Mark 1:14-20 (NKJV) Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
Four Called as Disciples
(Matt. 4:18–22; Luke 5:1–11)
16 And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 17 Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 They immediately left their nets and followed Him.
19 When He had gone a little farther from there, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending their nets. 20 And immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after Him.
V14 “Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God…” The reason John the Baptist was in prison is because of warning Herod that he had sinned against God’s laws by marrying his brother’s wife (Matthew 14:2-5). Galilee is to the north of Jerusalem. What was His mission? It was to preach the Gospel. Compare Isaiah 61:1-2 and Luke 8:1. It takes boldness to speak the truths of God. May God give all of us such boldness.
V15 “…and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” His message is short, but under the power of the Holy Spirit, it convicted the people who heard it. Jesus preached true Mosaic Law and the fulfillment of God’s promises for an eternal kingdom of Israel. Israel refused and pleaded for Rome to kill Jesus. Some repented, most refused. Repent means to change your mind, so whatever these people believed in was to be rejected, and Jesus’s preaching of the true Mosaic Law and grace of God was to be believed. Jesus had over 100 authenticating prophecies for the people of Israel to know who the Messiah was. Here is 40: https://jewsforjesus.org/learn/top-40-most-helpful-messianic-prophecies
V16 “And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.” This was their livelihood.
V17 “Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” Why did Jesus choose them? Most likely because they had believed the message preached by John the Baptist.
V18 “They immediately left their nets and followed Him.” Would we all obey the rules of Jesus so quickly?
V19 “When He had gone a little farther from there, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending their nets.” More of the background of the Apostles.
V20 “And immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after Him.” Again, following Jesus was more important than money. There was no delay. If they had delayed, maybe it would have been too late. Compare 1 John 2:5, 1 John 3:10, and 2 John 6.
We learn:
- Jesus begins fulfilling His Father’s commission.
- Jesus begins calling His Apostles (even though the choosing had not happened yet).
- Proper response to the commands of Jesus.
Questions:
- Are we fulfilling our commission, for all believers are gifted by the Holy Spirit for ministry?
- Are we obeying the commands of Jesus as listed in the New Testament?