Big Idea: Being a disciple of Jesus means recognizing our own unworthiness before a sovereign God, having a willingness to leave all to follow him, and recruiting others for the task of discipleship (“fishing for people”).

Understanding the Text

Luke’s account has hitherto depicted Jesus acting alone, though the unexplained mention of Simon in 4:38 has hinted that others are already associated with him. Now Luke fills in the background to that mention by telling of the recruitment of the first and closest of the disciples who will accompany Jesus in his ministry. They are the first of a growing number of people publicly associated with Jesus (5:33; 6:17), of whom the Twelve will be only a select few chosen to be his closest associates (6:13). From here on this will be the story not of Je…