Mark 1:20 kjv

And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.

Mark 1:20 nkjv

And immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after Him.

Mark 1:20 niv

Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

Mark 1:20 esv

And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.

Mark 1:20 nlt

He called them at once, and they also followed him, leaving their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired men.

Mark 1 verses

Mark 1 20 Meaning

Mark 1:20 signifies the decisive and immediate response of James and John to Jesus' call. It illustrates their radical act of leaving behind their secure livelihood, family connections, and financial stability—represented by their father Zebedee and the hired servants—to follow Jesus unconditionally. This verse highlights that genuine discipleship involves a complete reorientation of life, placing Christ's call above all earthly comforts and allegiances.

Mark 1 20 Context

Mark chapter 1 introduces Jesus' public ministry after His baptism and temptation. Following John the Baptist's preparatory work, Jesus proclaims the nearness of the Kingdom of God and calls for repentance. Verses 16-19 describe the calling of the first pair of brothers, Simon and Andrew, who immediately abandon their fishing nets to follow Jesus. Verse 20 provides the parallel account of the second pair, James and John. The setting in Galilee underscores Jesus' reach to ordinary people, not just the religious elite. This sequence highlights Jesus' authority, the urgency of His message, and the radical, immediate response demanded of His first disciples. This prompt obedience of all four fishermen sets the precedent for discipleship throughout the Gospel of Mark.

Mark 1 20 Word analysis

• And immediately (Καὶ εὐθύς - Kai euthys):
  • euthys (εὐθύς): This adverb is a hallmark of Mark's Gospel, used over 40 times. It conveys a sense of urgency, swiftness, and immediacy. It highlights that the disciples' response to Jesus' call was without hesitation or delay, emphasizing the compelling nature of Jesus' authority and the decisive break with their past.
• He called (ἐκάλεσεν - ekalesen):
  • From kaleō (καλέω): This verb denotes a powerful, sovereign invitation or summons. It is not merely an offer but an authoritative call from Jesus, implying a divine initiative to select and appoint. It underscores Jesus' supreme authority to gather those He chooses for His purpose.
• them:
  • Refers to James and John, sons of Zebedee, as introduced in the preceding verse.
• and they left (καὶ ἀφέντες - kai aphentes):
  • From aphiēmi (ἀφίημι): An aorist participle, indicating a completed, decisive action of abandonment or forsaking. This is a crucial aspect of discipleship, signifying a radical detachment from one's former life, including profession, possessions, and even primary family obligations, for the sake of following Christ.
• their father Zebedee:
  • This detail is significant. In ancient society, familial ties were paramount, and leaving one's family, especially a parent who might be dependent or rely on the children for their business, was an immense sacrifice. It underscores the absolute priority Jesus demands in a disciple's life, even over foundational social and familial duties.
• in the boat:
  • Their livelihood and source of financial security. Abandoning the boat signifies leaving their established profession, comfort, and means of provision to enter an unknown path, relying completely on Jesus.
• with the hired servants (μετὰ τῶν μισθωτῶν - meta tōn misthōtōn):
  • misthōtoi (μισθωτοί): This specific detail reveals that Zebedee's fishing operation was substantial enough to employ additional labor, indicating that the family was likely prosperous and successful, not merely subsistence fishermen. This magnifies the sacrifice made by James and John, as they were forsaking not poverty or a failing enterprise, but a secure and probably thriving business. It underlines that discipleship demands letting go of material security, even when it is abundant.
• and followed Him (καὶ ἀπηκολούθησαν ὀπίσω αὐτοῦ - kai apēkolouthēsan opisō autou):
  • From akoloutheō (ἀκολουθέω): Signifies physically walking after someone, but in a spiritual sense, it means to become an adherent, to commit oneself to the leadership, teachings, and mission of another. This is the essence of being a disciple: committing to Jesus' guidance and joining His redemptive mission.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And immediately He called them": This phrase emphasizes the divine initiative and authority of Jesus. His call is immediate and commanding, demanding a swift, decisive response, with no room for hesitation or deferral.
• "and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants": This section precisely articulates the profound nature of their sacrifice. It encapsulates abandoning their core family unit (father Zebedee), their secure profession (the boat), and their material comfort and future (hired servants indicating wealth). This demonstrates that following Christ requires setting aside everything that competes for ultimate allegiance, including foundational societal expectations and personal security.
• "and followed Him": This concludes the account of their call and response by stating their ultimate action. It defines their new identity and purpose—no longer fishers of fish, but individuals who have completely dedicated themselves to Christ's mission and leadership, signifying the transformative act of discipleship.

Mark 1 20 Bonus section

• The willingness to leave family, as seen in this verse, became a key marker of radical commitment in the early Christian movement, signifying the new spiritual family that supersedes natural ties when there is a conflict of allegiance.
• This call, similar to those of Old Testament prophets like Elisha, underscores that following God often involves a direct, immediate, and profound disruption of one's established life path and priorities.
• The narrative subtly emphasizes Jesus' active role in calling His disciples, rather than passively awaiting volunteers. He initiates, commands, and they respond.
• The immediate response of all four fishermen (Simon, Andrew, James, and John) collectively sets the foundation for Jesus' core apostolic group, establishing a precedent of radical obedience that characterized early Christian commitment.

Mark 1 20 Commentary

Mark 1:20 vividly illustrates the radical nature of Jesus' call and the unwavering commitment required of true disciples. Following the parallel account of Simon and Andrew, this verse highlights James and John's immediate and unconditional surrender to Jesus' summons. The "immediately" (Greek: euthys) so characteristic of Mark, underscores the divine urgency and the decisive, unquestioning obedience of the future apostles. Their act of "leaving" everything—their livelihood, their means of support, and profoundly, their familial ties to Zebedee—demonstrates a foundational principle of discipleship: Jesus' call takes precedence over all other allegiances, be they vocational, social, or familial. The specific detail of "hired servants" indicates Zebedee's relative prosperity, elevating their sacrifice from a mere necessity to a choice of great personal cost. They were not abandoning destitution but security, thereby amplifying the strength of their faith and commitment. This scene establishes a blueprint for future followers: genuine discipleship necessitates an abandonment of former comforts and identities, embracing a life fully surrendered to Jesus' leadership and His mission to "fish for men."