The Calling of the First Disciples^(A)

¹⁶ As He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, his brother, throwing a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. ¹⁷ Jesus said to them, “Come, follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” ¹⁸ Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.

¹⁹ When He had gone a little farther from there, He saw James the son of Zebedee and John, his brother, who also were in the boat mending their nets. ²⁰ Immediately He called them. And they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed Him.

The Calling of the First Disciples^(A)

5 As the people pressed upon Him to hear the word of God, He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret ² and saw two boats beside the lake. But the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. ³ He entered one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to thrust it out a little from the land. Then He sat down and taught the people from the boat.

⁴ When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”

⁵ Simon answered Him, “Master, we have worked all night and have caught nothing. But at Your word I will let down the net.”

⁶ When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was tearing. ⁷ So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink.

⁸ When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” ⁹ For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken, ¹⁰ and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon.

Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not fear. From now on you will catch men.” ¹¹ So when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him.