Mark 1:20

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

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(20) With the hired servants.—Peculiar to this Gospel, and of some interest as throwing light on the relative social position of the sons of Zebedee.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

1:14-22 Jesus began to preach in Galilee, after that John was put in prison. If some be laid aside, others shall be raised up, to carry on the same work. Observe the great truths Christ preached. By repentance we give glory to our Creator whom we have offended; by faith we give glory to our Redeemer who came to save us from our sins. Christ has joined these two together, and let no man think to put them asunder. Christ puts honour upon those who, though mean in this world, are diligent in their business and kind to one another. Industry and unity are good and pleasant, and the Lord Jesus commands a blessing on them. Those whom Christ calls, must leave all to follow him; and by his grace he makes them willing to do so. Not that we must needs go out of the world, but we must sit loose to the world; forsake every thing that is against our duty to Christ, and that cannot be kept without hurt to our souls. Jesus strictly kept the sabbath day, by applying himself unto, and abounding in the sabbath work, in order to which the sabbath rest was appointed. There is much in the doctrine of Christ that is astonishing; and the more we hear it, the more cause we see to admire it.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

See the notes at Matthew 4:18-22.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

Mr 1:14-20. Christ Begins His Galilean Ministry—Calling of Simon and Andrew, James and John.

See on [1399]Mt 4:12-22.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

See Poole on "Mark 1:16"

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And straightway he called them,.... As soon as he saw them; for he was looking out for them, having appointed them long before to the service he now called them to;

and they left their father Zebedee with the hired servants, and went after him. It might seem unnatural, had they left their father alone in the ship, to have taken the care and management of it, and therefore it is added, "with the hired servants"; who were hired for that purpose, to assist in mending the nets, and casting them, and managing the ship, and conducting it from place to place, and therefore were not to be charged with want of humanity; and such was the power that went along with Christ's call, that notwithstanding natural affection to their parents, and the gain they might get by these servants and their trade, they cheerfully quitted all, and followed Christ; See Gill on Matthew 4:22.

Geneva Study Bible

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

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Expositor's Greek Testament

Mark 1:20. μετὰ μισθωτῶν: they left their father with the hired assistants. This is taken by some as a merely pictorial trait, but others justly regard it as a touch of humanity. It comforted Mk. and probably his voucher Peter that the two brothers did not need to leave their father alone. He could do without them.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

20. straightway] Notice the frequency of this formula of transition. It has occurred just before, Mark 1:18.

the hired servants] The mention of these, of the two vessels employed (Luke 5:7), and the subsequent allusion to St John’s acquaintance with a person in so high a position as the high priest (John 18:15), seem to indicate that Zebedee, if not a wealthy man, was at any rate of some position at Capernaum.

went after him] For the miraculous draught of fishes which accompanied or followed this incident see Luke 5:2-11. Observe how gradually the Four had been called to their new work; (1) first they were disciples of the Baptist (John 1:35); (2) then they were directed by him to the Lamb of God (John 1:36); (3) afterwards they were invited by our Lord to see where He dwelt (John 1:39); (4) then they became witnesses of His first miracle (John 2:2); (5) now after a further exhibition of His power over nature they are enrolled amongst His attached followers. The still more formal call was yet to come.

Bengel's Gnomen

Mark 1:20. Μισθωτῶν, the hired servants) It is probable from this that Zebedee was not a poor man.

Mark 1:20

Vincent's Word Studies

With the hired servants

Peculiar to Mark. It may imply that Zebedee carried on his business on a larger scale than ordinary fishermen.