Luke 5:9-10
For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, 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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The Greek word used here for "astonished" describes a feeling of awe that could easily lead to fear, as seen in Peter's reaction. This wasn't just surprise at a big catch, but a profound, almost overwhelming recognition of divine power at work, shaking them to their core.
Jesus had just finished teaching a crowd from Peter's boat and then miraculously instructed Peter and his companions to cast their nets, resulting in an overwhelming catch of fish. Overcome by this divine display, Peter confessed his sinfulness and begged Jesus to leave him. This verse captures the profound amazement of Peter and the others at the sheer scale of the miraculous fish haul, which directly preceded Jesus calling them to follow Him and become "fishers of men."
Have you ever witnessed something so extraordinary it left you speechless? Peter and his companions experienced this profound awe.
The verse highlights a powerful emotional response: astonishment. The original Greek suggests a deep sense of awe, an overwhelming amazement that 'seized' them. This wasn't just surprise; it was a reaction to seeing God's power actively at work in a way that surpassed all their understanding and experience.
The Unexpected Haul
Peter and his fellow fishermen were seasoned professionals. They had toiled all night, the prime time for catching fish, and came up empty. Then, with just a word from Jesus, their nets were filled to the point of breaking, and two boats were overloaded. This miraculous catch was far beyond normal.
Recognizing Divine Intervention
Their astonishment wasn't just at the quantity of fish, but at the source of such an impossible bounty. It forced them to confront the reality that God was present and acting through Jesus in a spectacular way.
Peter was a professional fisherman. Yet, Jesus' instruction, not his expertise, brought about the impossible.
This moment underscores a crucial principle: God's power often operates independently of, and even in contrast to, our own best efforts.
The Limits of Human Toil
Peter’s honest reply in Luke 5:5 reveals the exhaustion and disappointment of a night's fruitless labor. He knew the waters, the nets, and the conditions. By all human metrics, their fishing had failed.
Obedience to the Divine Command
Despite their failure and Peter's weariness, Jesus commanded them to cast their nets again. It was an act of obedience, not necessarily of faith in catching fish, but faith in Jesus' word. The overwhelming result demonstrated that the success wasn't due to their skill, but to God's power unleashed by their obedience.
Understand the original words
thambos · Greek Noun
An overwhelming reaction to a manifestation of divine power, glory, or truth that leaves a person speechless or profoundly humbled in the presence of God.
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.
c. 27 AD
Jesus Begins Public Ministry
Jesus starts teaching and healing throughout Galilee, drawing large crowds and gaining a reputation across the region.
c. 27 AD— this verse
Jesus Calls Disciples
Jesus encounters Peter, Andrew, James, and John, who are experienced fishermen. He calls them to follow Him and become 'fishers of men'.
c. 27 AD
The Miraculous Catch
After a night of fruitless fishing, Jesus directs Peter to cast his nets, resulting in an overwhelming catch of fish that astonishes everyone.
c. 27 AD
Disciples Forfeit All
Astonished by the miracle and Jesus's power, the fishermen leave their boats, nets, and livelihood behind to follow Jesus.
This passage parallels the calling of Peter, Andrew, James, and John, highlighting their immediate willingness to leave their fishing livelihood for Jesus, demonstrating a similar astonishment and call to a new purpose.
John 21:1-11This later encounter shows Jesus performing another miraculous catch of fish for the disciples after the resurrection, again evoking astonishment and emphasizing Jesus's divine power and provision.
1 Samuel 12:24This verse speaks of Samuel's exhortation to the Israelites to serve the Lord faithfully, underscoring the importance of remembering God's great deeds and responding with awe and obedience, much like Peter's reaction.
Job 42:1-6After God speaks to Job out of the whirlwind, Job is overcome with humility and repentance, declaring 'I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you.' This mirrors the awe and self-awareness Peter experiences.
vincentLuke 5:9: "For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:"
He was astonished (θάμβος περιέσχεν αὐτὸν)Lit., amazement encompassed him. See on 1 Peter 2:6.The draught (τῇ ἄγρα)The word is used both of the act of catching and of that which is caught. In Luke 5:4 it has the former sense: "let down your net for catching:" here, the latter, the catch or haul.
pooleLuke 5:9: "For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:"
See Poole on "Luke 5:3"
The Greek word used here for "astonished" describes a feeling of awe that could easily lead to fear, as seen in Peter's reaction. This wasn't just surprise at a big catch, but a profound, almost overwhelming recognition of divine power at work, shaking them to their core.
Jesus had just finished teaching a crowd from Peter's boat and then miraculously instructed Peter and his companions to cast their nets, resulting in an overwhelming catch of fish. Overcome by this divine display, Peter confessed his sinfulness and begged Jesus to leave him. This verse captures the profound amazement of Peter and the others at the sheer scale of the miraculous fish haul, which directly preceded Jesus calling them to follow Him and become "fishers of men."
Jesus had just finished teaching a crowd from Peter's boat and then miraculously instructed Peter and his companions to cast their nets, resulting in an overwhelming catch of fish. Overcome by this divine display, Peter confessed his sinfulness and begged Jesus to leave him. This verse captures the profound amazement of Peter and the others at the sheer scale of the miraculous fish haul, which directly preceded Jesus calling them to follow Him and become "fishers of men."
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Encountering divine power often leads to a stark realization of our own inadequacy.
The astonishment Peter and the others felt wasn't just wonder; it was accompanied by a profound sense of their own sinfulness.
Confronted by Holiness
Peter's immediate reaction after the miraculous catch (Luke 5:8) was to fall at Jesus' knees and cry, 'Depart from me, for I am a sinful man!' This wasn't a rejection of Jesus, but an overwhelming awareness of the vast gulf between Jesus' absolute holiness and his own sinfulness.
The Response to Encountering God
When we truly encounter God's power and presence, it has a way of stripping away our self-sufficiency. Like Isaiah in the temple (Isaiah 6:5), the holiness of God reveals our own impurity. This realization is not meant to drive us away from God, but to drive us to Him, recognizing our desperate need for His mercy.
"For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, 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…" — The Greek word used here for "astonished" describes a feeling of awe that could easily lead to fear, as seen in Peter's reaction. This wasn't just surprise at a big catch, but a profound, almost over…
