Luke 5:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking.

NIV: When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.

NASB: And when they had done this, they caught a great quantity of fish, and their nets began to tear;

CSB: When they did this, they caught a great number of fish, and their nets began to tear.

NLT: And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear!

KJV: And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.

NKJV: And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking.

Jesus, a teacher (Luke 5:3) and builder (Mark 6:3) whom John the Baptist called the Messiah (John 1:36), has told Peter to take his boat into deeper water and let down his nets. Although Peter and his partners had fished all night and caught nothing, Peter obeys (Acts 5:4–5). The result is beyond what any of them could have imagined. Peter calls James and John to come out and help. Even so, the weight is too great and both boats are in danger of sinking (Luke 5:7).

Skeptics are tempted to debate if this was a true miracle, implying Jesus merely saw where the fish were biting. The reaction of Peter—the experienced fisherman—gives evidence of a genuine display of Jesus' power and authority over nature. Peter drops to his knees and tells Jesus he is too sinful to be in Jesus' presence (Luke 5:8). Jesus accepts Peter's conclusion but takes authority over Peter's identity. He tells him not to fear and invites him into His ministry (Luke 5:10).

The tense of "breaking" more precisely means they are beginning to break: straining on the verge of snapping. It's interesting that when they reach the shore, Jesus calls James and John while they are mending their nets (Mark 1:19).

Luke 5:1–11 records Jesus' first call to specific disciples and the importance of humility for His followers. Andrew and Peter met Jesus before (John 1:35–42) and likely know of Jesus' power and authority (Luke 4:31–44). When Jesus uses that power to directly bless the fishermen, Peter humbly acknowledges his unworthiness. Peter, Andrew, James, and John leave everything to follow Jesus. Luke continues by showing the importance of cleanness, forgiveness in response to faith, and repentance. Matthew 4:18–22 and Mark 1:16–20 also record Jesus' call to the four fishermen but not the fishing; John 21 provides a parallel scene after Jesus' resurrection.

Luke 5 continues Jesus' Galilean Ministry (Luke 4:14—9:50). The passage alternates calls to discipleship with miracles and teachings which demonstrate what discipleship entails. Jesus calls Peter, Andrew, and their business partners, James and John, to follow Him and make more disciples. Then Jesus makes a man with leprosy ceremonially clean. He forgives the sins of a paralytic. After He calls Levi to follow Him, Jesus celebrates instead of fasting. This draws critical questions from the crowd. The religious leaders consider Jesus' actions blasphemous. His message of forgiveness, faith, and repentance cannot be contained by their tradition.

Jesus has already proved He can expel demons, heal ailments, and reveal the kingdom of God (Luke 4:31–44). In this chapter, He begins to separate His followers from His detractors. This begins with calling the first five disciples and emphasizing faith and repentance over religious tradition. He will drive home the point by treating the Sabbath as a blessing rather than a burden (Luke 6:1–11). After formally inviting the Twelve to follow Him, Jesus will explain to a crowd what discipleship looks like and invite them to build their lives on Him (Luke 6:12–49). In chapter 7, Jesus champions Gentiles and the marginalized.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.