THE ATHEIST'S COMPLAINT:
When were Simon, Andrew, James and John called to be disciples? John indicates that Andrew brought Simon to Jesus (John 1:40-42), but says nothing about James or John. Matthew (4:18-20) and Mark (1:16-18) speak about Jesus calling Peter and Andrew from their nets, then James and John afterward. Finally, Luke (5:1-11) speaks of Jesus calling Simon, Andrew, James and John together by way of a miraculous catch of fish. Is there a contradiction?

RESPONSE:
All three accounts (Matthew and Marks are one) are correct. John says nothing about Jesus calling Simon and Andrew as disciples. Andrew heard from John the Baptist that Jesus was the Messiah, and thus got Peter and brought him to Jesus. The only man explicitly called to be a disciple in the context was Philip. To assume that Peter and Andrew became disciples at this specific time is to assume what the text does not reveal.

In Luke's account, it is evident that Peter and Andrew already know Jesus. However, knowing who Jesus is does not automatically make one a disciple. Luke tells of an event which Jesus used to call all four men to discipleship. He went out to sea with Peter and Andrew, and casting their nets, they had a huge catch. James and John set out with their boat to assist. While all this took place, Jesus used the massive catch of fish to call the men as fishers of men. Luke tells us that when they came to shore, they forsook all and followed Jesus.

Matthew and Mark do not give the details of the fishing excursion, but simply make mention of Peter and Andrew casting their nets into the sea. The calling is the same as is found in Luke's gospel, and the result is the same, they left their nets for the Lord. Granted Matthew and Mark's accounts seem to indicate that James and John were called after Andrew and Peter. Indeed, they were. Back to Luke's account, Jesus went out in Andrew and Peter's boat. It would make sense that they received the calling before James and John. The fact that they were already mending their nets is evidence of their work ethic. Any fisherman knows that you must pay immediate attention to your nets to keep them in good repair.

Let me say, a lack of details is not a contradiction. The writers emphasized different points of the same calling. Luke gives greater detail of the event which Jesus used to call the four, Matthew and Mark give greater detail of the precise time of calling.

There is no contradiction.

This article is a response to Skeptic's Annotated Bible, but original article is no longer listed

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