Mark 1:20

Mark 1:20 Meaning and Explanation

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

King James Version (KJV)

Read this verse in context with translation switching:

Read Full Chapter →

Jesus calls them at once, and they leave their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and follow him.

What Does Mark 1:20 Mean?

Again the call lands, and again the response is immediate. James and John leave their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and go after Jesus. Mark's small detail about the servants matters: the family business is left provided for, but the sons and heirs walk away from it.

Following Jesus reordered even the deepest loyalty in their world, the bond between father and son, without dissolving the love beneath it. The claim of Christ comes first, and from that ordering every other love finds its true place. Jesus later promises that no one who leaves home or family for his sake and the gospel's goes unrewarded (Mark 10:29-30). Nothing entrusted to him is ever lost.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mark 1:20

What does Mark 1:20 mean?

Jesus calls them at once, and they leave their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and follow him.

Keep Studying Mark 1

Read the whole chapter in KJV, ASV, or WEB, or go deeper with the chapter study guide and key themes.