The First Four Fulltime Disciples

Matthew 4:18-22

And Jesus, walking beside the sea of Galilee, saw two brothers; Simon called Peter, and his brother, Andrew, fishing from the shore, casting a net into the sea as was their occupation. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately, they left their nets and followed him.

Continuing, he saw two other brothers, James ben Zebedee, and his brother John, with Zebedee their father, abord his ship mending their nets. Jesus called them and they, too, immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.

Mark 1:16-20

Passing along by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.” And immediately, they dropped their nets, and followed him.

And when he had gone a little further, he saw James ben Zebedee, and John his brother, who were in the ship mending their nets. And he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and immediately went with him.

Luke 5:1-11

One day, as Jesus stood by the lake of Gennesaret and the people crowded around him to hear him teach the word of God, he saw two boats at the shore. The fishermen were not in them, but were out cleaning their nets. He entered one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to move out a bit from the shore. From there, he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished teaching, he said to Simon, “Pull out into the deep, and lower your nets for a big catch.”

And Simon answered him and said, “Rabbi, we have fished all night and caught nothing. Nevertheless, as you say, I will let down the nets.”

And when they did this, their nets almost broke with the load of fish. They called their partners in the other boat to come help them and filled both boats so full they began to sink!

When Simon Peter saw this, he fell down at Jesus's knees, saying, “Leave me Lord, for I am a sinful man.” He and his crew were astonished at the size of their catch. And so was James and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on, you will catch men.”

And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.