Mark 1:20

20 They therefore left their father Zabdi in the boat with the hired men, and went and followed Him.

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 At once they left their nets and followed Him.

19 Going on a little further He saw James the son of Zabdi and his brother John: they also were in the boat mending the nets, and He immediately called them.

20 They therefore left their father Zabdi in the boat with the hired men, and went and followed Him.

21 So they came to Capernaum, and on the next Sabbath He went to the synagogue and began to teach.

22 The people listened with amazement to His teaching--for there was authority about it: it was very different from that of the Scribes--