Devine Scripture

Mark 1:20

What does Mark 1:20 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 1:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 1:20 means

Jesus immediately called James and John, and like Simon and Andrew, they responded without delay, leaving their father Zebedee and their hired servants in the boat to follow Him. This immediate and complete break from their family business underscores the absolute priority and persuasive power of Jesus' call. It highlights the cost of discipleship and the willingness to surrender everything for Christ.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he said, Come after me: and they went away from their father Zebedee, who was in the boat with the servants, and came after him.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and immediately he called them, and, having left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, they went away after him.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And forthwith he called them. And leaving their father Zebedee in the ship with his hired men, they followed him.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and straightway he called them; and leaving their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, they went away after him.

Context

This verse immediately follows Jesus' encounter with James and John in verse 19, detailing their decisive response to His call, mirroring that of Simon and Andrew. This action completes the first group of four disciples, demonstrating Jesus' authority to gather followers before He begins His public teaching and healing ministry in Capernaum, which is described next.

v.19And 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.

v.20This passage

v.21And they go into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue and taught.

Cross references

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

  • Matthew 8:21

    And another of the disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

  • 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.

  • Luke 14:26

    If any man cometh unto me, and hateth not his own father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

  • Matthew 10:37

    He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:16

    Wherefore we henceforth know no man after the flesh: even though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now we know him so no more.

  • Mark 10:29

    Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or mother, or father, or children, or lands, for my sake, and for the gospel’s sake,

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