A COMMENTARY ON MARK
LESSON NUMBER 10
JESUS CALLS JAMES AND JOHN
“ Mark 1:19 And when He had gone a little farther thence, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets. 20 And straightway He called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after Him. ” (Mark 1:19-20)
INTRODUCTION
We are being exposed to several facets of Christ’s ministry. This is something of what was involved in the Word becoming flesh (John 1:14), being brought into the world (Heb 1:6), and being sent into the world (John 3:17). One thing will become very apparent in the book of Mark – Jesus did not come into the world to be a mere spectacle. He was not like a diamond being put on display, yet uninvolved with the people. While men did behold Him, He did not come into the world to be beheld as men view relics in a museum. Jesus was active – always doing something. None of what He did could be called entertainment or amusement. He was not on display like Samson in the Philistine arena. There was purpose and deliberation in what He did. Jesus was never intended to be the subject of novel interest or academic study. He is not to be studied like Rameses, Alexander the Great, or Socrates. He is not merely the Subject of history – an interesting consideration during the drone of life’s monotony. He was a Person, and He conducted His life with purpose and objective. The “fulness of the Godhead” dwelt in Him (Col 1:19; 2:9), and it was expressed in where He went, what He said, and what He did. His experiences – all of them – pertained to His mission, whether it was being born in a stable, raised in Nazareth, going to the Temple when He was twelve years of age, or going about doing good, healing all who were oppressed of the devil. In order to gain true benefit from the Savior, we must come to the point where we can connect what He did during His ministry with the purpose for which He was sent into the world.
A LITTLE FARTHER THENCE
“ Mark 1:19 And when He had gone a little farther thence . . . ” Other versions read, “a little farther from there,” NKJV “went a little farther,” NRSV and “walked along a little farther.” NAB Matthew reads, “And going on from thence” (Matt 4:21).
The idea is that after Jesus had seen and called Peter and Andrew, He continued walking toward Capernaum. It is possible for
a person or persons to go some place and never see anything along the way – to be oblivious of what is all around them. But this was not the case with Jesus. He was acutely aware of His surroundings at all times, and never missed an opportunity that would reveal and contribute to His mission.
While others grew accustomed to the surrounding, Jesus could be in a synagogue to teach, and see in the crowd a man with a “withered hand” (Lk 6:6-8). He could sit wearied on a well, and take special note of a Samaritan woman who would respond to His invitation (John 4:6-7). While teaching in a synagogue on the Sabbath day, He would see a woman with a spirit of infirmity, who for eighteen years had been bowed together (Luke 18:10-12). On the way to the house of Jairus, whose daughter lay dying, he was aware of a single woman in the crowd who touched the hem of His garment (Lk 8:41-45). On the night of His betrayal, when the powers of darkness were granted their “hour” to do their worst, he took the time to heal the severed ear of Malchus, one of the arresting soldiers (Luke 22:49-51).
Christ always considered His mission – never unplugging from it. In this, He lived out the proper mode of livined. All of life is to be lived in view of its ultimate aim. For Jesus, it was to lay down His life, and take it up again, thereby securing redemption for a fallen race. From the time He began to grow in favor with God and man (Lk 2:52), He lived to “be about” His “Father’s business” – not merely living a virtuous life, but integrating everything He did with the ultimate reason for being sent into the world.
This is a lofty view of life, indeed, but it is the only valid way to live. It reveals the folly of living for self-gratification, oblivious to opportunities that are all about us. It confirms that our highest moments are not when we are being entertained, realizing security in this world, and enjoying some measure of earthly success. There is a higher, more noble, more satisfying reason for living, and we see it in the words of this text: “And when He had gone a little farther” NIV – “a little farther” en route to Capernaum; to the gathering of a holy cluster of devoted disciples; to the death He came to accomplish; to the time when the door of salvation would be thrown open by the enthroned Savior.
Jesus has just finished making a decision that directly related to the accomplishment of His purpose – the calling of Simon and Andrew. They would play a vital role in the execution of His purpose, being among the “twelve Apostles,” who themselves would be a foundation within His church (Eph 2:20). He is thinking of the will of His Father.
One small note on the words, “a little further.” From this text, together with several others, it is apparent that the life of our Lord was not marked by large gaps of spiritual impotence and a lack of personal involvement with His Father. He lived in such a manner as allowed Him to say, “I do always those things that please Him” (John 8:29). It is to be our aim to eliminate from our lives dry and fruitless periods. Our involvement with the Lord and His will can be preceded by going “a little farther,” rather than lengthy pit experiences. Indeed, this is a lofty view that few have realized. Yet, Jesus confirmed this can be done, for He accomplished this as “a man” who was “straightened” in a body of flesh (Lk 12:50).
Christ’s ministry directed to individuals. Jesus’ ministry began with a public posture – being baptized publically. It was followed by an intensely personal period, when He was tempted by the devil for forty days and nights. Then, in the power of the Spirit, He began a public declaration of His message – that men ought to repent, for the kingdom of heaven was at hand. We are now beholding Jesus walking to Capernaum – in a seemingly neutral posture. Yet, here His ministry has taken a turn toward specific individuals. Already He has called Simon and Andrew, directing a specific word to them: “Come ye after Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (1:17). Now, He is going to focus His attention on two more men.
In order to personally profit from the Lord Jesus, there must come a time when His attention is directed to you personally. The “crowd” mentality is not the posture in which lasting benefits are realized. There is a vast difference between a multitude of 5,000 men, and a young “lad . . . which had five barley loaves, and two small fishes” (John 6:9). All of those men, together with the lad, ate the miraculous meal Jesus served up that day. But who is not able to see that the young “lad” really received much more than the multitude. So it is in our text. Assuming that, as usual, a great multitude was following Jesus (Matt 4:25), here are some men singled out of all of the rest to obtain a special benefit.
HE SAW JAMES AND HIS BROTHER JOHN
“ 20 . . . He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.”
HE SAW. This is a phrase that describes Divine focus and intent. Several times in the Gospels it is said of Jesus that “He saw.” In addition to seeing Simon, Andrew, James, and John, Jesus is said to have seen: 1–“the Spirit of God descending as a dove” (Matt 3:16). 2–Peter’s ill mother-in-law (Matt 8:14). 3–Levi, also called Matthew (Matt 9:9). 4–The woman who touched His garment (Matt 9:22). 5–The wandering multitudes (Matt 9:36). 6–His disciples toiling in the midst of a storm (Mk 6:48). 7–The faith of four men who brought an impotent man to Him (Lk 5:20). 8–Ten lepers (Lk 17:13-14). 9–The city of Jerusalem (Lk 19:41). 10–A poor widow casting two mites into the Temple treasury (Lk 21:2). 11–A man “blind from birth” (John 9:1). Without a single exception, a gracious work followed these events – beginning with Him preaching after He saw the descending Spirit, to the healing of the blind man. When the Lord focuses His attention on anyone or anything, it is the prelude to some action. In most of the cases, it was a blessing.
An awareness of this circumstance is what moved David to reason, “It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good . . . ” (2 Sam 16:12). It moved Isaiah to plead, “Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of Thy holiness and of Thy glory” (Isa 63:15). There is an element of faith that persuades the suffering soul that if only the Lord will see or behold them, help will be sent “from the sanctuary” of heaven (Psa 20:2).
As in the calling of Simon and Andrew, Jesus sees James and John according to the will of His Father – for He only did what the Father was doing. As He Himself said, “The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He seeth the Father do: for what things soever He doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise” (John 5:19). Jesus, then, as He walked to Capernaum, saw what the Father was doing, and thus correlates His perception of two men with that work.
JAMES THE SON OF ZEBEDEE AND JOHN HIS BROTHER. We know from Luke’s Gospel that James and John “were partners with Simon” in the fishing industry (Lk 5:10). Here they are mentioned in connection with their father, “Zebedee.” The name “Zebedee” means “gift of Jehovah.” THAYER From Matthew 27:56 and Mark 15:40, we know that he was the husband of Salome, who followed Jesus and was among some women who ministered to Him. She was also among the women who came to the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body with spices (Mk 16:1). All four Gospels associate James and John with their father (Matt 4:21; 10:2; 26:37; Mk 1:19-20; 3:17; 10:35; Lk 5:10; John 21:2). No such association as made with Simon and Andrew – although Jesus called Simon, “son of Jonas” five times (Matt 16:17; John 1:42; 21:15-17). The point to be seen here is that James and John came from an obviously devoted family.
There was an Apostle referred to as “James the less,” (Mark 15:40), who was “the son of Alphaeus” (Matt 10:3), whose mother was also named “Mary” (Mk 16:1). Although an Apostle, this “James” did not attain to the stature of “James the son of Zebedee.” That is one reason the “James” of our text is singled out as Zebedee’s son, distinguishing him from the son of Alpaeus. Those who imagine that all believers are seen the same, do greatly err. If, among the Apostles themselves, there were two James’, one of which was “less,” such a thought is shown to be wholly erroneous.
James and John are among an elite group of three within the “holy apostles” (Eph 3:5; Rev 18:20). Of “the twelve” they alone were present at Christ’s transfiguration (Matt 17:1), the raising of Jairus’ daughter (Mk 5:42), and during Christ’s agonizing prayer in Gethsemane (Mk 14:33). Together with Peter and Andrew, these brothers were also given Jesus’ “private” teaching from “the mount of Olives” concerning the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the world (Mark 13:3).
Surely, as Jesus called these brothers, He saw them in their coming closeness to Him. These men, together with Simon and Andrew, were the first Jesus summoned to follow Him. That unique distinction characterized the remainder of their lives.
IN THE SHIP MENDING NETS. When Jesus called these unique brothers, they were engaged in an ordinary task – “mending their nets.” Like Simon and Andrew, they were faithfully about their earthly calling. However, the moment Jesus saw them, their lives were about to be changed to the extraordinary. They had proved themselves faithful “in that which is least.” Now they will be called into that which is “much” (Lk 16:10). No soul knows when such a gracious call will come, but when it does, the monotony of life is broken, and a new day dawns upon the soul. It is good to live with a listening ear that calls us higher!
HE CALLED, AND THEY LEFT
“ 15 And straightway He called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after Him.”
STRAIGHTWAY HE CALLED THEM. Upon focusing His attention on James and John, Jesus “immediately” NKJV called them. We know from the text that there were at least five people in the boat: James, John, Zebedee their father, and some “hired servants.” Here, Jesus does not speak of “whosoever will,” as He did on other occasions (Matt 16:25; Mk 8:34; Lk 9:24). Sometimes Jesus “called the multitude” (Matt 15:10). Now, however, He issues a Divine summons to only two men who were on that boat. Matthew said, “and He called them” (Matt 4:21).Once He called some scribes to Himself (Mk 3:23). Another time, from among many followers, “He called unto Him the twelve” (Mk 6:7; Lk 9:1). Another time, while in a synagogue, He called a single infirm woman to Himself (Lk 13:12).
Mark this well, Jesus is not always speaking to the multitudes. There is not only a simple and generic call that issues from His lips. There are places reserved at Jesus side that will only be filled by a select few. As Jesus Himself said, “to sit on My right hand, and on My left, is not Mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of My Father” (Matt 20:23; Mk 10:40). James and John were issued a unique call to an unequaled position. That call was in strict accord with the will of the Father. They were thus separated from several others, who were not ungodly. There is no evidence that Zebedee was in any way considered an unrighteous man. However, there was a higher calling, a more noble work, into which his two sons were called, and from which he was excluded.
This is a great lesson to learn. Everyone in the kingdom of God is not on an equal footing. There are general benefits and privileges that do apply to everyone. But there are special places “prepared” for those like Peter, Andrew, James, and John. There are lofty experiences in which only three of a sanctified twelve can participate. There are marvelous “visions and revelations” that only one like Paul is given to see (2 Cor 12:1).
In my judgment, those who participate in such lofty callings will be separated from the multitudes. They will not be isolated like hermits who live alone. Rather, there will come a certain solitude and loneliness that attend a close and uninterrupted walk with God. Jesus Himself is the most sterling example of such a walk. His Apostles stand out among their peers in this respect. It is quite possible that if you walk in the Spirit, and live by faith, your life will be blessed with a call to higher things, more lofty insights, and rare privileges. You should be able to see this in the text we are reviewing.
It is interesting to observe that James and John were not called during a gathering in the synagogue. Nor, indeed, were they called during one of the ordained high feasts of the Jews. They were called during the ordinary pursuits of life – while they were mending their nets.
THEY LEFT THEIR FATHER IN THE SHIP. When James and John were called out, they went out. Without delay, they responded to a moving Savior, leaving their father and the hired help in the ship. Someone else had to continue mending the nets. As those whom Jesus described as willingly taking the “lower room,” they had heard the Divine summons, “Friend, go up higher” (Lk 14:10) – and they instantly responded.
Just as surely as the word of Jesus to an impotent man – “Rise, take up thy bed, and walk” – was attended by enabling grace and power to do it, so this call from Jesus was surely accompanied by the same, for “His word was with power” (Lk 4:32). That is precisely why James and John were able to respond as they did. The words they heard were mixed with faith, and they were therefore compelled to respond without hesitation.
I do not doubt that many souls have heard the still small voice, calling out “Friend, go up higher!” “Come closer!” “Be more attentive!” “Leave lesser things, and obtain the riches that are for you!” “Come and labor with Me!” Many have done as the rich young man who, after hearing the call of Jesus, “went away sorrowful” – unconvinced that what Jesus offers is greater than what this world presents. Yet, here and there, there is a James or a John whose heart is strangely warmed by the call of the Master. Such are willing to leave the religious multitudes, and follow close to the Savior. Such people are blessed indeed!
AND WENT AFTER HIM. Other versions read, “went away to follow Him,” NASB “went with Him,” LIVING and “and went off after Him [to be His disciples, side with His party, and follow Him].” AMPLIFIED Whether it is being an Apostle, or being among the rank and file of the redeemed, it all begins with following Jesus – with being where He is. It begins with being within the circumference where His voice can be heard, and in the vicinity where His works can be beheld. Jesus has no salvation to give, and no work to do, that does not require the individual to follow Him, and be with Him.