What does the Bible say about Zebedee's inability to follow Jesus?
Answered in 1 source
Zebedee did not follow Jesus because he did not possess a saving interest in Christ, which shows the doctrine of election and calling.
The case of Zebedee raises profound questions about why some individuals respond to Christ’s call while others, despite being in close proximity to Him, do not. The scripture presents Zebedee as a man who heard the call of Jesus, just as his sons did, but chose to remain in his work as a fisherman. This illustrates the critical doctrine of election; Zebedee was not chosen or called by God like Peter, Andrew, James, and John were. In John 6:44, Jesus states, 'No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him.' This highlights that without the divine initiative in a person's life, there is no genuine inclination to follow Christ. Thus, Zebedee's staying behind reflects the sad state of man in his sinful nature, unable to come to Christ without that specific calling from God.
Commentary