Luke 5:6-10

Luke 5:6 (KJB)
And when they had this done, they enclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.

Once they had arrived at the place where Jesus told them to let the nets down, they had scored a tremendous amount of fish. In fact the draught was so big it actually broke their nets and those fishermen nets were not thin little strands but they were rope capable of holding much fish. The miraculous result came from the fact that Jesus commanded them where to fish and their faith in Him caused them to obey and that resulted in a major catch. This is also a great lesson for the Christian. When we seek to evangelize with the Gospel, we must preach the Gospel which is in the Bible and not try to tailor it for any specific groups. This is the big mistake many churches make, thinking they know better than God how to reach a soul.

Luke 5:7 (KJB)
And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.

This was probably the biggest catch of fish which was ever caught. It was so big that they had to call over the other ship to help them manage the catch. The weight of it was so much that Peter’s boat began to sink and when the other ship came over to help, then they too had started to sink. They never had a catch like this before or else they would have built their boats to withstand the tremendous catch of fish. Jesus performed the miracle of drawing the fish but He also used Peter and his friends to haul them in.

Luke 5:8 (KJB)
When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.

For a while, Peter was very busy trying to manage the load of fish and when he finally had a little respite, he then realized what had happened. He knew that Jesus had performed many miracles right in the area where they were but here Peter is experiencing a great miracle over what would have been Peter’s forte, which was knowledge of fishing. Peter then reacts in a strange yet respectful way. He realizes that he had told Jesus that they toiled all night and here Jesus shows him what faith in the Master’s commands can yield. Peter then falls to his knees in front of Jesus and commands Jesus to depart from him. Now He did not do this because he wanted Jesus to depart from him, he was simply overwhelmed at his own unworthiness in the presence of Jesus. Peter now calls Jesus “Lord” instead of Master which means Peter was now recognizing His deity. Isaiah had experienced the same situation when he was in the presence of God. (Isa 6:5 KJV) Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. He too saw his unworthiness because he knew he was a man of unclean lips.

Luke 5:9 (KJB)
For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:

Peter was actually astonished or amazed at the size of the catch of the fish. Those who were with him were also astonished at the size of the catch. I am sure that this haul was the talk of the fishermen of Galilee for a long time. He was now realizing that Jesus performed a great miracle and even though he knew this, it still caused him to be amazed.

Luke 5:10 (KJB)
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.

Jesus now tells Simon that from this point on, he is going to catch men. This is what the miracle of the draught of fish was all about. It was to show Peter that thousands in his time will come to the true Gospel of Christ. On Pentecost alone, there were three thousand souls saved. A great draught indeed! James and John were also astonished at the size of the catch. These were the sons of Zebedee which became known as the sons of thunder. (Mark 3:17 KJV) And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder: James would be the first martyr among the disciples. (Acts 12:1-2 KJV) Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. {2} And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. The name “James” is the Greek form of the Hebrew name “Jacob” which means “supplanter.” The name “John” means “the Lord has been gracious.”

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