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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Mark 1:14-22

Here is, I. A general account of Christ's preaching in Galilee. John gives an account of his preaching in Judea, before this (John 2:1-3:36), which the other evangelists had omitted, who chiefly relate what occurred in Galilee, because that was least known at Jerusalem. Observe, 1. When Jesus began to preach in Galilee; After that John was put in prison. When he had finished his testimony, then Jesus began his. Note, The silencing of Christ's ministers shall not be the suppressing of Christ's... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Mark 1:16-20

1:16-20 While he was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew, Simon's brother, casting their nets into the sea, for they were fishermen. So Jesus said to them, "Follow me! and I will make you fishers of men." And immediately they left their nets and followed him. He went a little farther and he saw James, the son of Zebedee, and John, his brother, who were in their boat, mending their nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat, with the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 1:19

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: 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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 1:20

And straightway he called them ,.... As soon as he saw them; for he was looking out for them, having appointed them long before to the service he now called them to; and they left their father Zebedee with the hired servants, and went after him . It might seem unnatural, had they left their father alone in the ship, to have taken the care and management of it, and therefore it is added, "with the hired servants"; who were hired for that purpose, to assist in mending the nets, and casting... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 1:14-20

The fishers of men. An interval of time elapses, the incidents of which, momentous in the great history, are recorded in the other Gospels, e.g. John's testimony to the Lamb of God ( John 1:19-34 ), the gathering of the first disciples ( John 1:35-51 ), the marriage at Cane ( John 2:1-12 ), the cleansing of the temple ( John 2:13-25 ), the conversation with Nicodemus ( John 3:1-21 ). "Now after that John was delivered up, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 1:16-20

Fishers of men. It was an incident of great moment in the history of Christianity and of the world—this, the calling by our Lord Jesus of his followers and apostles. Christ did not mike many converts; but the few he did make made many, so that, in selecting and appointing them, he was sowing the seed of a great and eternal harvest. He probably called these four more than once—first during the ministry of the forerunner, again as in the text, and a third time when he commissioned them... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 1:16-20

The call of the disciples; or, work and higher work. I. ORDINARY WORK OF MEN AND THE EXTRAORDINARY ARE ( HERE ) PUT IN THE SAME LINE . It is no small presumption in favor of Christ's divinity that he chose common men—workmen—for his intimate disciples. What link could there be between the transcendent task of the apostleship and that mean calling in which they were engaged? He alone saw a connection, and not a merely fanciful one. He indicated it and proceeded... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 1:16-20

Call of disciples. I. CALLING MEANS SEPARATION . We cannot prove any calling without separation. The merchant must separate himself from the easy-chair and the book, the student from society, the soldier from home. One main object is enough for most men. Few can properly pursue the ministry and business at the same time. II. THE CALLING IMPLIES A CALLER . Not our fancy, whim, passion, but Divine will. To some that will is made known clearly and directly; they cannot... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 1:16-20

Parallel passages: Matthew 4:18-22 ; Luke 5:1-11 .— The call of the first four disciples. I. PREVIOUS AND LESS FORMAL CALL . Our Lord now calls to his side the first four disciples—Andrew and John, Peter and James. With the former pair he had already made acquaintance when they were disciples of John the Baptist. The account which St. John in his Gospel gives of the matter is complementary, and throws light on it, enabling us to understand more clearly how it was that these... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 1:19-20

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 ( μετὰ τῶν μισθωτῶν ) . 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... read more

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