Luke 5:10
and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jesus directly tells Simon, "Do not be afraid," but what's easily missed is the promise that follows—he will be "catching men alive." This specific wording contrasts with the deathly fate of fish caught for food, highlighting that these new disciples will be called to bring life and salvation, not destruction.
After a miraculous catch of fish overwhelmed Simon, James, and John, Peter falls before Jesus, overwhelmed by his own sinfulness. Jesus then reassures Peter and his partners, declaring that they will no longer catch fish but will instead become "fishers of men," a profound call to a new, life-giving mission.
Simon, James, and John were already business partners. Jesus calls them into a new kind of partnership, one that redefines their entire lives.
Jesus doesn't just recruit individuals; He often calls people who are already connected. Simon, James, and John were established business partners in the fishing trade.
Peter's first reaction to Jesus' power wasn't excitement, but fear. Jesus immediately addresses this fear with a radical reorientation.
When Jesus performs the miraculous catch of fish, Peter's response is, 'Depart from me, for I am a sinful man.' This isn't just a general fear; it's a profound awareness of his own sinfulness in the presence of divine holiness.
Jesus' response, 'Do not be afraid,' is crucial. He isn't dismissing Peter's awareness of sin but is redirecting his fear.
Understand the original words
phobeomai · Greek Verb
A command to cease feeling anxiety or terror, often spoken by God or His messengers when humanity encounters the holy or supernatural; it is an assurance of divine peace and purpose.
zōgreō · Greek Verb
A metaphorical description of the evangelistic mission, moving from secular labor to the spiritual harvest of souls, signifying the transition from physical sustenance to kingdom work.
This event marks a pivotal moment where ordinary fishermen, skilled in their trade, are called to an extraordinary mission. The metaphor of 'catching men' (or 'catching people alive') signifies a transition from a life of physical sustenance to one of spiritual rescue and discipleship, highlighting the transformative power of following Jesus.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus begins his public ministry
Jesus starts teaching and performing miracles throughout Galilee after his baptism and temptation.
Early 1st century AD— this verse
Jesus calls fishermen to be disciples
Jesus encounters Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John, who are experienced fishermen, and calls them to follow him.
Early 1st century AD
Miraculous catch of fish
Following Jesus' instruction, Peter and his partners experience an unprecedented catch of fish, which leads to awe and a deeper understanding of Jesus' power.
Early 1st century AD
Disciples forsake their nets
The called fishermen, including James and John, leave their livelihoods and families to follow Jesus immediately after their encounter.
This passage recounts the calling of Peter, Andrew, James, and John, directly paralleling Luke's account and emphasizing Jesus' invitation to become 'fishers of men'.
Mark 1:16-20Similar to Matthew, Mark also details Jesus calling the fishermen, highlighting their immediate response and Jesus' promise to make them 'fishers of men'.
Jeremiah 16:16This Old Testament prophecy speaks of God sending for 'fishermen' who will catch men, serving as a foreshadowing of Jesus' mission and the disciples' future ministry.
2 Timothy 2:26This verse uses a similar concept of being rescued from the enemy's snare, providing a New Testament parallel to the idea of 'catching' people, but here in the context of escaping spiritual bondage.
John 21:1-14This post-resurrection appearance of Jesus to his disciples at the Sea of Galilee includes another miraculous catch of fish and a significant conversation with Peter, reinforcing the theme of their calling and Jesus' affirmation.
cambridgeLuke 5:10: "And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men."
10 . partners ] Here koinonoi , ‘associates’ in profits, &c. Fear not ] Accordingly, on another occasion, when Peter sees Jesus walking on the sea, so far from crying Depart from me , he cries “Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come to Thee on the water” ( Matthew 14:28 ); and when he saw the Risen Lord standing in the misty morn…
vincentLuke 5:10: "And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men."
Partners (κοινωνοὶ)In Luke 5:7 the word rendered partners is μέτοχοι; from μετά, with, and ἔχω, to have. The word here denotes a closer association, a common interest. The kindred noun, κοινωνία, fellowship, is used of the fellowship of believers with Christ (1 Corinthians 1:9); the communion of the body and blood of…
Jesus directly tells Simon, "Do not be afraid," but what's easily missed is the promise that follows—he will be "catching men alive." This specific wording contrasts with the deathly fate of fish caught for food, highlighting that these new disciples will be called to bring life and salvation, not destruction.
After a miraculous catch of fish overwhelmed Simon, James, and John, Peter falls before Jesus, overwhelmed by his own sinfulness. Jesus then reassures Peter and his partners, declaring that they will no longer catch fish but will instead become "fishers of men," a profound call to a new, life-giving mission.
After a miraculous catch of fish overwhelmed Simon, James, and John, Peter falls before Jesus, overwhelmed by his own sinfulness. Jesus then reassures Peter and his partners, declaring that they will no longer catch fish but will instead become "fishers of men," a profound call to a new, life-giving mission.
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The metaphor 'catching men' sounds strange at first. What does it truly mean, and how does it contrast with the literal fishing they knew?
Jesus uses the disciples' current occupation to describe their future mission, but with a vital shift in purpose.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' ministry and teaching
Jesus travels throughout Judea and Galilee, teaching about the Kingdom of God, healing the sick, and gathering a following.
c. AD 33
Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection
The culmination of Jesus' earthly ministry, leading to his death and subsequent resurrection, a foundational event for his followers.
c. AD 33
The Great Commission
After his resurrection, Jesus instructs his disciples to go and make disciples of all nations, transforming their former fishing roles into a mission to 'catch people'.
"and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.”" — Jesus directly tells Simon, "Do not be afraid," but what's easily missed is the promise that follows—he will be "catching men alive." This specific wording contrasts with the deathly fate of fish cau…
