PER054

Confirmation of the disciples’ calling

On the shores of the Sea of Galilee, around March 31, Jesus confirms the call of four fishermen: Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John. Unlike the first call at Bethany, he now invites them to leave everything behind and devote themselves exclusively to evangelism. Their immediate and total response reflects a trust built up over the months spent at his side. Matthew (4:18-22) and Mark (1:16-20) report this foundational episode of the Galilean ministry.

3 min the calling of the disciples Sea of Galilee Simon Peter Andrew James 2 verses 2 books

Resources

You can consult:

ANN071: The city of Capernaum

Biblical texts

Matthew

Matthew 4.18-22 (King James Version)

And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

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

And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.

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.

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

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Mark

Mark 1.16-20 (King James Version)

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.

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

And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.

And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.

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

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Luke

Luke (King James Version) not cited in the book

John

John (King James Version) not cited in the book

Technical details

Place: The shores of the

Date: Probably around March AD 31, before the Passover feast of Monday, March 24, AD 31

Method: We continue with Matthew

Note on the procedure: Matthew and Mark continue their account with this event, which takes place on the shore of the (Lake Tiberias)

The Messiah Jesus is going to call disciples to follow him

Confirmation of the call of the disciples

Comments

We may be surprised by the information given by Matthew and Mark, because John had previously stated that this call took place at Bethany in Judea (PER032). In the appendix ANN021: The calls of the disciples, we explain that the Messiah Jesus now proposes that they take part in a different work.

It seems clear that the disciples, after the baptism of the Messiah Jesus, decided to follow him as their new master. They intended to carry on with their trade while being disciples of the Messiah Jesus. Indeed, that is how events unfolded for a few months. When the Messiah Jesus finds these men, who are fishermen, they are in their boats, busy at work.

We come to the episode of the call on the shores of the , where they are invited to leave everything behind and devote themselves exclusively to the work of evangelism with the Messiah Jesus.

At Bethany, the disciples had decided to follow this new Master; now he proposes a new commitment to them.

Such a decision had to rest on limitless trust, evidently gained over these few months spent in the company of the Messiah Jesus. At that moment, four men are called: Simon Peter, Andrew, and James and John, the sons of Zebedee.

It is clearly stated that they left everything to follow him.

La confirmation de l’appel des disciples. Sur les rives de la mer de Galilée, vers mars de l'an 31, Jésus confirme l'appel de quatre pêcheurs : Simon-Pierre, André, Jacques et Jean. Contrairement à un premier appel à Béthanie, il les invite désormais à tout abandonner pour se consacrer exclusivement à l'évangélisation. Leur réponse immédiate et totale traduit une confiance construite au fil des mois passés à ses côtés. Matthieu (4.18-22) et Marc (1.16-20) rapportent cet épisode fondateur du ministère galiléen. Commentaires. Nous pouvons être surpris par les informations données par Matthieu et Marc, car Jean nous avait précédemment affirmé que cet appel avait eu lieu à Béthanie en Judée (PER032). Dans l’annexe ANN021 : Les appels des disciples, nous expliquons que le Messie Jésus leur propose désormais de participer à une œuvre différente. Il semble évident que les disciples, après le baptême du Messie Jésus, ont pris la décision de le suivre comme leur nouveau maître. Ils envisageaient de continuer leur activité professionnelle tout en étant disciples du Messie Jésus. D'ailleurs, c’est ainsi que les événements se sont déroulés pendant quelques mois. Lorsque le Messie Jésus retrouve ces hommes, des pêcheurs, ils sont sur leurs bateaux, en pleine activité. Nous arrivons à l'épisode de l'appel sur les rives de la mer de Galilée, où ils sont invités à tout abandonner pour se consacrer exclusivement au travail d'évangélisation avec le Messie Jésus. À Béthanie, les disciples avaient pris la décision de suivre ce nouveau Maître ; désormais, il leur propose un nouvel engagement. Une telle décision devait reposer sur une confiance sans limite, visiblement acquise au cours de ces quelques mois passés au contact du Messie Jésus. À ce moment-là, quatre hommes sont appelés : Simon-Pierre, André, ainsi que Jacques et Jean, les fils de Zébédée. Il est bien précisé qu'ils laissèrent tout pour le suivre.