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.

MARK 1:19KJV
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Mark 1:19 (KJV)

What does Mark 1:19 mean?

Mark 1:19 describes how Jesus, after walking a little farther, saw James the son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, busy repairing their fishing nets. This verse shows Jesus noticing two more fishermen as he continues calling his first disciples.

In this scene, Jesus is moving along the shore of the Sea of Galilee. He has just called Simon (Peter) and Andrew, and now he sees another pair of brothers, James and John, working with their father. The verse highlights the ordinary setting—men at work—where Jesus finds his followers, emphasizing that his call reaches people in the middle of their daily lives.

The Greek behind Mark 1:19

  • The word for "mending" is καταρτίζοντας (katartizontas), which means repairing or putting in order. This shows that James and John were not fishing at that moment, but taking care of their equipment, which was a regular and necessary part of their work.
  • The word for "ship" is πλοίῳ (ploiō), which refers to a boat, not a large ship. This helps us picture the scene more accurately: small fishing boats common on the Sea of Galilee, not ocean-going vessels.
  • The Greek word for "nets" is δίκτυα (diktya), meaning fishing nets. The detail about mending nets points to the hard, routine labor involved in their trade.

Why Mark 1:19 matters

  • Mark 1:19 shows that Jesus called ordinary working people, not religious leaders or the wealthy, to be his first followers. This sets the tone for much of Jesus’ ministry.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage by showing the pattern of Jesus personally inviting people to follow him, emphasizing the relational and intentional nature of his call.
  • The detail about mending nets highlights the disciples’ readiness to leave behind not just their work, but also the daily responsibilities and routines of their lives, making their response to Jesus’ call more striking.

Where else these words appear

“gone” Greek G4260 · used in 5 verses

  • Matthew 4:21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.
  • Luke 1:7 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.
  • Luke 1:18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.

“Zebedee” Greek G2199 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 4:21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.
  • Matthew 26:37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
  • Mark 3:17 And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder:

“nets” Greek G1350 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 4:20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.
  • Luke 5:2 And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.
  • Luke 5:6 And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.

“mending” Greek G2675 · used in 13 verses

  • Matthew 4:21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.
  • 1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
  • Hebrews 10:5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: