Mark 1:16 kjv

Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

Mark 1:16 nkjv

And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.

Mark 1:16 niv

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 esv

Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.

Mark 1:16 nlt

One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living.

Mark 1 verses

Mark 1 16 Meaning

Mark 1:16 narrates Jesus' encounter with Simon (Peter) and Andrew, the first of His disciples to be called. While walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw them, brothers by blood and partners in the fishing trade, casting their net into the water. This verse concisely establishes their livelihood as fishermen, providing the immediate context for Jesus' transformative call in the subsequent verses to become "fishers of men." It signifies the commencement of Jesus' public ministry by selecting His closest companions from the humble and common populace of Galilee, underscoring His initiative and purposeful engagement with ordinary lives.

Mark 1 16 Context

Mark's Gospel begins with an emphasis on immediacy, dynamism, and action, establishing Jesus' identity and mission quickly. Mark 1:16 follows the declaration of John the Baptist (Mk 1:2-8), Jesus' baptism (Mk 1:9-11), His temptation in the wilderness (Mk 1:12-13), and the summary of His early ministry preaching repentance in Galilee after John's arrest (Mk 1:14-15). This verse marks the tangible start of Jesus' public ministry and the gathering of His inner circle. By calling ordinary fishermen, Jesus begins to assemble His disciples not from the religious elite or scholarly class, but from the everyday working people of a region often seen as less significant culturally by Judean standards. The setting, the Sea of Galilee, is critical as much of Jesus' early ministry and miracles took place around this area, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy about light shining in "Galilee of the Gentiles" (Isa 9:1-2).

Mark 1 16 Word analysis

• καὶ (kai): Greek for "and." In Mark's Gospel, kai euthys (and immediately) is a recurrent feature, contributing to its fast-paced, action-oriented narrative. Here, kai connects the preceding declaration of Jesus' mission (Mk 1:14-15) directly to the calling of His first disciples, maintaining the sense of momentum.
• παράγων (paragōn): Greek, a present active participle meaning "passing by," "passing alongside." It implies Jesus' active and deliberate movement. He wasn't static; He was moving with a purpose, specifically engaging with those He encountered in their daily work. This suggests His intentionality in finding and calling these men.
• παρὰ (para): Greek preposition meaning "by," "beside," "near." Locates Jesus precisely in relation to the geographical feature.
• τὴν θάλασσαν (tēn thalassan): Greek for "the sea." This specifically refers to the Sea of Galilee, known also as Lake of Gennesaret or Tiberias. For a fishing community, the sea was central to life and livelihood. The imagery of the sea can also symbolize the chaotic Gentile world, from which Jesus draws out individuals for His kingdom.
• τῆς Γαλιλαίας (tēs Galilaias): Greek for "of Galilee." Galilee was a region in northern Israel, culturally and geographically distinct from Judea. It was seen by some in Judea as less refined or "pure." Jesus beginning His ministry and selecting disciples from here underscores His broad reach, defying societal expectations and fulfilling ancient prophecies (Isa 9:1-2) of a light coming to this overlooked region.
• εἶδεν (eiden): Greek for "he saw." This is a strong verb indicating more than just casual observation; it suggests a deep perception or recognition. Jesus saw Simon and Andrew with a divine awareness of their purpose and potential. It emphasizes Christ's divine initiative in calling them.
• Σίμωνα (Simōna) & Ἀνδρέαν (Andrean): Simon, who would later be called Peter, and his brother Andrew. Their individual identities are important. Andrew is noted as Simon's brother, highlighting a family connection and established social unit that Jesus purposefully disrupted/reordered by His call. They were real people with established lives.
• τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ (ton adelphon autou): Greek for "his brother." This phrase underlines their fraternal relationship. The call of Jesus, while individual, also had implications for existing family structures, challenging loyalties and inviting a new spiritual family (Mk 3:31-35).
• βάλλοντας (ballontas): Greek, present active participle meaning "casting," "throwing." It describes their active work. They were engaged in their profession.
• ἀμφίβληστρον (amphibléstron): Greek for "a casting net" or "dragnet." This refers to a specific type of net, often small and circular, used by a single fisherman from shore or a small boat. This detail identifies their particular method of fishing, and provides context for the upcoming metaphor.
• εἰς τὴν θάλασσαν (eis tēn thalassan): Greek for "into the sea." Their act of livelihood, casting nets into the very water Jesus was passing by.
• ἦσαν γὰρ ἁλεεῖς (ēsan gar haleeis): Greek, "for they were fishermen." The explanatory particle gar ("for") clarifies why they were casting nets. This humble profession sets the stage for the powerful re-assignment Jesus is about to give them – transforming them from catchers of fish to catchers of men. The choice of haleeis, indicating skilled workers of the sea, suggests their proficiency in their trade. This proficiency will be repurposed for spiritual ends.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And passing alongside the sea of Galilee": Establishes the setting and Jesus' active presence in the very mundane spaces of everyday life. Jesus does not wait for people in synagogues but meets them where they are working. This geographical focus also underscores the fulfillment of OT prophecy about the light shining in Galilee (Isa 9:1-2).
• "he saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of him": Emphasizes Jesus' purposeful seeing and selection. He chooses individuals, but also a brotherhood. Their bond suggests they were already partners in life and work, forming a foundation for their future partnership in ministry. The reference to Simon's brother connects this passage to future developments involving Simon Peter prominently in the Gospel.
• "casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen": Provides critical context. This detail paints a vivid picture of their everyday life and identifies their specific trade. It sets the foundation for the profound metaphor of becoming "fishers of men" in the next verse, repurposing their earthly profession for a spiritual kingdom mission. It highlights the humble origins of Jesus' first chosen disciples, illustrating God's pattern of using the ordinary for extraordinary purposes (1 Cor 1:26-29).

Mark 1 16 Bonus section

• The Gospel of Mark is characterized by its vivid, fast-paced style, often using "immediately" (εὐθύς, euthys) to link events. While euthys does not appear in Mark 1:16 itself, the entire narrative context, particularly the swift action and direct call (Mk 1:17-18), reflects this urgent Johannine style, creating a sense of rapid, decisive unfolding of God's plan.
• The choice of Galilee as the starting point of Jesus' ministry holds significant biblical and historical weight. Beyond fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy, it emphasized that the Gospel would go to all people, including those considered "outsiders" by some segments of society. This contrasted with the centralized religious authority of Jerusalem and highlighted Jesus' inclusive and groundbreaking mission.
• The transition from "fishing for fish" to "fishing for men" (implied in this verse's setup and explicit in the next) is not just a change of profession but a radical reorientation of one's entire being. It signifies a shift from physical sustenance and earthly concerns to a mission centered on spiritual harvesting and the eternal welfare of souls, reflecting a new identity and purpose given by Christ.

Mark 1 16 Commentary

Mark 1:16, while seemingly simple, encapsulates profound theological themes. It showcases Jesus' divine initiative: He is not seeking permission or participation, but actively seeing and calling. His movement "passing alongside" denotes a purposeful mission, not a casual stroll. The setting on the Sea of Galilee and the occupation of fishermen underscore Jesus' approach: He starts His revolution not from the religious elite in Jerusalem, but among common, working people in a provincially perceived region. Simon and Andrew's livelihood is detailed—casting a net. This mundane reality becomes the raw material for Jesus' grand metaphor in the following verse. This choice of ordinary individuals signifies God's power made perfect in weakness, elevating the common to sacred purpose. The directness of Jesus' gaze and call points to an undeniable, authoritative summons that would demand an immediate response and total life redirection. This verse is the precursor to a profound transformation, moving lives from mundane daily grind to eternal purpose.