Mark 1:20

Authorized King James Version

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And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.

Original Language Analysis

καὶ And G2532
καὶ And
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 1 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
εὐθεὼς straightway G2112
εὐθεὼς straightway
Strong's: G2112
Word #: 2 of 19
directly, i.e., at once or soon
ἐκάλεσεν he called G2564
ἐκάλεσεν he called
Strong's: G2564
Word #: 3 of 19
to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise)
αὐτοῦ him G846
αὐτοῦ him
Strong's: G846
Word #: 4 of 19
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
καὶ And G2532
καὶ And
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 5 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀφέντες they left G863
ἀφέντες they left
Strong's: G863
Word #: 6 of 19
to send forth, in various applications (as follow)
τὸν G3588
τὸν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 7 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πατέρα father G3962
πατέρα father
Strong's: G3962
Word #: 8 of 19
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
αὐτοῦ him G846
αὐτοῦ him
Strong's: G846
Word #: 9 of 19
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
Ζεβεδαῖον Zebedee G2199
Ζεβεδαῖον Zebedee
Strong's: G2199
Word #: 10 of 19
zebedaeus, an israelite
ἐν in G1722
ἐν in
Strong's: G1722
Word #: 11 of 19
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
τῷ G3588
τῷ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 12 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πλοίῳ the ship G4143
πλοίῳ the ship
Strong's: G4143
Word #: 13 of 19
a sailer, i.e., vessel
μετὰ with G3326
μετὰ with
Strong's: G3326
Word #: 14 of 19
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
τῶν G3588
τῶν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 15 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μισθωτῶν the hired servants G3411
μισθωτῶν the hired servants
Strong's: G3411
Word #: 16 of 19
a wage-worker (good or bad)
ἀπῆλθον and went G565
ἀπῆλθον and went
Strong's: G565
Word #: 17 of 19
to go off (i.e., depart), aside (i.e., apart) or behind (i.e., follow), literally or figuratively
ὀπίσω after G3694
ὀπίσω after
Strong's: G3694
Word #: 18 of 19
to the back, i.e., aback (as adverb or preposition of time or place; or as noun)
αὐτοῦ him G846
αὐτοῦ him
Strong's: G846
Word #: 19 of 19
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

Analysis & Commentary

He saw James and John mending nets. Immediately after calling Peter Andrew Jesus continues building apostolic team. Detail mending nets indicates responsible businessmen maintaining equipment. The verb means restore repair prepare same word spiritual restoration. Jesus calls people in daily life not special spiritual moments. James John were partners with Peter Andrew suggesting prosperous cooperative. Zebedee present with hired servants indicating wealth. Jesus calls them to abandon prosperity for discipleship. God sovereign call comes in various circumstances transcends earthly considerations.

Historical Context

James John became prominent. James first apostle martyred (Acts 12:2) by Herod AD 44. John became beloved disciple authored Fourth Gospel three epistles Revelation leader until death around AD 100 after Patmos exile. Jesus nicknamed them Boanerges sons of thunder reflecting fiery temperaments. Mother requested they sit at Jesus right left showing family ambition Jesus corrected. Zebedee owned boats plural employed servants indicating wealth their sacrifice substantial. Leaving father fulfilled teaching discipleship prioritizes Him above family.

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