Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

Christ preaches in the boat. The disciples leave everything and follow him. He cleanses the leper, heals the paralytic, calls Matthew, the customs officer, and eats with open sinners.

5 It came to pass, as the people pressed in upon him to hear the word of God, that he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret ² and saw two boats standing by the lake side. But the fishermen were gone out of them and were washing their nets. ³ And he entered into one of the boats, which belonged to Simon, and asked him to thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people out of the boat.

⁴ When he had left speaking, he said to Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let slip your nets to make a catch. ⁵ And Simon answered and said to him, Master, we have laboured all night and have caught nothing. But at your word, I will loose forth the net.

⁶ And when they had so done, they netted a great multitude of fishes. And their net was tearing, ⁷ but they made signs to their fellow fishermen who were in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they were sinking back.

⁸ When Simon Peter saw this, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Lord, go from me, for I am a sinful man. ⁹ For he was utterly astonished, as was everyone with him, at the haul of fish that they took; ¹⁰ and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, Fear not; from henceforth you shall catch men.

¹¹ And they brought the boats to land, and left everything, and followed him.