BIBLE STUDY LESSON 14

SERIES Q --- THE SAVIOUR

FOLLOW ME

FOUR FISHERMEN

From Luke 5:1-11

The people crowded closer and closer to Yeshua as He spoke to them by the Sea of Galilee. Before long, Yeshua was pressed to the water’s edge. Nearby, two empty boats stood by the shore, where the fishermen had left them while they washed their nets. Stepping into one boat, Yeshua called to Simon Peter, the owner, and asked him to push it away from the shore. Then Yeshua sat down in the boat and continued speaking to the crowds. When Yeshua had finished, He spoke to Simon Peter. [Push the boat out where the water is deep and get ready for a big catch of fish,] He said. But Simon Peter was discouraged. [We’ve worked all night without catching one fish,] he told Yeshua. [However, I’ll put the nets out again if You say so.] When Simon Peter and a partner had done what Yeshua said, the nets were filled with fish, so full that they began to tear. It was obviously too much for the two fishermen to handle, so they called for their other two partners to bring their boat. When they did, both boats were so filled with fish that they almost sank. When Simon Peter realized what Yeshua had done, he got down on his knees before Him. [Stay away from me, please,] he begged. [I am a sinful man and You must not come near me.] All four of the fishermen, including James and John, sons of Zebedee, were amazed at the large number of fish they had caught. [You must not be afraid of Me,] Yeshua told the men. [I have new work for you to do. You will now become fishers of men, bringing them to YHVH.] After the fishermen brought the boats to shore, they left all that they had, and followed Yeshua.

A DEMON IN YHVH’S HOUSE

From Mark 1:21-28

When Yeshua and His friends arrived in Capernaum, they went to the synagogue to worship on the Shabbat. As the people listened to Yeshua teach, they were amazed. His teaching was different from the teaching of their own religious leaders for He spoke with great authority. Suddenly the service was interrupted by the shout of a man possessed by a demon. [Why have You come here to bother us?] the voice rang out. [Are You trying to destroy us? I know that You are YHVH’s Holy Son.] [You are talking too much! Be quiet, and come out of that man!] Yeshua demanded. Then the demon threw the man into convulsions and screaming with a loud voice, came out of him. The people were all amazed at this and began to talk with one another about it. [What has happened? What kind of teaching is this?] they wondered. [Even the demons obey Him.] Before long, people all over Galilee knew of the miracles that He did, making Yeshua famous among the people.

A TIME FOR HEALING

From Mark 1:29-34

After leaving the synagogue in Capernaum, Yeshua went with James and John to visit Peter and Andrew at their home. Peter’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and someone mentioned this to Yeshua as soon as He arrived. Yeshua went quietly into her room, took her by the hand and lifted her up. Immediately the fever was gone, and she was soon busy at work, preparing dinner for her guests. That evening, people brought their friends and loved ones to Yeshua, hoping that He would heal those who were sick or possessed by demons. Soon most of the people of Capernaum were there. Throughout the evening, Yeshua healed many, and ordered demons to come out of others. Because the demons knew that He was YHVH’s Son, He refused to let them speak, for He did not want them to start trouble.

COMMENTARY

THE FISHERMEN OF GALILEE

Except for the friends of Yeshua, fishermen are not named in the Bible. Fish are not named either, not even the fish of the Sea of Galilee. The word {fish} itself is mentioned a number of times. The Israelites ate fish in Egypt -- Numbers 11:5, and the miracles YHVH worked through Moses caused the fish of the Nile River to die -- Exodus 7:21. Man was given dominion over the fish of the sea -- Genesis 1 :26, and the Israelites named a gate in the temple {The Fish Gate} -- Nehemiah 3:3. But fishing and fishermen are mentioned most often in the life of Moshiach, because Yeshua took at least four fishermen into His closest circle of disciples and friends. Fishing was strenuous hard work, and it naturally attracted a rather rough-and-ready type of person. James and John were called {sons of thunder} before Yeshua changed their lives. After that, John became known for his tenderness. The fishing business along the Sea of Galilee probably supplied food for places as far away as Jerusalem. It is possible John was known to the high priest there because he was the fish merchant for him and his associates -- John 18:15. At one time or another, Peter, Andrew, James and John, as well as Philip, all lived in Bethsaida. It was one of the most flourishing fishing spots on the Sea of Galilee. The name itself meant {House of Fish} or {Fishery.} The historian Josephus said that there were as many as three hundred thirty fishing boats operating on the Sea of Galilee in his day.