Luke 5:5 kjv

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.

Luke 5:5 nkjv

But Simon answered and said to Him, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net."

Luke 5:5 niv

Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets."

Luke 5:5 esv

And Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets."

Luke 5:5 nlt

"Master," Simon replied, "we worked hard all last night and didn't catch a thing. But if you say so, I'll let the nets down again."

Luke 5 verses

Luke 5 5 Meaning

Luke 5:5 captures Simon Peter's pivotal response to Jesus' extraordinary command. Despite a night of fruitless toil employing all his professional expertise as a fisherman, Peter chooses to submit his will and actions to the word of Jesus. This verse marks a foundational act of faith and obedience, signifying Peter's willingness to disregard his practical experience and logic in favor of Christ's seemingly counterintuitive instruction. It represents a paradigm shift from reliance on human effort and knowledge to trust in divine authority and power, which paves the way for a miraculous outcome and deepens his call to discipleship.

Luke 5 5 Context

Luke chapter 5 opens with Jesus teaching a crowd from Simon Peter's boat on the Sea of Galilee. Peter and his companions had just finished an unsuccessful night of fishing, their nets empty and their bodies weary from effort. This was a professional undertaking for them, integral to their livelihood and reputation. The scene is set for a direct challenge to their human expertise and the limitations of their natural resources. Simon Peter's response in verse 5 directly addresses Jesus' instruction to "put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch," an instruction that goes against the established fishing practices and their immediate experience. The broader context of the chapter quickly moves from this miraculous catch to the call of Peter, James, and John as disciples, the healing of a leper, and a paralytic, all serving to highlight Jesus' divine authority, power, and the transformative impact He has on individuals and their circumstances.

Luke 5 5 Word analysis

• Σίμων (Simōn) ἀποκριθεὶς (apokritheis) εἶπεν (eipen): "Simon answered and said." Simon's direct, personal address to Jesus underscores the gravity of the situation and the immediate nature of his decision. He is not passively observing; he is engaging with Jesus' instruction.
• Ἐπιστάτα (Epistata): "Master" or "Overseer." This term, unique to Luke among the Gospels (used only by disciples), denotes a respectful recognition of authority and superior knowledge, but not yet the full theological "Lord" (Κύριος - Kyrios) that Peter uses later in Lk 5:8 after witnessing the miracle. It suggests an acknowledgment of Jesus as a significant teacher or leader, but still within a somewhat human, professional framework initially.
• δι᾽ ὅλης (di’ holēs) νυκτὸς (nyktos) κοπιάσαντες (kopiasantes): "We've toiled/labored/worked hard all night." This phrase emphasizes the extensive effort and weariness involved. "Toil" (kopiasantes) often suggests strenuous, exhausting work, even to the point of pain or fatigue, particularly significant for professional fishermen who were intimately familiar with their trade and the conditions of the lake. Fishing during the night was the prime time for catching fish on the Sea of Galilee.
• οὐδὲν (ouden) ἐλάβομεν (elabomen): "and caught nothing." This declares absolute and complete failure despite the immense effort. It highlights the empirical reality and futility of human endeavor without divine intervention. "Nothing" means a total absence of a catch, affirming their expertise yet acknowledging their professional disappointment.
• ἐπὶ δὲ (epi de): "But upon" or "Nevertheless." This acts as a strong contrasting conjunction. It signals a turning point in Peter's attitude—from detailing his arduous, unsuccessful experience to expressing a decision of obedience, even against that experience. It's a surrender of the natural for the supernatural.
• τῷ σῷ (tō sō) ῥήματι (rēmati): "at your word/command." This is the core of Peter's decision. "Rhema" refers to a specific, spoken word, distinct from "logos" (the general Word or divine reason). Here, it emphasizes the potency and living nature of Jesus' direct spoken instruction. Peter's action is not based on general principle, but on a specific, direct command from Jesus, demonstrating explicit trust in Jesus' personal authority and power residing in His verbal decree.
• χαλάσω (chalaso) τὸ δίκτυον (to diktyon): "I will let down the net." This signifies Peter's act of immediate, definite obedience. The future tense ("I will let down") indicates a resolute intention to comply, despite his doubt or weariness. It implies a singular, probably large, net for this type of deep-sea fishing, signifying a full commitment to the unusual request. The implied action is singular, perhaps starting with one net, demonstrating his obedient will, but implying that he would follow through with the full operation.

Luke 5 5 Bonus section

• The "rhema" of Jesus: The use of "rhema" instead of "logos" for Jesus' "word" is significant. While "logos" refers to the general, reasoned word of God (like in Jn 1:1), "rhema" points to a specific, uttered, living, and powerful command or pronouncement. It implies that Peter was responding not to a general principle but to a potent, active instruction from Jesus.
• The transformation of "Epistata" to "Kyrios": Peter's initial address of "Master" (Epistata) for Jesus indicates respect but positions Him as a teacher or expert. Only after the overwhelming miracle (Lk 5:8) does Peter recognize Jesus as "Lord" (Kyrios), signifying a shift to acknowledging His divine authority and sovereignty. This progression reflects Peter's deepening understanding of who Jesus truly is.
• Foreshadowing the new call: This miraculous catch directly sets the stage for Jesus' call to Peter, James, and John to become "fishers of men" (Lk 5:10). The professional expertise and strenuous work of fishing were shown to be insufficient without Christ's direction, thereby illustrating that "fishing for men" would similarly require divine empowerment and not merely human skill or effort.
• The paradox of emptiness and abundance: The complete failure of "caught nothing" directly precedes the overwhelming abundance that caused their nets to break and boats to sink (Lk 5:6-7). This powerful contrast highlights that human emptiness is often the prerequisite for divine fullness.

Luke 5 5 Commentary

Luke 5:5 profoundly illustrates the tension between human experience and divine command, serving as a powerful lesson in obedient faith. Peter, a seasoned professional fisherman, articulated a common-sense reality: "Master, we've toiled all night and caught nothing." His words were an objective report of his futile efforts and weariness. Yet, his response pivoted decisively: "But at your word, I will let down the nets." This transition from the wisdom of professional experience to trusting Christ's spoken word is the essence of the verse. It's a humble submission of human logic and self-reliance to divine authority. This act of obedience, despite unfavorable circumstances and professional skepticism, paved the way for the miraculous catch. It teaches us that God often calls us to operate outside our comfort zones, beyond our empirical knowledge, and in ways that defy human logic. Our greatest breakthroughs frequently occur when we choose to act on God's specific word, even when all indicators point to futility. Peter’s willingness to obey was the bridge to experiencing the impossible.