Mark 1:18Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The Miraculous Harvest of Fish After concluding His instruction, Jesus instructed Simon to venture into deeper waters and cast his net for a catch. Although Simon, an experienced fisherman who had labored through the night without success, was skeptical about the outcome, he obediently complied with Jesus' command. Peter, along with James and John and their associates, found themselves astounded by the extraordinary catch. Those unfamiliar with the profession might have celebrated the abundance, yet those seasoned in fishing recognized that under normal circumstances, nothing should have been caught at that moment. The miraculous abundance that ensued was undeniably the work of Jesus. Awestruck, Peter fell to his knees before Jesus, exclaiming, ‘Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man’ (Luke 5:8). In this profound expression, Peter acknowledged the majesty and holiness of the mighty Jesus and humbly recognized his own unworthiness to be near Him. At that moment, Peter was unaware that Jesus had come for sinners to lead them towards repentance; like many of his fellow Jews, he believed that the Righteous One would only associate with the righteous.

The Calling of Peter, Andrew, James, and John Jesus comforted Peter, saying, ‘Do not be afraid. From now on, you will catch men’ (Luke 5:10). In response to this calling, Peter, accompanied by Andrew, James, and John, brought their boats ashore, leaving behind their nets and the abundant catch to follow Jesus. The Gospel writers Matthew and Mark, in recounting this significant moment in the lives of the Apostles, omit the miraculous catch that preceded their calling, which leads to a slight discrepancy between their accounts and Luke's narrative. For instance, Matthew 4:18-22 tells us how Jesus, while walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw Simon Peter and Andrew casting their nets and called them to follow Him, upon which they immediately left their nets. Similarly, Mark 1:16-20 describes Jesus' call to Simon and Andrew and details how James and John followed Him as well.

When we compare the narratives of Matthew and Mark with that of Luke, it becomes evident that the disciples were called by the lakeshore while engaged in their fishing activities. The only notable difference is that, according to Luke, the calling occurred after the miraculous catch, while Matthew and Mark depict it happening as Peter and Andrew were casting their nets and James and John were mending theirs. However, this does not indicate that the accounts are unrelated; it is unlikely that Jesus would call the same individuals twice under such similar circumstances. Thus, the apparent inconsistency between the Evangelists can be understood as an emphasis on the disciples' decision to leave everything behind to follow Jesus.

The calling of the disciples, as described by all three Evangelists, could be perceived as the initial call of Peter, Andrew, James, and John to become Jesus' followers, if not for the earlier account in the Gospel of John, which describes the calling of Andrew, Peter, John, James, Philip, and Nathanael following John the Baptist’s testimony about Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God (John 1:35-51). When we compare these two calls, it becomes apparent that after the first, the disciples did not always remain with Him during His journeys and occasionally returned to their previous livelihoods. However, following the second call, they became His steadfast companions and were soon chosen as apostles from among the twelve.

Luckily, He spotted two fishing boats on the lake, one belonging to His disciples, who had not yet received the final call to abandon their earthly pursuits and follow Him completely, as they were preoccupied with their usual tasks. He called Peter to come ashore and bring Him into the boat, asking him to row out a bit so He could address the people from there. From this serene and open platform, He taught the crowds while gently rocking on the sparkling waters of the lake, illuminated by the morning sun.

After finishing His message, He turned His thoughts away from His own exhaustion to that of His weary disciples. He recognized that their toil had yielded no fish; however, He noted that they had been attending to their duties while listening carefully to His teachings, which were preparing them for a future mission promising greater success. To uplift their spirits, He instructed Peter to venture into deeper waters and cast his nets once more. Although Peter felt disheartened, a single command from the one he revered and whose power he had witnessed numerous times was sufficient for him. His faith was indeed rewarded, for as soon as he cast the nets, they were instantly filled with an abundance of fish. Excitement erupted among the disciples as Simon and Andrew called Zebedee and his sons, along with the workers, to bring their boat to assist with the extraordinary catch, which threatened to tear the nets apart. Both boats were soon overflowing with their haul. Once the work was completed, Peter, realizing the magnitude of this miracle, instinctively fell to Jesus' knees and, filled with awe at being close to such a miraculous figure, exclaimed: ‘Come away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.’ This plea stemmed from a moment of profound recognition of his own unworthiness and an understanding of the divine presence in the boat with him. It was a cry of self-condemnation—a first expression of fear and wonder that would eventually transform into adoration and love. Peter did not mean in the strictest sense for Jesus to leave, but rather, as understood by the Savior's heart, he expressed, ‘I am unworthy to be near You, yet let me remain.’ The comforting response came from the Savior: ‘Fear not; henceforth thou shalt catch men.’ As in all His lessons, the Lord took advantage of the situation at hand. They were surrounded by a catch of lively fish, freshly pulled from the lake, whose restlessness was beginning to calm—prior to the eternal stillness of death. From that moment on, this redeemed, cleansed sinner would engage in a more exalted pursuit, seeking for the souls that, ensnared by the net of the Gospel, would live eternally. His brother along with his fellow workers would also be called to become ‘fishers of men.’

When He finished speaking, He instructed Simon, "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." To this, Simon replied, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless, at Your word, I will let down the net." The less Simon expected to find fish, the more incredible the miracle must have appeared to him, as the Lord had prepared the fishermen for their calling, indicating that their previous hardships could be compensated by His command. In obedience, Simon and his companions caught an abundance of fish, causing their nets to break. They signaled to their partners in the other boat, who hurried to assist them, and both boats were filled with fish to the point of sinking. This remarkable success not only left Simon and those with him astonished but also filled them with fear. The miracles they had witnessed before failed to impact them as deeply as this one, in which they were directly involved. Overwhelmed by his feelings, Simon fell at Jesus' knees, exclaiming, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!" In response to Simon’s plea, the all-knowing Savior offered words of comfort and a call to significant service: "Do not be afraid; from now on you will catch men." He then said to Simon's partners, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." The fishermen responded to this invitation, as described by St. Philaret of Moscow, with swift resolve, eager readiness, and unwavering commitment, not hesitating even for a moment. After pulling the boats ashore, they left all behind and followed the Lord Jesus, with James and John even parting ways with their father Zebedee.