Luke 5:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”

NIV: When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, 'Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.'

NASB: Now when He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, 'Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.'

CSB: When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch."

NLT: When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, 'Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.'

KJV: Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.

NKJV: When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”

On the shore of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus is trying to teach, but the crowd swarming around Him makes it hard for many to hear. He comes upon Peter's fishing boat and climbs inside. Peter obliges by rowing a bit from the shore so Jesus can teach (Luke 5:1–3).

Peter and Andrew had fished all night and hadn't caught a thing. Jesus tells them to try again. Jesus isn't a fisherman; He's referred to using the Greek word tektōn, which generically means "a builder" (Mark 6:3). Peter and Andrew follow Jesus' instructions, anyway. John the Baptist has told them He is the Messiah (John 1:35–42), but they're still surprised when the net catches so many fish it nearly sinks two boats (Luke 5:5–7).

Although Luke doesn't mention Andrew, he is there (Mark 1:16). The Greek for "put out" is singular; apparently Peter is steering. But the Greek for "let down" is plural and includes at least one companion.

Jesus uses the full nets as a metaphor for their new life purpose of spreading His message about the kingdom of God. It's telling that even though Peter and Andrew know everything there is to know about fishing, they are only successful when they rely on Jesus' guidance. They—and we—will find that true when spreading the gospel, as well.

The King James Version says, "Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught." "Draught," pronounced the same as the English word "draft," is a Middle English term for "pull." This is why "draft horses" pull loaded wagons. Newer translations use "catch."

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.