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Epiphany Season · Third Sunday in Ordinary Time · Year B

Mark 1:14-20

The Calling of the First Disciples

January 24, 2027

The Calling of Saints Peter and Andrew, After Federico Barocci
The Calling of Saints Peter and Andrew, After Federico Barocci, 1590–1609Museum of King Jan III’s Palace at Wilanów, Warsaw
Christ in red and blue stands at the water’s edge and points; Andrew kneels before him while Peter climbs out of the boat with the nets.Jesus said to them, Follow me and I will make you fish for people. And immediately they left their nets and followed him.After Federico BarocciA copy, made in or near Barocci’s lifetime, of his altarpiece of the calling of the fishermen apostles.Museum of King Jan III’s Palace at Wilanów, WarsawThe Museum of King Jan III’s Palace at Wilanów, the baroque royal palace in Warsaw.Museum of King Jan III’s Palace at Wilanów, Warsaw
Roman Lectionary
GospelMark 1:14-20Mk 1:14-20
Second Reading1 Cor. 7:29-311 Cor 7:29-31
First ReadingJonah 3:1-5, 10Jon 3:1-5, 10
Responsorial PsalmPs. 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9 (4a)Ps 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9 (4a)

Overview & Insights

“Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” (Mark 1:17)

Jesus reacts to two types of people: (1) those who are willing to commit to him, like the first four disciples, and who are re-created by Jesus to “fish for people”; (2) those who remain outside him and thus will experience his authority to vanquish the powers of darkness.

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Commentary

Commentary on Mark 1:14-20Commentary on Mk 1:14-20 Working Preacher

Luther Seminary reading of the fullness of time and Jesus calling the first fishermen.

Mark 1:14-20 CommentaryMk 1:14-20 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

Reformed take on the rag-tag disciples who follow with no idea where it leads.

Mark 1 (Enduring Word Bible Commentary)Mk 1 (Enduring Word Bible Commentary) Enduring Word · David Guzik

Verse-by-verse evangelical commentary on the opening of Mark's Gospel.

The Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) Catholic Productions · Brant Pitre

Dr. Brant Pitre connects Jonah, Paul, and the call of the disciples in the Catholic Mass readings.

Mark 1:14-20 CommentariesMk 1:14-20 Commentaries BibleHub

Aggregated classic commentaries on the proclamation of the kingdom and the call by the sea.

Third Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle B (Sunday Connection) Loyola Press · Sunday Connection

Catholic family and catechetical reflection on Jesus calling the fishermen.

Background & Word Study

Gospel of Mark OverviewGospel of Mk Overview BibleProject

Animated overview of Mark's structure and fast-paced narrative of Jesus.

Mark 1:14 InterlinearMk 1:14 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek interlinear for close word study of kairos, gospel, and repentance in the call.

The Church Fathers

Catena on Mark 1Catena on Mk 1 Catena

Patristic and medieval comment chained to each verse of Mark 1.

Sermons & Reflections

Fishing for People Journey with Jesus

Essay on why the four followed immediately and how the call is God's promise to us.

Mark 1:14-20 (Sacred Space)Mk 1:14-20 (Sacred Space) Sacred Space · Irish Jesuits

Irish Jesuit guided prayer through the passage of the call by the Sea of Galilee.

Podcast

SB398 Third Sunday after Epiphany (Sermon Brainwave) Working Preacher

Podcast conversation among Luther Seminary faculty on this Sunday's texts.

Art & Music

Third Sunday after the Epiphany, Year B (Art in the Christian Tradition) Vanderbilt

Curated religious art keyed to this Sunday's readings for worship and reflection.

Study Hub

Mark 1:14-20 (Textweek)Mk 1:14-20 (Textweek) Textweek

Master index of commentaries, sermons, and study resources for this Gospel.

Questions preachers ask

How does Jesus call the first disciples?

Announcing that the kingdom of God is at hand, Jesus calls Simon, Andrew, James, and John from their nets, and at once they leave everything to follow him.

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