Mark 1:17
"Come, follow Me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."
Come
The Greek word used here is "deute," which is an imperative form, indicating a command or an invitation. This word is not merely a suggestion but a call to action. In the historical context, rabbis would often call disciples to follow them, but Jesus' call is unique in its authority and purpose. It is an invitation to leave behind the old life and embark on a transformative journey with Christ. This word signifies the beginning of a new path, a step into a life of purpose and divine mission.

follow Me
The phrase "follow Me" is translated from the Greek "akoloutheite moi," which implies a continuous action. It is not a one-time event but an ongoing commitment. In the cultural context of the time, to follow a rabbi meant to adopt his teachings and way of life. Jesus is calling His disciples to not only learn from Him but to emulate His life and mission. This call to follow is deeply relational, indicating a close, personal walk with Jesus, where His followers are to learn from His example and teachings.

Jesus said
The authority of this call comes from Jesus Himself. In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus is portrayed as the Son of God with divine authority. When Jesus speaks, it is with the power and authority of God. His words are not just instructions but are life-giving and transformative. The historical Jesus, as depicted in the Gospels, speaks with a unique authority that compels a response. His words are not just for the original disciples but echo through time to all who hear His call.

and I will make you
This phrase indicates a promise and a process. The Greek word "poieso" means to make or to create. Jesus is not only calling His disciples to follow Him but is promising to transform them. This transformation is a divine work, where Jesus takes the initiative to shape and mold His followers into something new. It is a process of spiritual formation, where the disciples are being prepared for a specific purpose. This highlights the transformative power of Jesus' call, where He takes ordinary individuals and equips them for extraordinary purposes.

fishers of men
The imagery of "fishers of men" is rich with meaning. In the cultural context, many of Jesus' first disciples were fishermen by trade. Jesus uses this familiar concept to illustrate their new mission. The Greek word "halieis" refers to fishermen, and the metaphor suggests gathering people into the kingdom of God, much like fish are gathered into nets. This phrase signifies a shift from a focus on the temporal to the eternal, from catching fish to saving souls. It is a call to evangelism and discipleship, where the followers of Jesus are to reach out to others with the message of the Gospel. This metaphor also implies skill, patience, and perseverance, qualities that are essential in the mission of spreading the Good News.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus
The central figure in this passage, Jesus is calling His first disciples. He is the Son of God, the Messiah, and the teacher who invites others to follow Him.

2. Simon (Peter) and Andrew
These are the first disciples Jesus calls. They are fishermen by trade, which is significant to the metaphor Jesus uses.

3. Sea of Galilee
The location where Jesus calls Simon and Andrew. It is a significant place in Jesus' ministry, often associated with His teachings and miracles.

4. Fishing
The occupation of Simon and Andrew, which Jesus uses as a metaphor for their new mission.

5. Discipleship
The event of calling the first disciples marks the beginning of Jesus' ministry and the establishment of His followers.
Teaching Points
The Call to Follow
Jesus' invitation to "Come, follow Me" is a personal call to each believer. It requires a response of faith and obedience.

Transformation of Purpose
Jesus transforms the disciples' occupation from fishing for fish to fishing for people, indicating a shift in purpose and mission for those who follow Him.

Evangelism as a Lifestyle
Being "fishers of men" suggests that evangelism is not just an activity but a way of life for believers.

Immediate Obedience
The disciples' immediate response to Jesus' call serves as a model for how we should respond to His leading in our lives.

Empowerment for Mission
Jesus equips those He calls. The promise to make them "fishers of men" implies that He will provide the necessary skills and opportunities.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does Jesus' call to "Come, follow Me" mean for your personal life and daily decisions?

2. How can you apply the concept of being a "fisher of men" in your current context, whether at work, home, or in your community?

3. In what ways does the transformation of the disciples' purpose from fishermen to fishers of men challenge you to rethink your own life's purpose?

4. How does the immediate response of Simon and Andrew to Jesus' call inspire you in your walk with Christ?

5. Reflect on a time when you felt called to a specific mission or task by God. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Matthew 4:19
This parallel account in Matthew emphasizes the same call to discipleship and the metaphor of becoming "fishers of men."

John 21:15-17
After His resurrection, Jesus reaffirms Peter's role in "feeding His sheep," which connects to the idea of being a fisher of men and caring for the spiritual needs of others.

Acts 1:8
Jesus' promise of the Holy Spirit empowers the disciples to be His witnesses, fulfilling the call to be fishers of men.

2 Timothy 2:2
Paul instructs Timothy to entrust the teachings to faithful men, highlighting the ongoing mission of discipleship and evangelism.
The Fishers of MenR. Green Mark 1:14-20
Christ's Call to Busy MenA. Rowland Mark 1:16, 17
Bait to Catch FishG. McMichael.Mark 1:16-18
Busy MenJohn Trapp.Mark 1:16-18
Catching Fish a Preparation for Catching MenD. Davies, M. A.Mark 1:16-18
Christ Calling MenDr. Parker.Mark 1:16-18
Christ's Election of DisciplesS. A. Brooke, M. A.Mark 1:16-18
Forsaking All to Follow ChristT. Brooks.Mark 1:16-18
GrippersR. Glover.Mark 1:16-18
Heart Responsive to HeartDr. Parker.Mark 1:16-18
Jesus, as Head of the Kingdom, Calling His HelpersD. C. Hughes, M. A.Mark 1:16-18
Primary and Subordinate Qualifications that are Important to be Possessed by All Those Who Essay to Do Good to OthersW. Kelynack.Mark 1:16-18
Rules for FishingMark Guy Pearse.Mark 1:16-18
The Apostles Change of Employment a Gain to ThemP. B. Davis.Mark 1:16-18
The Call of the First ApostlesR. Glover.Mark 1:16-18
The Call to ServiceD. Davies, M. A.Mark 1:16-18
The Estimate Jesus Christ Had of Humanity in Contrast with All the Other Objects that Engaged His AttentionW. Kelynack.Mark 1:16-18
The Gospel as a Fishing NetDr. Mark Frank.Mark 1:16-18
The Higher DiscipleshipJ. H. Shakespeare, M. A.Mark 1:16-18
The Lord ChoseM. F. Sadler, M. A.Mark 1:16-18
The Making of Men CatchersC. H. Spurgeon.Mark 1:16-18
The Manner in Which Christ Attracted Men to Himself by Making Their Secular Calling Typical of Spiritual WorkJoseph S. Exell, M. A.Mark 1:16-18
The Minister is a FishermanR. Cecil.Mark 1:16-18
The Ministerial OfficeMark 1:16-18
Why Should the Lord Choose His Foremost Apostles from Among FishermenM. F. Sadler, M. A.Mark 1:16-18
Call of DisciplesE. Johnson Mark 1:16-20
The Call of the Disciples; Or, Work and Higher WorkA.F. Muir Mark 1:16-20
The Call of the First Four DisciplesJ.J. Given Mark 1:16-20
People
Andrew, Ephah, Isaiah, James, Jesus, John, Simon, Zabdi, Zebedee
Places
Capernaum, Galilee, Jerusalem, Jordan River, Judea, Nazareth, Sea of Galilee, Wilderness of Judea
Topics
Fishers, Follow
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Mark 1:17

     5355   invitations
     8206   Christlikeness
     8422   equipping, spiritual

Mark 1:16-17

     5433   occupations

Mark 1:16-18

     5877   hesitation

Mark 1:16-19

     7758   preachers, call

Mark 1:16-20

     1651   numbers, 1-2
     5113   Peter, disciple
     6620   calling
     8120   following Christ

Mark 1:17-18

     8115   discipleship, nature of
     8209   commitment, to Christ

Library
What 'the Gospel' Is
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ.--Mark i. 1 My purpose now is to point out some of the various connections in which the New Testament uses that familiar phrase, 'the gospel,' and briefly to gather some of the important thoughts which these suggest. Possibly the process may help to restore freshness to a word so well worn that it slips over our tongues almost unnoticed and excites little thought. The history of the word in the New Testament books is worth notice. It seldom occurs in those
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Christ's Touch
'Jesus put forth His hand, and touched him.'--Mark i. 41. Behold the servant of the Lord' might be the motto of this Gospel, and 'He went about doing good and healing' the summing up of its facts. We have in it comparatively few of our Lord's discourses, none of His longer, and not very many of His briefer ones. It contains but four parables. This Evangelist gives no miraculous birth as in Matthew, no angels adoring there as in Luke, no gazing into the secrets of Eternity, where the Word who afterwards
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Strong Forerunner and the Stronger Son
'The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; 2. As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send My messenger before Thy face, which shall prepare Thy way before Thee. 3. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths straight. 4. John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. 5. And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Mighty in Word and Deed
'And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the Sabbath day He entered into the synagogue, and taught. 22. And they were astonished at His doctrine: for He taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes. 23. And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, 24. Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with Thee, Thou Jesus of Nazareth? art Thou come to destroy us? I know Thee who Thou art, the Holy One of God. 25. And Jesus rebuked him, saying,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Healing and Service
'Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever; and straightway they tell Him of her: 31. And He came and took her by the hand, and raised her up; and the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.'--Mark i. 30, 31, R. V. This miracle is told us by three of the four Evangelists, and the comparison of their brief narratives is very interesting and instructive. We all know, I suppose, that the common tradition is that Mark was, in some sense, Peter's mouthpiece in this Gospel. The truthfulness of that
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

A Parable in a Miracle
'And there came a leper to Him, beseeching Him, and kneeling down to Him, and saying unto Him, If Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean. 41. And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth His hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; he thou clean. 42. And as soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.'--Mark i. 40-42. Christ's miracles are called wonders--that is, deeds which, by their exceptional character, arrest attention and excite surprise. Further,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

A Composite Picture.
It may be helpful to make the following summary of these allusions. 1. His times of prayer: His regular habit seems plainly to have been to devote the early morning hour to communion with His Father, and to depend upon that for constant guidance and instruction. This is suggested especially by Mark 1:35; and also by Isaiah 50:4-6 coupled with John 7:16 l.c., 8:28, and 12:49. In addition to this regular appointment, He sought other opportunities for secret prayer as special need arose; late at night
S. D. (Samuel Dickey) Gordon—Quiet Talks on Prayer

The Way to the Kingdom
"The kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel." Mark 1:15 These words naturally lead us to consider, First, the nature of true religion, here termed by our Lord, "the kingdom of God," which, saith he, "is at hand;" and, Secondly, the way thereto, which he points out in those words, "Repent ye, and believe the gospel." I. 1. We are, First, to consider the nature of true religion, here termed by our Lord, "the kingdom of God." The same expression the great Apostle uses in his Epistle
John Wesley—Sermons on Several Occasions

The Repentance of Believers
"Repent ye, and believe the gospel." Mark 1:15. 1. It is generally supposed, that repentance and faith are only the gate of religion; that they are necessary only at the beginning of our Christian course, when we are setting out in the way to the kingdom. And this may seem to be confirmed by the great Apostle, where, exhorting the Hebrew Christians to "go on to perfection," he teaches them to leave these first "principles of the doctrine of Christ;" "not laying again the foundation of repentance
John Wesley—Sermons on Several Occasions

The Lord and the Leper
The Lord Jesus Christ at this day has all power in heaven and in earth. He is charged with a divine energy to bless all who come to him for healing. Oh, that we may see today some great wonder of his power and grace! Oh, for one of the days of the Son of Man here and now! To that end it is absolutely needful that we should find a case for his spiritual power to work upon. Is there not one here in whom his grace may prove its omnipotence? Not you, ye good, ye self-righteous! You yield him no space
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 34: 1888

Faith and Repentance Inseparable
I. I shall commence my remarking that the gospel which Christ preached was, very plainly, a command. "Repent ye, and believe the gospel." Our Lord does condescend to reason. Often his ministry graciously acted out the old text, "Come, now, and let us reason together; though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as wool." He does persuade men by telling and forcible arguments, which should lead them to seek the salvation of their souls. He does invite men, and oh, how lovingly he woos them to be
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 8: 1863

Answer to Mr. W's First Objection.
I WILL first consider all Mr. W's objections to these literal stories. Mr. W. says in his preamble, before he comes to propose his objections in form: That these three miracles are not equally great, but differ in degree, is visible enough to every one that but cursorily reads, and compares their stories one with another.--The greatest of the three, and indeed the greatest miracle, that Jesus is supposed to have wrought, is that of Lazarus's resurrection; which, in truth, was a most prodigious miracle,
Nathaniel Lardner—A Vindication of Three of Our Blessed Saviour's Miracles

The Fellowship of Prayer
THE FELLOWSHIP OF PRAYER "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." -- Phil. 4:6 This timely exhortation stresses the fact that God's people should consult with Him in every matter pertaining to life. Unless they see the imperative necessity of prayer, and give it an important place in daily life, they cannot expect to be maintained by the ample resources of a generous Saviour. It is apparent that we cannot obtain
T. M. Anderson—Prayer Availeth Much

Healing a Demoniac in a Synagogue.
(at Capernaum.) ^B Mark I. 21-28; ^C Luke . IV. 31-37. ^b 21 And they [Jesus and the four fishermen whom he called] go into { ^c he came down to} Capernaum, a city of Galilee. [Luke has just spoken of Nazareth, and he uses the expression "down to Capernaum" because the latter was on the lake shore while Nazareth was up in the mountains.] And ^b straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue and taught. { ^c was teaching them} ^b 22 And they were astonished at his teaching: for he taught
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Jesus Heals a Leper and Creates Much Excitement.
^A Matt.VIII. 2-4; ^B Mark I. 40-45; ^C Luke V. 12-16. ^c 12 And it came to pass, while he was in one of the cities [it was a city of Galilee, but as it was not named, it is idle to conjecture which city it was], behold, ^b there cometh { ^a came} ^b to him a leper [There is much discussion as to what is here meant by leprosy. Two diseases now go by that name; viz., psoriasis and elephantiasis. There are also three varieties of psoriasis, namely, white, black and red. There are also three varieties
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Way from Sin to Perfect Salvation.
We have learned that sin entered this world and that all mankind have sinned. We have also learned that Jesus came to save man from his sins. Now the question may arise in the mind of some, what must I do to be saved? We hope in this chapter to quote such scriptures as will plainly teach you the way of salvation, or how to be fully saved, and also the scriptures describing each experience. Repentance. The first step for the sinner is to repent. When on Pentecost men were pricked in their hearts
Charles Ebert Orr—The Gospel Day

Jesus' Conception of Himself
252. When Jesus called forth the confession of Peter at Caesarea Philippi he brought into prominence the question which during the earlier stages of the Galilean ministry he had studiously kept in the background. This is no indication, however, that he was late in reaching a conclusion for himself concerning his relation to the kingdom which he was preaching. From the time of his baptism and temptation every manifestation of the inner facts of his life shows unhesitating confidence in the reality
Rush Rhees—The Life of Jesus of Nazareth

John the Baptist
Matt. iii. 1-17; iv. 12; xiv. 1-12; Mark i. 1-14; vi. 14-29; Luke i. 5-25, 57-80; iii. 1-22; ix. 7-9; John i. 19-37; iii. 22-30. 72. The first reappearance of Jesus in the gospel story, after the temple scene in his twelfth year, is on the banks of the Jordan seeking baptism from the new prophet. One of the silent evidences of the greatness of Jesus is the fact that so great a character as John the Baptist stands in our thought simply as accessory to his life. For that the prophet of the wilderness
Rush Rhees—The Life of Jesus of Nazareth

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