Until this time none of the disciples had fully united as colaborers with Jesus. They had witnessed many of His miracles, and had listened to His teaching; but they had not entirely forsaken their former employment. 249 The imprisonment of John the Baptist had been to them all a bitter disappointment. If such were to be the outcome of John's mission, they could have little hope for their Master, with all the religious leaders combined against Him. Under the circumstances it was a relief to them to return for a short time to their fishing. But now Jesus called them to forsake their former life, and unite their interests with His. Peter had accepted the call. Upon reaching the shore, Jesus bade the three other disciples, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." Immediately they left all, and followed Him.

Før dette tidspunkt havde ingen af disciplene fuldt ud medvirket i samarbejde med Jesus. De havde været vidne til mange af hans undergerninger og havde lyttet til hans lære, men de havde ikke fuldstændig forladt deres tidligere beskæftigelse. Johannes Døbers fængsling havde for dem alle været en bitter skuffelse. Hvis dette skulle være resultatet af Johannes' virksomhed, så kunne de ikke gøre sig store forhåbninger med hensyn til deres Mester, som havde alle de religiøse ledere til modstandere. Under disse omstændigheder virkede det som en befrielse for dem for en kort tid at vende tilbage til fiskeriet. Men nu kaldte Jesus dem til at forsage deres tidligere gerning og gøre hans interesser til deres. Peter havde taget imod kaldelsen. Da de nåede kysten, bød Jesus de tre andre disciple: "Kom og følg mig, så vil jeg gøre jer til menneskefiskere." Straks forlod de alt og fulgte ham.