Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.
Here is, I. A general account of Christ's preaching in Galilee. John gives an account of his preaching in Judea, before this (ch. 2 and 3), which the other evangelists had omitted, who chiefly relate what occurred in Galilee, because that was least known at Jerusalem. Observe, 1. When Jesus began to preach in Galilee; After that John was put in prison.
Commenting on Mark 1:14-22
Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee,.... The same with the sea of Tiberias, Joh 6:1, he saw Simon: whose surname was Peter, the son of Jonas: and Andrew his brother; the brother of Simon, casting a net into the sea; of Galilee, in order to catch fish: for they were fishers: by occupation, this was their trade and business, by which they...
In this history of our Saviour's calling the four disciples, Peter and Andrew, James and John, observe these particulars. 1. The meanness of the persons whom he calls, illiterate fishermen: Christ took hereby effectual care that his gospel should be known to be the power of God, and not the wisdom and device of man; and that the instruments should not carry away the glory of the work. Observe, 2.