MARK 1:16–20, THE CALL OF THE FIRST DISCIPLES
FROM FISHING NETS TO THE KINGDOM’S MISSION
Introduction
Immediately after Jesus announces in Galilee, “Repent, and believe in the gospel,” Mark shows what that response looks like in real life. The Kingdom is not only a message to admire; it is a summons that demands decision. So Jesus begins His succession plan for the continuation of His mission by calling disciples—ordinary workers, in the midst of their daily labor. This passage reveals how the Gospel creates a new priority: leaving lesser securities to follow Christ, and becoming instruments through whom He gathers people into God’s Kingdom.
Bible Passage (Mark 1:16–20)
As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Then they abandoned their nets and followed him. He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him.
Background
Mark’s Gospel opens with rapid movement: John prepares, Jesus is baptized, Jesus is tested, Jesus proclaims the Gospel, and now Jesus calls disciples. The call of the first disciples flows directly from the proclamation of the Kingdom (Mark 1:14–15). If the Kingdom is “at hand,” it needs heralds. God’s saving plan always includes human cooperation—prophets, apostles, missionaries, and faithful disciples in every generation. The Old Testament had foretold a gathering of God’s scattered people; Jeremiah’s image of “fishermen” hints at the Lord sending agents to gather His people back (Jer 16:16). Jesus fulfills this gathering not with nets for fish, but with the net of the Gospel.
Opening Life Connection
Many people desire a meaningful life, but hesitate when meaning requires sacrifice. We often want Christ’s blessings without the cost of discipleship—keeping one hand on the Gospel and one hand on our “nets”: career plans, comfort, reputation, possessions, or control. This passage speaks to that struggle. Jesus calls while we are busy, and His call is not simply to add religion to our schedule, but to reorder life around Him.
Verse-by-Verse / Phrase-by-Phrase Reflection
“As he passed by the Sea of Galilee”
Jesus begins His team not in Jerusalem among the religious elite, but along the shoreline among workers. God often chooses people who are teachable, hardworking, and available, rather than those who appear impressive. The mission begins in the ordinary places where people live and labor.
“he saw Simon and his brother Andrew”
Jesus’ call is personal. He “sees” them—not merely their work, but their potential, their future, their wounds, and their gifts. Simon (later Peter) will become a leader; Andrew will become a quiet bringer of others to Jesus. The Church needs both: outspoken witnesses and humble introducers.
“casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen”
Jesus calls them in the middle of work, not after they have finished. Discipleship is not for those who have “free time,” but for those willing to let Christ enter their real life. Their profession becomes the metaphor for their future mission.
“Come after me”
Discipleship begins with relationship and movement. Jesus does not say first, “Learn a program,” but “Follow me.” Christianity is first a following—walking behind the Master, learning His mind, His prayer, His compassion, and His obedience.
“and I will make you fishers of men”
They will not manufacture holiness by themselves. Jesus says, “I will make you.” He forms disciples into apostles. Their skills—patience, endurance, teamwork, risk-taking—will be purified and redirected toward saving souls. Evangelization is not manipulation; it is gathering people into the life of God.
“Then they abandoned their nets and followed him”
Their response is immediate and costly. Nets represent livelihood and security. They do not negotiate or postpone. This is not irresponsibility; it is recognition of a greater treasure. The Kingdom demands first place.
“He walked along a little farther and saw James… and his brother John… mending their nets”
Jesus calls another pair, also at work. “Mending” suggests readiness for the next day’s labor; Jesus interrupts ordinary plans with a higher vocation. God’s call often meets us when we are preparing for “more of the same,” and then He opens a new future.
“Then he called them”
The call is Jesus’ initiative. Like Abraham and the prophets, they are summoned by God’s voice. Vocation is never self-appointed; it is received. Even today, every Christian vocation begins with God’s invitation.
“So they left their father Zebedee… along with the hired men”
This shows the real sacrifice: leaving family structures and economic stability. The presence of hired men indicates a functioning business; they are not desperate men escaping failure, but men leaving something valuable for something greater. Discipleship sometimes requires difficult detachments, always for a larger communion.
“and followed him”
Mark repeats the key word. The goal is not merely to “help Jesus,” but to belong to Him, to be with Him, and to be formed by Him for mission. Later, Peter, James, and John will form an inner circle at decisive moments—Jairus’ daughter, the Transfiguration, Gethsemane—because closeness to Jesus strengthens mission.
Jewish Historical and Religious Context
In Jewish life, rabbis typically attracted disciples who chose their teacher. Jesus reverses the pattern: He calls whom He wills. The imagery of “fishing” resonates with prophetic language about God gathering His scattered people and with the hope of Israel’s restoration. Fishing on the Sea of Galilee was a major trade; families worked together, and the work demanded stamina, patience, and skill—qualities suited for apostolic mission in a hostile world.
Catholic Tradition and Teaching
The Church understands discipleship as a baptismal identity: through Baptism we are incorporated into Christ, and through Confirmation we are strengthened by the Holy Spirit for witness. The call of the first disciples becomes the pattern of every vocation—lay, ordained, and consecrated. Christ continues to call people to priesthood, religious life, and dedicated lay ministry for the building up of the Church. All vocations share one center: following Jesus and participating in His mission.
Historical or Saintly Illustration
Saint Francis of Assisi heard Christ’s call and gradually “left his nets”—wealth, social status, and comfort—to follow Christ in radical simplicity and mission. His renunciation was not contempt for creation but freedom for the Kingdom. Like the Galilean fishermen, he discovered that letting go of lesser securities makes room for God’s greater work.
Application to Christian Life Today
Jesus still calls disciples in workplaces, homes, schools, and parishes. Many are not asked to leave their job physically, but all are asked to leave behind what keeps them from full obedience: sinful habits, pride, comfort-seeking, injustice, and fear of witness. Families can cultivate discipleship by teaching children that faith is not an accessory but a vocation. Parishes should actively promote vocations and support missionaries, priests, religious, and lay evangelizers through prayer and practical help. Each believer must ask: what “net” am I clinging to that keeps me from following Christ more freely?
Eucharistic Connection
At Mass, the same Jesus who called fishermen calls us again: “Come after me.” The Eucharist forms us into the Body of Christ and feeds us for mission. We receive the Lord not to remain on the shore of comfort, but to become “fishers of men”—people who carry Christ into families, neighborhoods, and the world. The altar strengthens the surrender that discipleship requires.
Messages / Call to Conversion
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Jesus calls ordinary people in ordinary work—be attentive to His voice in daily life.
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Discipleship requires detachment: identify and surrender the “nets” that compete with Christ.
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Trust formation: Jesus says, “I will make you”—cooperate with His Church and His grace.
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Support vocations and missionaries with prayer, encouragement, and material help.
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Make a practical resolution: one concrete step this week to follow Jesus more closely (time for prayer, service, reconciliation, evangelizing conversation, or parish ministry).
Outline for Preachers
• Background within the Gospel
• Life connection: security versus surrender
• Key verses and phrases explained: call, follow, fishers of men, leaving nets
• Jewish context: rabbinic discipleship, fishing culture, prophetic gathering imagery
• Catholic teaching: baptismal discipleship, vocations, mission of the Church
• Saintly illustration of leaving “nets” for Christ
• Application to life today: priorities, vocation support, evangelization
• Eucharistic connection: Communion forms and sends disciples
• Key messages and call to conversion
