Mark 1:20

Verse

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

American Standard Version (1901)

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

Bible in Basic English

And he said, Come after me: and they went away from their father Zebedee, who was in the boat with the servants, and came after him.

Free Bible Version

Immediately he called them to follow him, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired workers, and followed Jesus.

Geneva Bible 1599

And anon hee called them: and they left their father Zebedeus in the shippe with his hired seruants, and went their way after him.

King James (Authorized) Version

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

One Unity Resource Bible

Immediately he called them, and they left their father, Zebedee [Bestowed by Yah], in the boat with the hired servants, and went after him.

Plain English Version

Like before, Jesus called out to James and John to stop their work and follow him. Straight away, they left their father and the other work-men in the boat, and they followed Jesus.

Translation for Translators

As soon as Jesus saw them, he told them that they should leave their work and to come with him. So they left their father, who remained in the boat with the hired servants, and they went away with Jesus.

Unlocked Literal Bible

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

Noah Webster Bible

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

World English Bible

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

Young's Literal Translation

and immediately he called them, and, having left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, they went away after him.

Context

The First Disciples

¹⁹Going on a little farther, He saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat, mending their nets.²⁰Immediately Jesus called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed Him.

Summary

In Mark 1:20, Jesus calls James and John, the sons of Zebedee, to follow Him, and they immediately leave their father and their fishing business to become His disciples. This verse highlights the power and authority of Jesus' call, demonstrating the disciples' willingness to respond promptly and wholeheartedly. It also signifies the radical transformation that takes place when individuals encounter Jesus, prompting them to leave behind their former way of life to pursue a new purpose in Him. The disciples' immediate obedience serves as a model for believers today, showing the importance of prioritizing and following Jesus above all else.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

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 them, and managing the ship, and conducting it from place to place, and therefore were not to be charged with want of humanity; and such was the power that went along with Christ's call, that notwithstanding natural affection to their parents, and the gain they might get by these servants and their trade, they cheerfully quitted all, and followed Christ; See Gill on Mat 4:22.