The First Disciples

(Matthew 4:18–22, Mark 1:16–20, John 1:35–42)

5 On one occasion while [Jesus] was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret[fn] [with] the crowd pressing in on Him to hear the word of God, 2 He saw two boats at the edge of the lake. The fishermen had left them and were washing [their] nets. 3 [Jesus] got into the boat belonging to Simon [and] asked him to put out a little from shore. And sitting down, He taught the people from the boat.

4 When [Jesus] had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into deep [water] and let down your nets for a catch.”

5 “Master,” Simon replied “we have worked hard all night [without] catching [anything]. But because You say so, I will let down the nets.” 6 When they had done so, they caught [such] a large number of fish [that] their nets began to tear. 7 So they signaled to [their] partners in the other boat to come [and] help them, and they came and filled both boats so [full] that they began to sink.

8 When Simon Peter saw [this], he fell at Jesus’ knees. “Go away from me, Lord,” he said, “for I am a sinful man.” 9 For he and his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken,

10 and so [were] [his] partners James and John, [the] sons of Zebedee. “{Do} not be afraid,” Jesus said to Simon. “From now on you will catch men.” 11 And when they had brought [their] boats ashore, they left everything [and] followed Him.