Devine Scripture

Mark 1:19

What does Mark 1:19 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 1:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 1:19 means

Continuing along the Sea of Galilee, Jesus encountered James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were also fishermen, mending their nets. This shows Jesus intentionally expanding His core group of disciples, choosing individuals from similar backgrounds and occupations. The detail of mending nets suggests diligence and preparation, qualities Jesus would harness for His kingdom work.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And going on a little further, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending the nets.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And going on a little further, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending the nets.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And going on a little farther, he saw James, the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were in their boat stitching up their nets.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And having gone on thence a little, he saw James of Zebedee, and John his brother, and they were in the boat refitting the nets,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And going on from thence a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who also were mending their nets in the ship:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And going on thence a little, he saw James the [son] of Zebedee, and John his brother, and these [were] in the ship repairing the trawl-nets;

Context

This verse builds on the previous account of calling Simon and Andrew (verses 16-18), showing Jesus' continued active recruitment of His inner circle. It introduces James and John, setting the stage for their equally dramatic and immediate call to discipleship, which further illustrates Jesus' authority and the nature of early discipleship.

v.18And straightway they left the nets, and followed him.

v.19This passage

v.20And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after him.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Mark 3:17

    and James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and them he surnamed Boanerges, which is, Sons of thunder:

  • Mark 5:37

    And he suffered no man to follow with him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.

  • Mark 9:2

    And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them;

  • Acts 1:13

    And when they were come in, they went up into the upper chamber, where they were abiding; both Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphæus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James.

  • Mark 10:35

    And there come near unto him James and John, the sons of Zebedee, saying unto him, Teacher, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall ask of thee.

  • Matthew 4:21

    And going on from thence he saw two other brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.

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