Mark 1:16-20

Mark 1:16-20
NL 201

BibleHub

16 As Jesus passedA along the SeaB of Galilee,C

Notes on verse 16a

A “passed” = parago. 11x in NT. From para (by, beside, in the presence of, alongside) + ago (to lead, bring, carry, guide, go, drive). This is to lead near or by, to pass by, go along, be a passer-by.
B “Sea” = thalassa. Perhaps from hals (sea, salt, a boy of saltwater) or halas (salt; can be figurative for prudence). This is the sea, a lake, or seashore.
C “Galilee” = Galilaia. From Hebrew galil (cylinder, circuit, district); from galal (to roll in a literal or figurative sense, roll away, roll down, wallow, remove, trust). This is Galilee, meaning perhaps region or cylinder.

he sawD SimonE and his brotherF AndrewG

Notes on verse 16b

D “saw” = horao. To see, perceive, attend to, look upon, experience. Properly, to stare at and so implying clear discernment. This, by extension, would indicate attending to what was seen and learned. This is to see, often with a metaphorical sense. Can include inward spiritual seeing.
E “Simon” = Simon. From Hebrew Shimon (Simon – Jacob’s son and his tribe); from shama (to hear, often implying attention and obedience). This is Simon, meaning “he who hears.”
F “brother” = adelphos. From a (with, community, fellowship) + delphus (womb). This is a brother in a literal or figurative sense. It is also used of another member of the Church.
G “Andrew” = Andreas. 13x in NT. From aner (man, male, sir, husband). This is Andrew, meaning manly.

casting a netH into the sea, for they wereI fishers.J 

Notes on verse 16c

H “casting a net” = ballo. This is to throw, cast, rush, place, or drop. It is throwing, but it could be with more or less velocity and with more or less force/violence.
I “were” = eimi. This is to be, exist.
J “fishers” = halieus. Related to “Sea” in v16. 5x in NT. From hals (see note B above). This is a sailor, which implies fishermen. The term is used for those who fish on saltwater and freshwater.

17 And JesusK said to them, “FollowL me, and I will makeM youN fishers of people.”O 

Notes on verse 17

K “Jesus” = Iesous. From Hebrew Yehoshua (Joshua, the Lord is salvation); {from YHVH (proper name of the God of Israel; the self-existent and eternal one); {from havah (to become) or from hayah (to come to pass, become, be)} + yasha (to deliver, defend, help, preserve, rescue; properly, to be open, wide or free, which implies being safe. So, in a causative sense, this is to free someone)}. This is Jesus or Joshua in Greek – the Lord saves or the Lord is salvation.
L “follow” = deute + opiso. Deute is 12x in NT. From deuro (come here, hither, hence, now, until now). This is come, follow – as an exclamatory mood. Opiso is related to “saw” in v16.  From the same as opisthen (after, back, from the rear); probably from opis (back); from optanomai (to appear, be seen); perhaps from horao (see note D above). This is back, behind, after.
M “make” = poieo. This is to make, do, act, construct, abide, or cause.
N {untranslated} = ginomai. This is to come into being, to happen, become, be born. It can be to emerge from one state or condition to another or is coming into being with the sense of movement or growth.
O “people” = anthropos. Related to “Andrew” in v16 & to “saw” in v16. Probably from aner (see note G above) + ops (eye, face); {from optanomai (see note L above)}. This is human, humankind. Used for all genders.

18 And immediatelyP they leftQ their netsR and followedS him. 

Notes on verse 18

P “immediately” = eutheos. From euthus (immediately, upright, straight and not crooked); {perhaps from eu (good, well, well done, rightly) + tithemi (to place, lay, set, establish)}. This is directly, soon, at once.
Q “left” = aphiemi. From apo (from, away from) + hiemi (to send). This is send away, release, permit, forgive, allow to depart, discharge, or send forth.
R “nets” = diktuon. 12x in NT. From dikein (to cast); probably from diko (to cast). A fishing net or any net used in hunting.
S “followed” = akoloutheo. From a (with, fellowship, union) + keleuthos (road, way). This is to accompany or follow someone, especially the way a disciple does.

19 As he wentT a littleU farther, he saw JamesV son of ZebedeeW

Notes on verse 19a

T “went” = probaino. 5x in NT. From pro (before, ahead, earlier than, above) + the same as basis (a step, pace, foot); {from baino (to walk, to go)}. This is to go forward literally or to advance in years.
U “little” = oligos. This is few or small – it can be a short time or extent, low light, amount, or worth.
V “James” = Iakobos. From Hebrew Yaaqob (Jacob); from the same as aqeb (heel, hind part, hoof, rear guard of an army, one who lies in wait, usurper). This is James, meaning heel grabber or usurper.
W “Zebedee” = Zebedaios. Related to “Jesus” in v17. 12x in NT. From Hebrew zebadyah (Zebadiah, “The Lord has bestowed”); {from Zabad (to bestow, confer, endure) + Yah (God, the Lord; a shortening of the sacred name of the God of Israel); {from YHVH (see note K above)}. This is Zebedee, meaning “the Lord has bestowed.”

and his brother John,X who were in their boatY mendingZ the nets. 

Notes on verse 19b

X “John” = Ioannes. Related to “Jesus” in v17 & “Zebedee” in v19. From Hebrew yochanan (Johanan); from Yehochanan (“the Lord has been gracious”); {from YHVH (see note K above)} + chanan (beseech, show favor, be gracious; properly, to bend in kindness to someone with less status). This is John, meaning “the Lord has been gracious.”
Y “boat” = ploion. From pleo (to sail, voyage); probably from pluno (to plunge – so to wash); from pluo (to flow). This is a boat, ship, or vessel.
Z “mending” = katartizo. 13x in NT. From kata (down, against, throughout, among) + artizo (get ready, prepare); {from artios (perfect, complete, ready, adequate, fitted); from arti (now, in the moment); from airo (raise, take up, lift, remove)}. This is to prepare, complete, perfect for final use. This is restoring something to a good condition, whether for the first time or one more. It is to repair in a literal or figurative sense.

20 Immediately he calledAA them, and they left their fatherBB Zebedee in the boat with the hired menCC and followedDD him.

Notes on verse 20

AA “called” = kaleo. Related to keleuo (to command, order, direct); from kelomai (to urge on). This is to call by name, invite, to name, bid, summon, call aloud.
BB “father” = pater. This is father in a literal or figurative sense. Could be elder, senior, ancestor, originator, or patriarch.
CC “hired men” = misthotos. 3x in NT. From misthoo (to hire for a wage, engage); from misthos (wages, pay, salary; reward, recompense, punishment; pay for services rendered in a literal or figurative way, good or bad). This is a hired servant or someone who works for a wage.
DD “followed” = aperchomai + opiso. Aperchomai is from apo (from, away from) + erchomai (to come or go). This is to depart, follow, or go off in a literal or figurative sense. Opiso is the same as “follow” in v17. See note L above.


Image credit: “Sea of Galilee: Fish and Fishing Nets” by LUMO Project.

You May Also Like

Leave a Reply