Mark 1:17

KJV

And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} Jesus {G2424} said {G2036} unto them {G846}, Come ye {G1205} after {G3694} me {G3450}, and {G2532} I will make {G4160} you {G5209} to become {G1096} fishers {G231} of men {G444}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yeshua said to them, "Come, follow me, and I will make you into fishers for men!"

Berean Standard Bible

“Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”

American Standard Version

And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 1:17 captures Jesus' foundational call to His first disciples, Simon, Andrew, James, and John, by the Sea of Galilee. This pivotal moment transforms their established lives as fishermen, inviting them into a new, radical purpose: to follow Him and be divinely equipped to "fish for men." It encapsulates the essence of Christian discipleship as a call to personal allegiance, spiritual transformation, and active participation in the mission of gathering souls into God's kingdom.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Jesus' initial encounter with Simon (Peter) and Andrew, and subsequently James and John, by the Sea of Galilee ([Mark 1:16-20](/mark/1-16-20 "Mark 1:16-20 - The Calling of the First Disciples")). This calling narrative is strategically placed after Jesus' baptism, temptation, and the commencement of His public ministry with the proclamation of the kingdom of God and the call to repentance ([Mark 1:14-15](/mark/1-14-15 "Mark 1:14-15 - Jesus Begins His Ministry")). It marks the transition from Jesus' solitary ministry to the establishment of His core group of followers, who would become the foundation of His earthly mission. The swift and immediate response of the disciples, leaving their nets and livelihoods, underscores the compelling authority and urgency of Jesus' call, setting the tone for the radical commitment required of His followers throughout Mark's Gospel.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In 1st-century Galilee, fishing was a common and essential industry, particularly around the Sea of Galilee (also known as Lake Gennesaret or Tiberias). Fishermen like Simon, Andrew, James, and John were skilled laborers, often working in family-owned businesses, which provided a stable livelihood. Their lives were deeply intertwined with the rhythms of the lake, the casting of nets, and the selling of their catch. The call to abandon such a secure profession to follow an itinerant rabbi was a profound and counter-cultural act. Rabbis typically had disciples who sought them out; here, Jesus actively seeks and calls His disciples, demonstrating His unique authority. The metaphor of "fishing" would have been immediately comprehensible to these men, grounding a new spiritual mission in their familiar professional experience.

* **Key Themes:** Mark 1:17 contributes significantly to several key themes within Mark's Gospel and the broader New Testament. Firstly, it highlights the **sovereign call of Jesus**, demonstrating His initiative in choosing and commissioning His disciples, rather than them choosing Him. This divine election is a recurring motif, emphasizing God's active involvement in salvation history. Secondly, it introduces the theme of **radical discipleship**, where following Jesus demands immediate and costly abandonment of former ways of life for a new purpose. This call to self-denial and cross-bearing is central to Jesus' teaching, as seen later in passages like [Mark 8:34](/mark/8-34 "Mark 8:34 - Taking Up the Cross"). Thirdly, the verse establishes the **missional purpose of the disciples' calling**, transforming them from "fishers of fish" to "fishers of men." This new vocation is inherently evangelistic, foreshadowing the global mandate to spread the Gospel, which culminates in the [Great Commission](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission") given to the apostles.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Come ye (Greek, _deûte'_):** Derived from "come hither," this imperative verb functions as a direct, urgent invitation and command from Jesus. It signifies a summons to immediate physical and spiritual proximity, demanding a decisive response and a reorientation of one's life towards following Him. It's not a suggestion but an authoritative call to action.
* **make (Greek, _poiéō'_):** This verb denotes an active, creative, and purposeful action. When Jesus says "I will make," it emphasizes His divine agency and transformative power. It implies that the disciples' new identity and mission as "fishers of men" will not be self-achieved but will be a direct result of Jesus' work in and through them, shaping and equipping them for their new purpose.
* **fishers (Greek, _halieús'_):** Directly meaning "a fisher" or "fisherman," this word is crucial for the central metaphor. It connects the disciples' former profession to their new spiritual calling. The term implies skill, patience, strategic effort, and a focus on gathering, directly paralleling the work of evangelism and discipleship in drawing people into God's kingdom.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Jesus said unto them,"**: This opening clause establishes Jesus' divine authority and initiative. He is the one speaking, issuing a direct command and invitation. The "them" refers specifically to Simon and Andrew (and implicitly James and John, who are called immediately after in Mark 1:19-20), highlighting the personal nature of His call to these specific individuals.
* **"Come ye after me,"**: This is a direct, imperative command to follow Jesus. It signifies more than just physical proximity; it demands allegiance, obedience, and a radical reorientation of their lives, putting Jesus at the center. It implies leaving their former way of life (their nets, their trade, their security) to embark on a new path defined by Christ.
* **"and I will make you to become fishers of men."**: This is Jesus' transformative promise and the declaration of their new purpose. The phrase "I will make you to become" underscores that this transformation is a divine work, not something they achieve through their own effort. The metaphor "fishers of men" repurposes their existing professional skill for a spiritual mission, signifying the gathering of people into God's kingdom through the proclamation of the Gospel, rescuing them from spiritual lostness.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 1:17 is rich in **Metaphor**, which is the primary literary device. Jesus employs the familiar imagery of "fishers" to describe the disciples' new spiritual vocation. This metaphor is highly effective because it directly relates to the disciples' former profession, making the abstract concept of evangelism tangible and understandable. Just as literal fishermen cast nets to gather fish for sustenance, these "fishers of men" are called to "catch" people for eternal life, drawing them out of the "sea" of spiritual lostness and into the safety and community of God's kingdom. The transformation from fishing for perishable fish to fishing for immortal souls highlights the profound shift in purpose and the eternal significance of their new mission. The immediate and radical response of the disciples also exemplifies **Dramatic Irony** and **Foreshadowing**, as they likely did not fully grasp the immense implications of what it meant to "fish for men" at that moment, yet their immediate obedience foreshadows the global impact their future ministry would have.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 1:17 stands as a foundational text for understanding Christian discipleship and mission. Theologically, it underscores the **sovereignty of God in calling individuals** into His service, emphasizing that the initiative always rests with Him. It also highlights the **transformative power of Jesus**, who not only calls but also equips and empowers His followers for their new purpose. The transition from "fishers of fish" to "fishers of men" signifies a profound reorientation of life from earthly pursuits to eternal ones, demonstrating that all human skills and vocations can be consecrated and repurposed for God's redemptive plan. This verse encapsulates the essence of the Great Commission, showing that evangelism is not merely an activity but an intrinsic part of the identity of those who truly follow Christ. It challenges believers to consider how their own lives, talents, and resources can be leveraged for the spiritual harvest.

* [Matthew 4:19](/matthew/4-19 "Matthew 4:19 - Jesus Calls Fishers of Men")
* [Luke 5:10](/luke/5-10 "Luke 5:10 - Peter's Call to Fish for Men")
* [Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 1:17 offers profound insights for contemporary believers, inviting us to examine the nature of our own discipleship. Just as Jesus issued a direct, personal call to the Galilean fishermen, He continues to call individuals today to follow Him with wholehearted devotion. This verse challenges us to consider what "nets"—whether they be careers, comforts, relationships, or personal ambitions—we might need to "leave" in order to fully embrace His call. It reassures us that the transformation required for effective ministry is not self-generated but is a divine work: "I will make you." Our role is to respond in obedience and availability, trusting that Jesus will equip us for the unique mission He has for each of us. The call to be "fishers of men" remains a timeless mandate, urging us to actively participate in sharing the hope of the Gospel, using our God-given talents and spheres of influence to draw others into a saving relationship with Christ. This requires both courage to speak and compassion to serve, reflecting the heart of the one who called us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "nets" (attachments, comforts, or priorities) might Jesus be asking me to "leave" in order to follow Him more fully today?**
* **In what specific ways can I allow Jesus to "make me" more effective in sharing His love and truth with others in my daily life?**
* **How can I practically embody the spirit of a "fisher of men" in my current relationships, workplace, or community?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus choose fishermen as His first disciples?**

Answer: Jesus' choice of fishermen was strategic and multi-faceted. Firstly, it demonstrated His divine authority and ability to call ordinary people from humble backgrounds, rather than those from religious or elite circles, to accomplish extraordinary purposes. This underscored a key theme of the kingdom of God: it is accessible to all and often works through the seemingly insignificant. Secondly, their profession provided a powerful and immediately relatable metaphor for their new mission. As fishermen, they understood patience, perseverance, strategic casting, and the joy of a great catch. This practical experience could be directly translated into the spiritual work of evangelism and discipleship. Finally, their lives as fishermen often involved hard work, resilience, and a communal spirit, qualities that would be essential for the demanding and often challenging work of spreading the Gospel and building the early church, as seen in their later ministries recorded in the [book of Acts](/acts/1 "Acts 1 - Introduction to Acts").

**Does the call to be "fishers of men" apply to all Christians today, or just to evangelists?**

Answer: The call to be "fishers of men" in [Mark 1:17](/mark/1-17 "Mark 1:17 - Jesus Calls Fishers of Men") is a foundational principle of Christian discipleship that applies to all believers, not exclusively to those with a specific evangelistic gifting. While some are uniquely called and gifted as evangelists ([Ephesians 4:11](/ephesians/4-11 "Ephesians 4:11 - Gifts of the Spirit")), every follower of Jesus is commissioned to participate in the mission of making disciples. This doesn't necessarily mean standing on a street corner preaching, but rather living out the Gospel authentically in our daily lives, sharing our faith naturally in our spheres of influence, and inviting others to know Christ. Just as the early disciples were called to a radical reorientation of their lives, we too are called to allow our lives, talents, and resources to be used by God to draw others to Him. This can involve acts of service, sharing personal testimony, engaging in spiritual conversations, or simply living a life that reflects Christ's love, thereby being a "light of the world" as Jesus taught in [Matthew 5:14-16](/matthew/5-14-16 "Matthew 5:14-16 - You Are the Light of the World").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 1:17 finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is not only the caller but also the very "catch" for whom humanity longs. Jesus, the Son of God, came into the world to seek and to save the lost ([Luke 19:10](/luke/19-10 "Luke 19:10 - The Son of Man Came to Seek and Save the Lost")), embodying the ultimate "fisher of men" by drawing all people to Himself through His sacrificial death and resurrection. The disciples' mission to gather others into the kingdom is a participation in Christ's ongoing redemptive work. He is the one who empowers them, fulfilling His promise, "I will make you," through the indwelling Holy Spirit, who enables believers to bear witness to Him ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - The Holy Spirit and Witnessing")). Furthermore, the "men" they are to fish for are those whom Christ came to redeem, offering them new life and inclusion in the family of God, a new covenant established through His blood ([Luke 22:20](/luke/22-20 "Luke 22:20 - The New Covenant in His Blood")). Thus, the call to be "fishers of men" is not merely a human endeavor but a divine partnership, rooted in Christ's finished work on the cross, which makes salvation possible for all who believe ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")), and empowered by His continued presence and Spirit, ensuring the harvest of souls for His glory until He returns ([Revelation 22:20](/revelation/22-20 "Revelation 22:20 - Jesus Is Coming")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 5:10

And so [was] also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.

Matthew 4:19

And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

Matthew 4:20

And they straightway left [their] nets, and followed him.

Acts 2:38

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 2:41

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added [unto them] about three thousand souls.

Ezekiel 47:10

And it shall come to pass, [that] the fishers shall stand upon it from Engedi even unto Eneglaim; they shall be a [place] to spread forth nets; their fish shall be according to their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceeding many.