Jesus Calling the Apostles Question

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WaltLove

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Brothers and Sisters,

Could one of you help me understand the discrepencies between John’s account of the first apostles recriutment (John 1:35-51). As opposed to the Synoptic accounts? (Mark 1:16-20, Luke 5 1:11, Matthew 4 18:22)

This is something i am struggling with. Thanks for all of your help!
 
It would truly help if you would point out the specific discrepencies that you are talking about, it would make it much easier for others to go straight to the source that disturbs you. Thank you!
 
Let me try to answer some that you may be talking about…

If you are talking about John 1:42, here is a great explanation from St. Thomas Aquinas.
The second question is whether this name was given to Peter at this time, or at the time mentioned by Matthew (16:18). Augustine answers that this name was given to Simon at this time; and at the event reported by Matthew the Lord is not giving this name but reminding him of the name that was given, so that Christ is using this name as already given. But others think that this name was given when the Lord said, “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church” (Mt 16:18); and in this passage in the Gospel of John, Christ is not giving this name, but foretelling what will be given later.
308 The third question is about the calling of Peter and Andrew: for here it says that they were called near the Jordan, because they were John’s disciples; but in Matthew (4:18) it says that Christ called them by the Sea of Galilee. The answer to this is that there was a triple calling of the apostles. The first was a call to knowledge or friendship and faith; and this is the one recorded here. The second consisted in the prediction of their office: “From now on you will be catching men” (Lk 5:10). The third call was to their apostleship, which is mentioned by Matthew (4:18). This was the perfect call because after this they were not to return to their own pursuits.
 
Brothers and Sisters,

Could one of you help me understand the discrepencies between John’s account of the first apostles recriutment (John 1:35-51). As opposed to the Synoptic accounts? (Mark 1:16-20, Luke 5 1:11, Matthew 4 18:22)

This is something i am struggling with. Thanks for all of your help!
Specifically what discrepencies do you see?
 
There are two discrepencies I see:

The first is that of scenery. John says they are with John the Baptist while they are being baptized. The Synoptics say they were fishing in their boats.

The second is of who was actually there. John again says they were disciples of John the Baptists and were with him. The Synoptics say there were two sets of brothers and they were fishing with Zebedee.

I am just asking for clarification. Not a challenge. Thanks as always!
 
Before I say anything, here is a link to the very portion that St. Augustine wrote on this, it is called “The Hramony of the Gospels.” newadvent.org/fathers/1602217.htm This should give you the answers that you are looking for, you don’t get much more meticulous than Augustine. This link will take you to The Harmony of the Gospels, Book II
Chapter 17. Of the Calling of the Apostles as They Were Fishing.


One of the answers are found in my last post, it is concerning the question that you said,
The first is that of scenery. John says they are with John the Baptist while they are being baptized. The Synoptics say they were fishing in their boats.
This was Andrew and Peter. St. Thomas explains that there is a triple calling. Pay very close attention to what Thomas says here…
The third question is about the calling of Peter and Andrew: for here it says that they were called near the Jordan, because they were John’s disciples; but in Matthew (4:18) it says that Christ called them by the Sea of Galilee. The answer to this is that there was a triple calling of the apostles. The first was a call to knowledge or friendship and faith; and this is the one recorded here. The second consisted in the prediction of their office: “From now on you will be catching men” (Lk 5:10). The third call was to their apostleship, which is mentioned by Matthew (4:18). This was the perfect call because after this they were not to return to their own pursuits.
St. Augustine, whom St. Thomas consulted, said this concerning the events,
It might move inquiry, why John relates that near Jordan, not in Galilee, Andrew followed the Lord with another whose naming he does not mention; and again, that Peter received that name from the Lord. Whereas the other three Evangelists write that they were called from their fishing, sufficiently agreeing with one another, especially Matthew and Mark; Luke not naming Andrew, who is however understood to have been in the same vessel with him. There is a further seeming discrepancy, that in Luke it is to Peter only that it is said, Henceforth you shall catch men; Matthew and Mark write that it was said to both. As to the different account in John, it should be carefully considered, and it will be found that it is a different time, place, and calling that is there spoken of. For Peter and Andrew had not so seen Jesus at the Jordan that they adhered inseparably ever after, but so as only to have known who he was, and wondering at Him to have gone their way. Perhaps he is returning back to something he had omitted, for he proceeds without marking any difference of time, As he walked by the sea of Galilee. It may be further asked, how Matthew and Mark relate that He called them separately two and two, when Luke relates that James and John being partners of Peter were called as it were to aid him, and bringing their barks to land followed Christ. We may then understand that the narrative of Luke relates to a prior time, after which they returned to their fishing as usual. For it had not been said to Peter that he should no more catch fishes, as he did do so again after the resurrection, but that he should catch men. Again, at a time after this happened that call of which Matthew and Mark speak; for they draw their ships to land to follow Him, not as careful to return again, but only anxious to follow Him when He bids them.
After you look into this, let me know if you are satisfied with what you find here, maybe I can dig deeper.
 
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