The Explanation of the Holy Gospel According to St. Mark
16-20 Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed Him. And when he had gone a little farther thence, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets. And straightway He called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after Him.
Peter and Andrew were disciples of John the Forerunner; but when they saw John bear witness to Jesus, they went to Jesus. Then when John was put into prison, they became sorrowful and went back again to their own trade. Therefore Christ called them a second time and this second calling is the one here described. See how they supported themselves by honest toil, not by dishonesty; such as were they who were worthy to becomes Christ's first disciples. They immediately put down what was in their hands and followed Him. For one should not procrastinate, but follow at once. After Peter and Andrew the Lord then draws James and John into His net. Although they too were poor, they nonetheless supported their father in his old age. But they left their father, not because it is good to leave one's father, but because he was about tohinder them from following Christ. If you, O reader, are likewise hindered by your parents, leave them and run towards the good. It appears that Zebedee did not believe; but his wie, the mother of the apostles believed and followed, perhaps after Zebedee had died. Know this as well, that Christ first calls for action and deeds, and then for visions of the divine. For Peter signifies action because he is the most fervent and leaps out in front of others. Such is the nature of action. But John signifies vision of the divine, for John is the most filled with theology.
The Explanation by Blessed Theophylact of the Holy Gospel According to St. Mark, pg. 18
Peter and Andrew were disciples of John the Forerunner; but when they saw John bear witness to Jesus, they went to Jesus. Then when John was put into prison, they became sorrowful and went back again to their own trade. Therefore Christ called them a second time and this second calling is the one here described. See how they supported themselves by honest toil, not by dishonesty; such as were they who were worthy to becomes Christ's first disciples. They immediately put down what was in their hands and followed Him. For one should not procrastinate, but follow at once. After Peter and Andrew the Lord then draws James and John into His net. Although they too were poor, they nonetheless supported their father in his old age. But they left their father, not because it is good to leave one's father, but because he was about tohinder them from following Christ. If you, O reader, are likewise hindered by your parents, leave them and run towards the good. It appears that Zebedee did not believe; but his wie, the mother of the apostles believed and followed, perhaps after Zebedee had died. Know this as well, that Christ first calls for action and deeds, and then for visions of the divine. For Peter signifies action because he is the most fervent and leaps out in front of others. Such is the nature of action. But John signifies vision of the divine, for John is the most filled with theology.
The Explanation by Blessed Theophylact of the Holy Gospel According to St. Mark, pg. 18
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