Mark 1:16
Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
Original Language Analysis
Περιπατῶν
as he walked
G4043
Περιπατῶν
as he walked
Strong's:
G4043
Word #:
1 of 22
to tread all around, i.e., walk at large (especially as proof of ability); figuratively, to live, deport oneself, follow (as a companion or votary)
παρὰ
by
G3844
παρὰ
by
Strong's:
G3844
Word #:
3 of 22
properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Γαλιλαίας
of Galilee
G1056
Γαλιλαίας
of Galilee
Strong's:
G1056
Word #:
7 of 22
galilaea (i.e., the heathen circle), a region of palestine
εἶδεν
he saw
G1492
εἶδεν
he saw
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
8 of 22
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
Καὶ
and
G2532
Καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀδελφὸν
brother
G80
ἀδελφὸν
brother
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
13 of 22
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
14 of 22
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
βάλλοντας
casting
G906
βάλλοντας
casting
Strong's:
G906
Word #:
15 of 22
to throw (in various applications, more or less violent or intense)
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
The Sea of Galilee supported thriving fishing industry. Archaeological evidence shows fish were salted, dried, exported throughout Rome. Peter and Andrew likely partnered with James and John (Luke 5:10), operating successful businesses. This makes their immediate response remarkable—abandoning profitable careers for itinerant preacher. First-century discipleship typically involved students seeking rabbis, but Jesus reverses this demonstrating sovereign grace.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus calling of ordinary working people challenge elitist assumptions about who is qualified for kingdom service?
- What does the disciples abandonment of profitable careers reveal about discipleship cost and priority?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
As he walked by the sea, he saw Simon and Andrew casting a net. Jesus deliberately sought working-class men, not religious elite. The Sea of Galilee was central to economic life. Jesus found them at ordinary labor demonstrating God sovereign initiative. The setting foreshadows fishers of men. Reformed theology emphasizes God sovereign effectual calling—Jesus chooses His disciples (John 15:16). This calling comes to ordinary people at ordinary work, transforming them for extraordinary kingdom purposes.