Mark 1:20Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

For Adam, our forefather according to the flesh, is clothed with the skins of dead beasts; but now, having put off the old man, with his deeds, following the new man we are clothed with those skins of Solomon, with which the bride rejoices that she has been made beautiful. (Cant. 1:4. Vulg.) Again, Simon, means obedient; Andrew, manly; James, supplanter;f John, grace; by which four names, we are knit together into God’s host;g by obedience, that we may listen; by manliness, that we do battle; by overthrowing, that we may persevere; by grace, that we may be preserved. (supplantatione) Which four virtues are called cardinal; for by prudence, we obey; by justice, we bear ourselves manfully; by temperance, we tread the serpent underfoot; by fortitude, we earn the grace of God.

After completing His sermon, Jesus instructed Simon to venture into deeper waters and let down his nets for a catch. Despite being a seasoned fisherman who had labored fruitlessly through the night, Simon complied with Jesus' request, though he believed it would yield no results. The astonishing quantity of fish caught left Peter, James, John, and their associates in shock. While those unfamiliar with fishing might have celebrated the plentiful haul, the experienced fishermen understood that under the conditions set by Jesus, such a catch was impossible without divine intervention. Overwhelmed, Peter fell at Jesus' feet, exclaiming, "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man" (Luke 5:8). In this moment of profound confession, Peter acknowledged Jesus' divine authority and holiness, humbly recognizing his own unworthiness in the presence of the Savior. At that moment, Peter was unaware that Jesus had come to seek sinners and call them to repentance; he, like the other Jews, thought the Righteous One should only associate with the righteous.

Jesus comforted Peter, saying, "Do not be afraid. From now on, you will be catching men" (Luke 5:10). Moved by this calling, Peter, along with Andrew, James, and John, abandoned their boats and left behind their nets and the fish they had caught to follow Jesus. The accounts of this same calling by Matthew and Mark do not mention the miraculous catch and seem inconsistent with Luke's narrative. However, a comparison of the two accounts reveals that the disciples' calling occurred on the lake's shore while they were engaged in fishing. The only difference lies in that, according to Luke, Peter and his companions were called after the miraculous catch, while Matthew and Mark describe the calling as occurring during their fishing activity.

It is unlikely that Matthew and Mark recount a different event from Luke's record, as it is improbable that Jesus would call the same disciples twice under similar circumstances. The apparent inconsistencies in the Evangelists' narratives can be understood by noting that Matthew and Mark chose to focus solely on how Peter, Andrew, James, and John left everything behind to follow Jesus, possibly omitting the events leading up to their significant calling.

The accounts provided by the three Gospel writers reflect the first calling of these disciples to follow Jesus consistently, although the Gospel of John details an earlier calling of Andrew, Peter, John, James, Philip, and Nathanael, which followed John the Baptist's proclamation of Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God (John 1:35-51). By comparing these early and later calls, we can infer that the first calling did not result in the disciples' continual followership, as they sometimes returned to their previous occupations. However, after this second calling, they became His steadfast companions and were soon chosen among the twelve as apostles.

So many encircled the Divine Teacher that His position by the water became precarious. However, He noticed two fishing boats on the lake; one belonged to His disciples who, although not yet fully called to forsake all to follow the Divine Master, were occupied with their usual tasks. He instructed Peter to come ashore and take Him aboard the vessel. After climbing into the boat, He commanded Peter to row out a bit from the shore, creating a suitable place from which to teach the assembled throng. From this unencumbered setting, He shared His message while gently rocking on the shimmering waves, illuminated by the morning sun.

Once His sermon concluded, His thoughts turned not to His own fatigue but to His struggling disciples. Aware that their efforts had yielded no catch, He recognized that during His teaching, they had been diligently working yet were still prepared for a greater task that awaited them. To uplift their spirits, He instructed Peter to venture into the deeper waters and cast his nets once more. Although Peter felt despondent, just the command from the One he revered, whose power he had seen numerous times, was sufficient to spur him into action. His faith was duly rewarded. The moment he cast his nets, they were filled with a remarkable abundance of fish. The disciples became animated and busy, signaling Zebedee and his sons, along with their laborers, to come with their boat and assist in hauling in the astonishing catch that nearly threatened to tear the nets apart. Both boats were soon overflowing. After they finished their labor, Peter, overwhelmed by the miraculous event and recognizing the magnitude of the presence beside him, fell to his knees before Jesus, declaring, "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man." A sudden insight revealed to him both his own sinful state and the divine identity of the One accompanying him. It was a heartfelt admission of guilt, an initial expression of fear and wonder, feelings that would later deepen into reverence and love. Peter's intent was not to truly request the Lord to leave, but rather to convey his unworthiness to be near Him, hoping instead to remain close. In response, Jesus offered words of comfort, "Fear not; from now on you will catch men."

The Savior, true to His teaching, utilized the circumstances at hand. Beside them lay the captured fish, now becoming still before the eternal rest of death. From that moment forward, this redeemed and sanctified sinner was to engage in a nobler pursuit—catching souls through the net of the Gospel, offering them eternal life rather than mortality. His brother and fellow workers would also be called to become ‘fishers of men.’

After finishing His teaching, 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 less hope Simon had for a successful catch, the more incredible the miracle became, as the Lord had already prepared the fishermen for their future calling, indicating that all their prior struggles could be redeemed by His command. Acting in faith, Simon obeyed, and to their astonishment, they caught a massive number of fish, causing their nets to begin breaking. They signaled their partners in the other boat, who came to help, filling both boats to the point of sinking.

The remarkable success of the catch left Simon and his companions not only awestruck but also terrified. Other miracles they had witnessed did not impact them as deeply as this one, in which they had played an active role. Overcome with emotion, Simon fell at Jesus' feet, exclaiming, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." In response to Simon's heartfelt plea, the All-Knowing One offered words of comfort and a call to significant service: "Do not be afraid; from now on you will catch men." He also addressed Simon's companions, inviting them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." The fishermen responded with resolute determination and eagerness, leaving no room for hesitation. They pulled both boats ashore, forsook everything, and followed the Lord Jesus, with James and John even leaving their father Zebedee behind.