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Mark 1:20

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

And {G2532} straightway {G2112} he called {G2564} them {G846}: and {G2532} they left {G863} their {G846} father {G3962} Zebedee {G2199} in {G1722} the ship {G4143} with {G3326} the hired servants {G3411}, and went {G565} after {G3694} him {G846}.

Immediately he called them, and they left their father Zavdai in the boat with the hired men and went after Yeshua.

Immediately Jesus called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed Him.

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

Commentary

Commentary on Mark 1:20 (KJV)

Mark 1:20 continues the narrative of Jesus calling His first disciples, specifically focusing on James and John, the sons of Zebedee. This verse highlights their immediate and profound response to Jesus' invitation to follow Him, showcasing a pivotal moment in the formation of His inner circle.

Context

This verse follows directly from Jesus' call to Simon (Peter) and Andrew (Mark 1:16) and then to James and John (Mark 1:19). The setting is the Sea of Galilee, a bustling center of fishing activity. The disciples were not idle but engaged in their family trade, mending nets, a common and essential livelihood in that region. The mention of "hired servants" with Zebedee suggests that James and John came from a relatively prosperous family business, making their decision to leave even more significant. They were not merely abandoning poverty but a stable, established enterprise.

Key Themes

  • Immediate Obedience: The phrase "And straightway he called them" underscores the promptness of their response. There was no hesitation, no negotiation, but an instant departure from their former lives. This immediacy is a recurring characteristic in Mark's Gospel, emphasizing the urgency and power of Jesus' call.
  • Radical Discipleship: James and John's decision to "left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him" demonstrates a radical commitment. They left behind not just their livelihood but also their family obligations and security. This act foreshadows the cost of discipleship that Jesus would later teach, where following Him takes precedence over all other earthly ties.
  • The Authority of Jesus: The simple yet powerful call of Jesus was enough to compel these seasoned fishermen to abandon everything. This highlights His inherent authority and the compelling nature of His person, which drew people to Him with life-altering commitment.
  • New Vocation: By leaving their nets and fishing boats, they were stepping into a new vocation – that of becoming "fishers of men" (Mark 1:17), a call to gather people into God's kingdom.

Linguistic Insight

The Greek word translated "straightway" is euthys, a hallmark of Mark's Gospel. It appears over 40 times, far more frequently than in the other Gospels. Its consistent use emphasizes the swiftness, urgency, and directness of Jesus' actions and the responses to His ministry, lending a dynamic and fast-paced feel to Mark's narrative.

Practical Application

Mark 1:20 challenges believers today to consider their own response to Jesus' call. While most are not called to physically leave their families or careers in the same way, the principle of immediate and radical obedience remains.

  • Prioritizing Christ: Are we willing to prioritize Jesus and His Kingdom above personal comfort, security, or even significant family expectations when they conflict with God's will?
  • Responding to God's Call: Do we respond with the same alacrity and commitment when God calls us to a new direction, a difficult task, or a deeper level of surrender?
  • Trusting in His Provision: The disciples left a known livelihood for an unknown future with Jesus, trusting in His leadership and provision. This encourages us to trust God's plan even when it requires stepping out in faith.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 10:37 (4 votes)

    He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

  • Luke 14:26 (4 votes)

    If any [man] come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

  • Mark 10:29 (4 votes)

    And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,

  • 1 Kings 19:20 (3 votes)

    And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and [then] I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again: for what have I done to thee?

  • 2 Corinthians 5:16 (3 votes)

    ¶ Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we [him] no more.

  • Matthew 4:21 (3 votes)

    And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James [the son] of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.

  • Matthew 4:22 (3 votes)

    And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.