{"id":47391,"date":"2023-06-18T23:56:01","date_gmt":"2023-06-18T20:56:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=47391"},"modified":"2025-05-25T23:38:49","modified_gmt":"2025-05-25T20:38:49","slug":"when-were-peter-and-andrew-called-by-jesus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2023\/06\/18\/when-were-peter-and-andrew-called-by-jesus\/","title":{"rendered":"When Were Peter and Andrew Called by Jesus?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Question:<\/strong><\/p>\n

In Luke 5:1\u20137<\/em>, we read that Jesus called Peter and Andrew while they were fishing by the Sea of Galilee. But in John 1:35\u201342<\/em>, it seems they had already met Jesus earlier while following John the Baptist. Does this mean the Bible is contradicting itself?<\/p>\n

Answer:<\/strong>
\nNot at all. What we have here are two distinct events<\/strong> in the lives of Peter and Andrew. The Bible does not contradict itself\u2014rather, it offers complementary perspectives from different writers. Understanding the historical and theological context helps us see how these accounts fit together seamlessly.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s look at the two passages:<\/p>\n

\n

1. The First Encounter \u2013 John 1:35\u201342<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This event marks the initial meeting between Jesus, Andrew, and Peter.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThe next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, \u2018Look, the Lamb of God!\u2019
\nWhen the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus…
\nAndrew, Simon Peter\u2019s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus.
\nThe first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, \u2018We have found the Messiah\u2019 (that is, the Christ).
\nAnd he brought him to Jesus…\u201d
\n(John 1:35\u201342)<\/em><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

At this point, Andrew and another disciple (likely John, the Gospel writer himself) begin following Jesus out of personal interest and conviction, having heard John the Baptist declare Him as the \u201cLamb of God.\u201d Andrew\u2019s excitement leads him to bring his brother Simon (Peter) to Jesus. This is their first introduction<\/strong> to Christ, but Jesus does not yet call them to full-time discipleship.<\/p>\n

\n

2. The Call to Discipleship \u2013 Luke 5:1\u201311<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Later, Jesus meets Peter and Andrew again while they are fishing and gives them a specific call to follow Him.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cOne day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret… He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon…
\nWhen he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, \u2018Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.\u2019
\nSimon answered, \u2018Master, we\u2019ve worked hard all night and haven\u2019t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.\u2019
\nWhen they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.\u201d
\n(Luke 5:1\u20136)<\/em><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

After this miracle, Jesus tells them:<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018Don\u2019t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.\u2019 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.\u201d
\n(Luke 5:10b\u201311)<\/em><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This moment marks a clear turning point<\/strong>\u2014not just knowing Jesus, but committing to follow Him fully<\/strong>. Peter and Andrew\u2019s decision to leave their nets reflects repentance, faith, and submission to Christ\u2019s lordship. This aligns with Jesus\u2019 pattern of progressive revelation and calling, as seen throughout the Gospels.<\/p>\n

\n

Harmonizing the Two Events<\/h3>\n

The Gospel of John shows us their initial faith and interest<\/strong>, while Luke shows us the moment of radical obedience and calling<\/strong>. These are not contradictory, but complementary<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

This two-stage calling fits the biblical pattern:<\/p>\n