James and John abandoned not only the boat-representing their livelihood-but also their father and the family business (4:22). In a society where teachers normally stressed no higher responsibility than honor of parents (Jos. Apion 2.206; Keener 1991a:98, 197), including economic responsibility for them, some people would view such behavior as scandalous. Jesus elsewhere affirms the importance of marriage (19:9) and filial (15:4-6) relationships; the kingdom is never an excuse to downplay our crucial responsibilities to our families (see Keener 1991a:98-99, 102). They too warrant our attention and our ministry. At the same time God has called his servants, and that means we are not our own. Those of us who are single dare not choose marriage partners who cannot bear our calling, and we must recognize the demands of God's kingdom-announcing its good news-more highly than the shame it brings on our families or the way they feel about that shame (10:35-37; compare 1:24).