The selection of disciples by Jesus is a significant event mentioned in the New Testament. The disciples were chosen to follow Jesus and learn from him, ultimately becoming his closest companions and spreading his teachings.
The first mention of Jesus choosing his disciples is in the Gospel of Matthew. In chapter 4, verse 18-22, Jesus calls Simon Peter and Andrew, who were brothers and fishermen by profession. He tells them, “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” They immediately leave their nets and follow him.
In the same chapter, Jesus then calls James and John, also brothers and fishermen by trade. They were working with their father Zebedee when Jesus approached them. He called them to follow him, and they left everything to become his disciples.
In the Gospel of Mark chapter 1, verse 16-20, we find a similar account where Jesus calls Simon Peter and Andrew while they were casting their nets into the sea. He then calls James and John who were with their father in a boat preparing their nets.
In Luke’s Gospel chapter 5 verse 1-11, we see that while Peter was washing his nets after an unsuccessful night of fishing, Jesus comes to him and asks him to put out into deep water to catch fish. When Peter obeys this command despite being initially skeptical due to lack of success earlier on that day; he catches so many fish that his boat begins to sink!
It is at this point that Peter realizes he’s in the presence of someone special – he falls down at Jesus’ feet saying “Go away from me Lord; I am a sinful man!” (Luke 5:8). But instead of leaving him alone or condemning him for his sins as many might have expected given Peter’s reaction here – instead Christ tells Peter not to be afraid because he will make him a fisher of men!
Lastly in John’s Gospel Chapter 1 verse 35-51, we see Jesus calling his disciples differently. John the Baptist was standing with two of his disciples when Jesus walked by.
John points to Jesus and says, “Look, the Lamb of God!” The two disciples follow Jesus and spend the day with him. One of them, Andrew, then goes to find his brother Simon Peter and brings him to meet Jesus. The next day, Jesus calls Philip who then goes to find Nathanael and bring him to meet Jesus.
In conclusion, the selection of disciples by Jesus occurred in different ways in the four gospels. However, what is common among all accounts is that those called were ordinary people doing ordinary things when they were invited by Christ to follow him. They left their professions and families behind to become his closest companions – learning from him and spreading his message throughout the world.