Mark 1:17Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

After His teaching concluded, Jesus instructed Simon to head into deeper water and cast his net for fish. Despite being an experienced fisherman who had toiled all night without success, Simon complied with Jesus's command, albeit with skepticism. Peter, along with James and John, was astounded by the extraordinary catch that followed. While onlookers unfamiliar with fishing may have celebrated the abundant haul, those seasoned in the craft knew that, given the circumstances under which they had cast their nets at Jesus’s bidding, such a catch was merely miraculous. Overcome with reverence, Peter fell at Jesus’s feet, exclaiming, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man” (Luke 5:8). In this heartfelt declaration, Peter acknowledged the divine glory and purity of Jesus and humbly recognized his own sinful nature, feeling unworthy to be in His presence. At that moment, Peter did not grasp that Jesus came to sinners to lead them to repentance; like many others, he believed that the Righteous One ought only to associate with the virtuous.

Jesus comforted Peter with the words, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men” (Luke 5:10). Responding to this invitation, Peter, along with Andrew, James, and John, brought their boats to shore, leaving behind their nets and the fish they had caught to follow Jesus. The accounts given by the Evangelists Matthew and Mark concerning this same calling of the Apostles do not mention the miraculous catch that preceded it, creating a nuanced difference in their narratives compared to Luke's.

For clarity, Matthew recounts, “As He was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew, casting their nets into the sea; for they were fishermen. And He said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets; and He called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed Him.” In Mark, the passage similarly states, “As He was going along the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. Going a little farther, He saw James the son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in the boat mending the nets. Immediately He called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and went away to follow Him.”

Comparing the consistent accounts given by Matthew and Mark with Luke’s, it becomes evident that the disciples’ calling occurred while they were at the lakeshore in their boats with fishing gear. The main difference lies in Luke’s depiction, where the disciples are called after the miraculous catch, whereas Matthew and Mark suggest the calling happened while Peter and Andrew were casting their nets, and James and John were mending theirs. However, there is no indication that Matthew and Mark are recounting a different event, as it is unlikely Jesus would have called the same disciples twice under such similar circumstances.

This apparent discrepancy can be reconciled by understanding that the earlier Evangelists focused solely on how Peter, Andrew, James, and John left all to follow Jesus, potentially omitting the preceding miraculous happenings that they considered less significant. The calling of these disciples as recounted by the three Evangelists could be regarded as their initial calling to discipleship. Nevertheless, the Gospel of John narrates a prior calling involving Andrew, Peter, John, James, Philip, and Nathanael, which followed John the Baptist’s declaration of Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God (John 1:35-51).

When examining these two callings alongside the events that preceded the second, it is evident that after the first call, the disciples did not always accompany Jesus on His travels and sometimes returned to their former work. However, after the second call, they became His consistent companions, ultimately being chosen as apostles among the twelve.

The throng was so pressing that the position of the Divine Teacher became precarious. Noticing two fishing boats on the water, one of which belonged to His disciples—who had not yet fully answered His call to leave everything behind and follow Him but were engaged in their daily tasks—He called Peter to come ashore and take Him into the boat. He then instructed Peter to cast off from the land, allowing Him to address the multitude from the boat. From this serene and unobstructed setting, He taught the people, gently rocking on the shimmering waves of the lake illuminated by the morning sun.

When His teaching concluded, the Savior set aside His own weariness and considered the plight of His struggling disciples. Aware that their efforts had been fruitless and that they had caught no fish, He saw that while they worked, they had attentively listened, preparing for a forthcoming endeavor that promised greater rewards. To lift their spirits, He commanded Peter to venture into deeper waters and cast the nets once more. Though Peter felt disheartened, a simple word from the one he esteemed highly, and whose miraculous deeds he had witnessed repeatedly, was sufficient to inspire him. And indeed, his faith was rewarded; as soon as he cast the nets, they were instantly filled with an abundance of fish. The disciples became active and exhilarated. Simon and Andrew signaled to Zebedee, his sons, and their fellow workers to bring their boat to aid in retrieving the astonishing haul that threatened to rupture the nets. Both boats became filled to capacity, and once the task was completed, Peter, recognizing the magnitude of the miracle, instinctively fell at Jesus' knees, exclaiming in awe, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” This moment of extraordinary insight revealed to him his own sinful unworthiness and the identity of the one with whom he was in the boat. It was a cry of self-accusation, a profound expression of fear and wonder—feelings that would later transform into blessed adoration and love. Peter's plea was not one of literal separation, but rather an acknowledgment of his unworthiness to be near the Savior, coupled with an unspoken desire to remain in His presence. In response, Jesus offered words of encouragement: “Fear not; henceforth thou shalt catch men.” The Savior, as always, discerned the deeper meaning of the moment at hand. At that moment, a catch of lively fish rested before them, recently drawn from the lake, their struggle beginning to cease before the ultimate stillness of death. From that point onward, this redeemed and sanctified man was to seek after a higher calling—the pursuit of souls who would be caught in the net of the gospel, not destined for death, but eternal life. His brother and fellow laborers were likewise called to become ‘fishers of men.’

Once He finished speaking, He instructed Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” Simon replied, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless, at Your word, I will let down the net.” The more Simon doubted the success of their fishing endeavor, the more remarkable the miracle appeared: the Lord had prepared the fishermen for their calling, showing that all their disappointments could be transformed by His word. In compliance with His instruction, they encountered an unexpected abundance of fish, to the extent that their nets began to break. They signaled their companions in the other boat for assistance, and together they filled both boats to the brink of sinking. This miraculous catch left Simon and his companions not just astonished but truly awed. Previous wonders they had witnessed did not strike them as profoundly as this event, which they experienced first-hand. Overwhelmed with emotion, Simon knelt before Jesus and exclaimed, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” Yet, the All-Knowing One responded to this heartfelt plea with a message of hope and a call to great service: “Do not be afraid; from now on you will catch men.” To Simon's companions, He extended the same invitation: “Come, follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” The fishermen, as described by St. Philaret of Moscow, responded with immediate resolve, complete readiness, and unwavering commitment, without any hesitation. After bringing both boats to the shore, they forsook all they had to follow the Lord Jesus, with James and John even leaving their father Zebedee behind.