Luke 5:1-11

The Call of the First Disciples (cf. Mark 1:16 *, Matthew 4:18 *). The eager crowds that attend Jesus show His need of assistants. The simpler story of Mk. and Mt. is here replaced by one which introduces a miraculous catch of fish. The similarity with John 21 leads us to think that Lk. (who has no Galilean appearances of the Risen Jesus) may have used that incident here. Nor is it difficult to discern symbolism in the story; the deep water is the Gentile world, but Peter, though the preaching of the Gospel to the Jews had been a failure, is reluctant to enter on a wider mission (cf. Acts 11:1). The concentration of the narrative on Peter (James and John are only just mentioned, Andrew not at all), may be due to the growing interest in Peter at the time when Lk. wrote. The tradition about his call would tend to become longer and fuller.

Luke 5:1. lake of Gennesaret: Lk. gives the sea of Galilee its correct name.

Luke 5:4. put out: singular, addressed to Peter. let down: plural, to all in the boat.

Luke 5:5. Master: Lk. uses this Gr. term in reference to Jesus six times in place of the Jewish Rabbi.

Luke 5:6. If we press the symbolic interpretation this may refer to the threatened rupture between the narrower and wider sections of the Church (cf. Acts 15).

Luke 5:8. The name Peter is introduced at this critical point in the apostle's experience. His exclamation of dread at the near presence of Divine power recalls Judges 6:22; Isaiah 6:5; cf. 1 Kings 17:18. Note the use of Lord, recalling OT Yahweh. Lk. is careful to record the words as setting in sharp contrast the sin of the disciple and the holiness of the Saviour (cf. Luke 5:32).