And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus doesn't just tell Simon to go deeper into the water, but to literally "let down" or "loosen" his nets, implying a relaxed, unhurried action. This seemingly small detail highlights that obedience to Jesus isn't always about frantic effort, but sometimes about a trustful yielding, even when the circumstances (like an empty night) suggest otherwise.
And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus had just finished teaching a large crowd from Simon Peter's boat, and now, as the crowd disperses, he turns to Peter. Despite the disciples having fished all night without success, Jesus instructs Peter to go back out into the deep water and cast their nets again, implying a miraculous catch is about to happen. This sets the stage for Peter's astonishment and Jesus' subsequent call for him to become a "fisher of men."
Jesus didn't just randomly tell them to fish. His words came at a specific moment, after a specific act.
Notice that Jesus speaks immediately after finishing his sermon. He doesn't wait for the crowd to disperse or for Simon to approach him. This highlights the seamless connection between Jesus' teaching and his action, and the authoritative nature of his command. He's not just a teacher; he's the Lord of creation, and his words carry the weight of divine intention. When Jesus gives a command, especially one that seems counter-intuitive, it's often a call to trust his timing and his perspective, which go far beyond our immediate understanding.
Going 'out into the deep' wasn't just a change of location; it was a test of obedience.
Jesus tells Simon, 'Put out into the deep and let down your nets.' The disciples had fished all night and caught nothing. Going 'into the deep' meant moving away from the shore, into potentially more challenging waters, and then lowering their nets again. This wasn't just about finding fish; it was about testing Simon's willingness to obey Jesus' word, even when it defied his own experience and common sense. True obedience isn't just doing what's easy or what makes sense to us; it's trusting and acting on God's instruction, even when it requires stepping out of our comfort zone and into the 'deep.' The result? An overwhelming blessing that exceeded their wildest expectations.
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This event isn't just about a successful fishing trip; it's the moment Jesus directly calls Peter and his partners to leave their livelihood and follow him, transforming them from fishermen to 'fishers of men'.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus' Public Ministry Begins
Jesus begins his public ministry in Galilee, teaching, preaching, and performing miracles, drawing large crowds from surrounding regions.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus Calls First Disciples
Jesus encounters fishermen like Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John. He calls them to follow him, initially as disciples who learn from him.
Early 1st century AD— this verse
Jesus Teaches from a Boat
Jesus stands by the Sea of Galilee and enters Simon Peter's boat to teach the large crowds gathered on the shore.
Early 1st century AD
The Miraculous Catch of Fish
After Jesus' teaching, he instructs Peter to cast his nets into the deep, resulting in an overwhelming catch of fish that fills two boats.
Early 1st century AD
Disciples Leave All to Follow Jesus
Astonished by the miracle and Jesus' power, Peter and his companions immediately leave their fishing livelihood to follow Jesus, becoming his dedicated disciples.
This passage mirrors Luke's account, showing Jesus appearing to disciples after His resurrection and instructing them to cast their nets on the other side of the boat, resulting in an incredibly large catch.
Matthew 4:18-20This passage describes Jesus calling Peter and Andrew, who were fishermen, to follow Him, with Jesus declaring He will make them 'fishers of men,' a direct parallel to the spiritual calling that follows this miraculous catch.
Psalm 127:1The verse states, 'Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain,' which powerfully resonates with Peter's initial weariness from fishing all night without success, only to be fruitful when acting on Jesus' word.
Jeremiah 29:11This verse assures God's people that He has plans for them, 'plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope,' underscoring Jesus' intention to bless and guide His followers toward a greater purpose beyond their immediate circumstances.
cambridgeLuke 5:4: "Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught."
4 . when he had left speaking ] The aorist implies that no sooner was His sermon ended than He at once thought, not of His own fatigue, but of His poor disappointed followers.
vincentLuke 5:4: "Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught."
Launch outRev., put out. The singular number, addressed to Peter as master of the craft.Let down (χαλάσατε)The plural, addressed to the whole of the boat's crew. Originally, to slacken or loosen, as a bowstring or the reins of horses; hence to let sink as a net. Also of unbarring a door. Metaphorically, to be indulgent, to pardon. The word occurs in the New Testament s…
Jesus doesn't just tell Simon to go deeper into the water, but to literally "let down" or "loosen" his nets, implying a relaxed, unhurried action. This seemingly small detail highlights that obedience to Jesus isn't always about frantic effort, but sometimes about a trustful yielding, even when the circumstances (like an empty night) suggest otherwise.
Jesus had just finished teaching a large crowd from Simon Peter's boat, and now, as the crowd disperses, he turns to Peter. Despite the disciples having fished all night without success, Jesus instructs Peter to go back out into the deep water and cast their nets again, implying a miraculous catch is about to happen. This sets the stage for Peter's astonishment and Jesus' subsequent call for him to become a "fisher of men."
Jesus had just finished teaching a large crowd from Simon Peter's boat, and now, as the crowd disperses, he turns to Peter. Despite the disciples having fished all night without success, Jesus instructs Peter to go back out into the deep water and cast their nets again, implying a miraculous catch is about to happen. This sets the stage for Peter's astonishment and Jesus' subsequent call for him to become a "fisher of men."
"And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”" — Jesus doesn't just tell Simon to go deeper into the water, but to literally "let down" or "loosen" his nets, implying a relaxed, unhurried action. This seemingly small detail highlights that obedienc…
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Last reviewed October 2026