Jesus chose unlearned fishermen because they had not been schooled in the traditions and erroneous customs of their time. They were men of native ability, and they were humble and teachable,--men whom He could educate for His work. In the common walks of life there is many a man patiently treading the round of daily toil, unconscious that he possesses powers which, if called into action, would raise him to an equality with the world's most honored men. The touch of a skillful hand is needed to arouse those dormant faculties. It was such men that Jesus called to be His colaborers; and He gave them the advantage of association with Himself. Never had the world's great men such a teacher. When the disciples came forth from the Saviour's training, they were no longer ignorant and uncultured. They had become like Him in mind and character, and men took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus.

Jesus udvalgte ulærde fiskere, fordi de ikke var blevet oplært i deres tids traditioner og fejlagtige skikke. De var mænd med medfødt dygtighed, og de var beskedne og lærvillige, de var mænd, som han kunne oplære til sin tjeneste. Mangen mand i jævne kår passer tålmodigt sit daglige arbejde uden at ane, at han er i besiddelse af evner, som, hvis de kom til udfoldelse, ville hæve ham op i plan med verdens højest ærede mænd. Der kræves berøring af en duelig hånd til at vække disse slumrende evner. Det var denne slags mennesker, som Jesus valgte til medarbejdere, og han gav dem det fortrin frem for andre at være sammen med ham. Aldrig har denne verdens store haft en sådan lærer. Da disciplene havde modtaget Frelserens oplæring, var de ikke mere uvidende eller uoplyste. De var kommet til at ligne ham i sind og væsen, og andre mennesker kendte på dem, at de havde været sammen med Jesus.