The calling of the disciples is a significant event in the New Testament, marking the beginning of Jesus Christ's public ministry and the formation of the group that would become the foundation of the early Church. This event is recorded in the Synoptic Gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke—as well as in the Gospel of John, each providing unique details and perspectives.

The First Disciples:

The Gospel of Matthew records the calling of the first disciples by the Sea of Galilee. Jesus encounters Simon Peter and his brother Andrew, who were fishermen. He calls them with the words, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19). Immediately, they leave their nets and follow Him. Shortly thereafter, Jesus calls James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who also leave their boat and father to follow Him (Matthew 4:21-22).

In the Gospel of Mark, the account is similar, emphasizing the immediacy of their response to Jesus' call (Mark 1:16-20). Luke provides additional context, describing a miraculous catch of fish that precedes the calling, which astonishes Peter and his companions, leading to their decision to follow Jesus (Luke 5:1-11).

The Calling of Levi (Matthew):

The calling of Levi, also known as Matthew, is another pivotal moment. As Jesus passes by the tax booth, He sees Levi and says, "Follow Me" (Mark 2:14). Levi immediately rises and follows Him, later hosting a banquet in Jesus' honor, where many tax collectors and sinners are present. This event highlights Jesus' mission to reach out to those marginalized by society and His authority to call individuals from all walks of life (Matthew 9:9-13; Mark 2:13-17; Luke 5:27-32).

The Twelve Apostles:

The selection of the twelve apostles is a crucial step in Jesus' ministry. According to the Gospel of Luke, Jesus spends an entire night in prayer before choosing the twelve from among His disciples (Luke 6:12-16). The twelve apostles are Simon Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon called the Zealot, Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who would later betray Him.

The Gospel of John:

The Gospel of John provides additional insights into the calling of the disciples. It begins with John the Baptist pointing two of his disciples to Jesus, declaring, "Look, the Lamb of God!" (John 1:36). These two, Andrew and another disciple, follow Jesus and spend the day with Him. Andrew then brings his brother Simon Peter to Jesus (John 1:40-42). The following day, Jesus calls Philip, who in turn finds Nathanael and brings him to Jesus (John 1:43-51).

Significance and Themes:

The calling of the disciples underscores several key themes in the New Testament. It highlights the authority of Jesus to call individuals to a new way of life and mission. The immediate and willing response of the disciples exemplifies the nature of true discipleship—leaving behind former lives and occupations to follow Christ. The diversity among the disciples, from fishermen to a tax collector, reflects the inclusive nature of Jesus' ministry and the universal call to follow Him.

The calling of the disciples also sets the stage for the establishment of the Church, as these men would become the primary witnesses to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, and would carry His message to the ends of the earth. Through their calling, the disciples are transformed from ordinary individuals into foundational leaders of the Christian faith.