Luke 5:1-11

 ¹ So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, ² and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. ³ Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. ⁴ When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” ⁵ But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” ⁶ And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. ⁷ So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. ⁸ When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” ⁹ For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; ¹⁰ and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” ¹¹ So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.

Commentary

Vs. 1-3 ¹ So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, ² and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. ³ Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat.

Jesus then being swamped by people wanting to hear the Word of God from Him, and not from one of their rabbi’s who brought no life through their words, rather the people wanted to hear Jesus whose Person and Presence and specifically His Word alone satisfies every longing and hungry soul that is seeking for God. And so, Jesus positions Himself by the lake of Gennesaret (i.e. the Sea of Galilee), and seeing two boats which were vacant because the fishermen had gone to wash their nets. Jesus goes into one of them which belonged to Simon Peter and He asks him to put Him out a little from the shore. Now Simon could’ve said no, but he said yes, and he pushed Jesus out a little way so that crowds could see and hear Him. Peters journey with and call by Christ then began with his being willing to do such a simple thing. Now when Peter did Jesus sat down and began to teach the people.

Vs. 4-5 ⁴ When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” ⁵ But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless, at Your word I will let down the net.”

Now when Jesus had finished speaking, He had not forgotten about Peter who had lent Him his boat for His service. And so, He now says to Peter “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” Peter though is already discouraged with his fishing and he says to Jesus, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless, at Your word I will let down the net.”
Something to note here Jesus is not calling Peter at the height of his fishing success, but when he is discouraged and disillusioned with his own pursuits. Peter though being a humble man is not put off by Jesus telling Him to try once more, even though he has failed to catch anything thus far. And so, Peter says to the Lord: “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless, at Your word I will let down the net.” Humility then is a key ingredient to being called by Christ into His service.

Vs. 6-11 ⁶ And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. ⁷ So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. ⁸ When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” ⁹ For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; ¹⁰ and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” ¹¹ So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.

Now when Peter and those with him let down their nets they caught a great number of fish, so much so that their nets began to break! (vs. 6) Therefore, Peter signals to his partners James and John and they come over in their boat and both boats were so filled with fish that they began to sink! (vs. 7) This sign that Jesus gives them is so that they’re hearts will be awakened to believe and follow Him. Peter then seeing the great haul of fish is utterly amazed (as is those with him) that such a thing has just occurred for them at the Word of Jesus (vs. 8-9). And yet stepping out in faith at Christ’s command always produces much than we could have ever gathered or produced or even imagined coming through us. And that is the lesson that Jesus has just showed Peter, that when we trust and obey Him, He will bring forth an abundance and so much more through our persons and lives. Peter then being humbled by the great haul of fish that came at Jesus’ Word now falls down at Jesus’ feet and says, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” Similarly, James and John the sons of Zebedee, Peters business partners, likewise are awed and humbled by the Lords ability to produce such an abundance for them all. And with that, with Peter the leader of them, brought to place of surrender, Jesus now says to him, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” ^{vs. 10} And with that very Word spoken to them Peter, James and John forsook all and they follow Him. No more to be mere fishermen, but fishers of men, in Jesus Christs service till the end. 

Scripture Quotations

New King James Version. (1982): Thomas Nelson