And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter’s reluctant obedience reveals a crucial shift: he addresses Jesus not just as a teacher, but as "Master" (Epistata), a term implying authority and expertise he himself lacks after a fruitless night. This willingness to try one more time, not out of hope, but at Jesus’ word, is the first spark of his remarkable faith.
And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus had just finished teaching a large crowd from Peter's boat and now tells Simon to cast his nets into the deep. Simon, a professional fisherman, replies that they've already toiled all night without success, but he'll try one more time simply because Jesus said so.
Simon and his crew had poured everything into their work, only to come up empty. Ever felt that kind of exhausting frustration?
Luke highlights the depth of their labor with the word 'toiled.' This wasn't just a casual effort; it speaks of deep weariness and exhaustion.
Exhausted Efforts
This sets the stage for Jesus' miraculous intervention. Their failure makes his power even more evident. It's a picture of human effort reaching its limit, making them ripe for divine intervention.
Despite their exhaustion and failure, Peter says, 'But at your word I will let down the nets.' What does this simple phrase reveal about Jesus?
Simon's willingness to obey Jesus, even when it seemed illogical, is profound. It shows a dawning recognition of Jesus' authority and power.
More Than a Teacher
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This moment is a crucial step in Peter's discipleship, moving from recognizing Jesus as a respected teacher to obeying him as one with divine authority.
Understand the original words
epistatēs · Greek Noun
A term signifying one who has authority, a teacher, or a chief; it often denotes respect for a leader or someone with power over a task or domain. In the Gospels, it frequently reflects the disciples' recognition of Jesus' unique authority.
kopiasantes · Greek Verb
To labor strenuously, work hard, or struggle, often implying weariness or exhaustive effort in a task. It highlights the human limitation and the frustration of working without the blessing of God.
This event marks a pivotal moment where Jesus, a relatively new figure to Simon Peter, calls him to discipleship not through familiarity, but through demonstrating divine authority over nature, prompting Peter to leave behind his livelihood.
c. AD 28
Jesus' Public Ministry Begins
Jesus begins his public ministry in Galilee after his baptism, drawing crowds with his teachings and miracles.
c. AD 28— this verse
Jesus Calls First Disciples
Jesus encounters Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John, who are fishermen on the Sea of Galilee. He calls them to follow him.
c. AD 28
Miraculous Catch of Fish
After a night of fruitless fishing, Jesus miraculously fills Peter's nets with fish at his command, leading to an awe-inspiring moment.
c. AD 28
Disciples Forsake All
Astonished by the miracle and Jesus' power, Peter, James, and John leave their fishing trade and follow Jesus wholeheartedly.
This passage describes Andrew, also a fisherman, immediately recognizing Jesus as the Messiah and bringing his brother Peter to Him, highlighting an immediate spiritual discernment and obedience that mirrors Peter's response in Luke 5.
Matthew 14:28Peter's request to Jesus to bid him come on the water shows a similar willingness to step out in faith based on Jesus' word, even when the situation defies natural understanding.
Hebrews 11:6This verse states that without faith it is impossible to please God, directly connecting to Peter's act of obedience in Luke 5:5, which was a profound act of faith rooted in Jesus' word despite his own experience.
Matthew 4:18-20This passage describes Jesus calling Peter and Andrew to be 'fishers of men' for the first time, showing that the miraculous catch in Luke 5 builds upon their initial call and establishes their new identity in Christ.
cambridgeLuke 5:5: "And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net."
5 . let down ] Rather, let ye down . The first command is in the singular, and is addressed to Peter only as “the pilot of the Galilaean Lake.” Master ] The word is not Rabbi as in the other Evangelists,—a word which Gentiles would not have understood but Epistata (in its occasional classic sense of ‘teacher’) which is peculiar to St Luke…
vincentLuke 5:5: "And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net."
Master (ἐπιστάτα)Used by Luke only, and always with reference to Jesus. He never uses Rabbi, as John especially. Wyc., commander.Toiled (κοπιάσαντες)From κόπος, suffering, weariness; and therefore indicating exhausting toil.At thy word (ἐπί)Relying on: on the ground of.The net (δίκτυον)A general term for a net, whether for fish or…
Peter’s reluctant obedience reveals a crucial shift: he addresses Jesus not just as a teacher, but as "Master" (Epistata), a term implying authority and expertise he himself lacks after a fruitless night. This willingness to try one more time, not out of hope, but at Jesus’ word, is the first spark of his remarkable faith.
Jesus had just finished teaching a large crowd from Peter's boat and now tells Simon to cast his nets into the deep. Simon, a professional fisherman, replies that they've already toiled all night without success, but he'll try one more time simply because Jesus said so.
Jesus had just finished teaching a large crowd from Peter's boat and now tells Simon to cast his nets into the deep. Simon, a professional fisherman, replies that they've already toiled all night without success, but he'll try one more time simply because Jesus said so.
"And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.”" — Peter’s reluctant obedience reveals a crucial shift: he addresses Jesus not just as a teacher, but as "Master" (Epistata), a term implying authority and expertise he himself lacks after a fruitless n…
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Last reviewed October 2026