Mark 1:20

20 He immediately called them, and they left their father Zebedee and the hired men in the boat and followed Jesus.

Mark 1:20 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 1:20

And straightway he called them
As soon as he saw them; for he was looking out for them, having appointed them long before to the service he now called them to;

and they left their father Zebedee with the hired servants, and went
after him.
It might seem unnatural, had they left their father alone in the ship, to have taken the care and management of it, and therefore it is added, "with the hired servants"; who were hired for that purpose, to assist in mending the nets, and casting them, and managing the ship, and conducting it from place to place, and therefore were not to be charged with want of humanity; and such was the power that went along with Christ's call, that notwithstanding natural affection to their parents, and the gain they might get by these servants and their trade, they cheerfully quitted all, and followed Christ; (See Gill on Matthew 4:22).

Mark 1:20 In-Context

18 They immediately left their nets and followed him.

19 As Jesus went on a little farther, he saw James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They were in a boat preparing their nets [to go fishing].

20 He immediately called them, and they left their father Zebedee and the hired men in the boat and followed Jesus.

21 Then they went to Capernaum. On the next day of worship, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach.

22 The people were amazed at his teachings. Unlike their scribes, he taught them with authority.