Calling of the Disciples
Scripture
Matthew 4:18-22
Mark 1:14-20
Luke 5:1-11
John 1:35-42
Similar Passages
Calling of Matthew
Jesus Calls Philip and
Nathanael
Key Differences
There are actually three different stories of
the calling of the disciples. Matthew and Mark tell the
same story while Luke and John have different ones.
Chronologically, it appears that Peter and Andrew are introduced
to Jesus first in the passage in John. They are called a
second time with the miraculous catch of fish in Luke.
James and John as Peter and Andrew's fishing partners are
introduced to Jesus at this time. Finally the stories in
Matthew and Mark tell a third calling by Jesus. At the
third calling they immediately leave everything to follow Jesus.
Additional Commentary
It may seem strange that there are several
stories of the calling of the disciples but this actually makes
it more believable. Most Christians did not become so at
their first introduction to the gospel. Surveys have found
that on average a person must hear the gospel seven times before
they actually accept it.
With the calling of the disciples, they
apparently believe what they hear about Jesus but are not ready
to fully commit to following Him until the third calling.
Today we have numerous people who call themselves Christians
because they believe in Jesus but still aren't fully committed
to following Him. The disciples had to leave everything to
follow Jesus and we are called to do so as well.
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