Immediately they left their nets and followed him. The immediacy of the disciples' response — they left their nets immediately — is one of the striking features of the synoptic calling narratives. There is no recorded deliberation, no family meeting, no transition plan. The nets represent their livelihood, their economic security, their social identity. They left all of it immediately. John 1:35–42 records an earlier meeting between Jesus and these disciples that may account for the immediacy — they had encountered him before this moment. Luke 5:1–11 provides additional context about a miraculous catch. But Matthew focuses on the immediacy as a model of response: the call of Jesus requires a decision that cannot be endlessly deferred.

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