (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
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mending the nets
"repairing the nets"
called them
It may be helpful to state clearly why Jesus called to James and John. AT: "called them to come with him" (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
hired servants
"servants who worked for them"
they followed him
James and John went with Jesus.
translationWords
Jesus
James (son of Zebedee)
Zebedee
John (the apostle)
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 1:19-20 Zebedee’s sons . . . leaving their father:…
1:19-20 Zebedee’s sons . . . leaving their father: Jesus later taught that this is the kind of thing that his followers will do (8:34-35; Matt 10:37-39).
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.