OET interlinear MARK 1:16

1:16a

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee: This clause introduces the next event and tells where it happened. The previous section told what Jesus was doing over a period of time. Because of that, it may be helpful here to indicate that the event in this paragraph happened on a particular day. For example, the NLT96 says:

One day as Jesus was walking along the shores of the Sea of Galilee (NLT96)

beside: The word beside indicates that Jesus was walking along the shore. Use a natural word in your language to refer to the land close to the edge of a lake.

the Sea of Galilee: The phrase that the BSB translates as Sea of Galilee refers to an inland lake that had fresh water. Use an appropriate word in your language for this type of lake. For example:

Lake Galilee (CEV)

Lake Galilee was about 21 kilometers long and 11 kilometers wide (13.1 miles long and 6.9 miles wide). If your language has different words for “lake” based on its size, this information may help you decide which word to use.

If lakes are not known in your area, consider using a descriptive phrase. For example:

wide pond

broad pool

1:16b

Simon: This is the first time that Simon is mentioned in the book of Mark. Jesus later named him “Peter” (3:16b). You may wish to add a footnote about that here. For example:

Simon was also called Peter (see Mark 3:16).

and his brother Andrew: Andrew was Simon’s brother. The text does not indicate whether he was the older brother or the younger brother. However, most scholars believe that Peter was the older brother. It is also likely that Peter and Andrew had the same father and mother. Use the appropriate term in your language to refer to this relationship.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

the brother/sibling-pair, Simon and Andrew

Simon and Andrew, his younger sibling

1:16c

casting a net: The Greek word that the BSB translates as casting a net refers to throwing a net into the water to catch fish. The person who casts the net may stand either on shore or in a boat.

In some languages it may be difficult to translate the idea of throwing a net into the water. Do not use a phrase that implies that the brothers were throwing their nets away. In some languages it may be good to use a more general expression. For example:

catching fish with a net (GNT)

fishing with a net (NLT96)

net: The type of net that was used in this context was made of string or thread. The string was knotted together to form a circle and small weights were attached to the edges to make it sink quickly. It was small enough for one man to handle.

into the sea: In areas where people are familiar with net fishing, it may not be necessary to include the words into the sea. If that is true in your language, you may leave the information implicit.

1:16d

for they were fishermen: This clause explains the reason that Simon and Andrew were fishing with a net. The reason is because they were fishermen.

fishermen: The word fishermen refers to men who catch fish and sell them to earn a living. That is their work or occupation. If your translation of “casting a net” in 1:16c used a phrase like “to catch fish,” you may be able to use a more general expression here. For example:

because that was their work