Luke 5:4

KJV

Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.

KJV (with Strong's)

Now {G1161} when {G5613} he had left {G3973} speaking {G2980}, he said {G2036} unto {G4314} Simon {G4613}, Launch out {G1877} into {G1519} the deep {G899}, and {G2532} let down {G5465} your {G5216} nets {G1350} for {G1519} a draught {G61}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When he had finished speaking, he said to Shim`on, "Put out into deep water, and let down your nets for a catch."

Berean Standard Bible

When Jesus had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.”

American Standard Version

And when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Put out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 5:4 presents a pivotal moment in Jesus' early ministry where, after teaching a large crowd from Simon Peter's boat, He instructs the weary and unsuccessful fishermen to "launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a draught." This command, given after a night of fruitless toil, sets the stage for a miraculous catch of fish, serving as a powerful demonstration of Christ's authority over creation and a prelude to the call of His first disciples.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Jesus' teaching from Simon Peter's boat on the [Lake of Gennesaret](/luke/5-1 "Luke 5:1 - Jesus Teaches from the Boat"). The crowds were pressing in, eager to hear the word of God. Jesus, seeing the fishermen washing their nets after a barren night, strategically uses Peter's boat as a pulpit. The command in [Luke 5:4](/luke/5-4 "Luke 5:4 - Jesus' Command to Peter") is not an arbitrary instruction but flows directly from this teaching context, demonstrating that Jesus' words are not merely theoretical but carry divine power and practical implications. The subsequent miraculous catch (Luke 5:5-7) and the call of Peter, James, and John (Luke 5:8-11) are direct consequences of Simon's obedience to this command, establishing a clear cause-and-effect narrative that highlights the transformative power of encountering Christ.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Fishing was a primary industry on the Sea of Galilee, a freshwater lake known for its abundant fish. Fishermen like Simon Peter, James, and John were experienced professionals, intimately familiar with the lake's patterns, fish behavior, and optimal fishing times. Typically, fishing was done at night, when fish were closer to the surface and less visible, using large nets. By day, especially after a full night of work, it was highly unusual and inefficient to "launch out into the deep" for a catch. The fishermen's weariness and the act of cleaning their nets signify the end of a long, unsuccessful night. Jesus' instruction therefore directly contradicts their professional expertise and the prevailing cultural practices of fishing, underscoring the extraordinary nature of His command.

* **Key Themes:** [Luke chapter 5](/luke/5 "Luke 5 - Jesus Calls Disciples and Heals") introduces several foundational themes that resonate throughout Luke's Gospel. The theme of **Divine Authority and Power** is paramount, as Jesus demonstrates His dominion over nature and His ability to provide supernaturally, contrasting human limitation with divine omnipotence, as seen in the [miraculous catch](/luke/5-6 "Luke 5:6 - The Miraculous Catch"). Closely related is the theme of **Obedience and Faith**, exemplified by Simon's willingness to obey Jesus despite his professional skepticism ("Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net" - [Luke 5:5](/luke/5-5 "Luke 5:5 - Peter's Obedience")). This obedience leads to **Abundant Provision** and a radical reorientation of life, foreshadowing the call to **Discipleship and Mission**. The transformation of fishermen into "fishers of men" ([Luke 5:10](/luke/5-10 "Luke 5:10 - Fishers of Men")) is the ultimate thematic culmination of this encounter, illustrating how an encounter with Jesus leads to a new purpose and calling.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Launch out (Greek, _epanágō_):** This verb, G1877, means "to lead up on" or "to put out (to sea)." In a technical sense, it refers to pushing off from the shore into deeper water. It conveys a sense of deliberate action, a departure from the familiar and shallow, towards the open and unknown. For Simon, it was a command to return to the very activity that had just proven fruitless, but this time, under the explicit direction of Jesus.
* **deep (Greek, _báthos_):** G899, derived from a word meaning "profundity," refers to the physical depth of the water. It implies moving away from the shallows near the shore into the deeper parts of the lake. Metaphorically, it can suggest a call to move beyond superficial efforts or comfortable routines into areas that require greater trust, effort, or a deeper reliance on divine instruction.
* **draught (Greek, _ágra_):** G61, means "a catching (of fish)" or "a haul (of fish)." It denotes the intended outcome of the fishing activity—a successful catch. The command is not merely to cast nets, but to do so with the specific expectation of a significant haul, implying Jesus' foreknowledge and power to provide.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now when he had left speaking":** This phrase indicates the immediate transition from Jesus' teaching to His practical instruction. Having concluded His sermon to the crowd, Jesus now turns His attention specifically to Simon Peter, signifying that the following command is a direct, personal directive.
* **"he said unto Simon":** Jesus addresses Simon directly, singling him out. This highlights the personal nature of the call and the specific relationship Jesus is building with Peter, who will become a foundational leader among the apostles. It underscores the authority with which Jesus speaks.
* **"Launch out into the deep":** This is the first imperative command. It instructs Simon to move his boat away from the shore, where he had been cleaning his nets, into the deeper waters of the lake. This was counter-intuitive for a seasoned fisherman after a night of no success, as fish were typically caught in shallower waters at night. The command challenges Simon's professional knowledge and comfort zone.
* **"and let down your nets for a draught":** This is the second imperative, specifying the action to be taken in the deep waters. Simon is to lower his fishing nets, not merely as an exercise, but "for a draught," meaning for a specific, intended catch. This implies a promise of success, despite the unpromising circumstances and the previous night's failure, demanding an act of faith in Jesus' word.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 5:4 employs several significant literary devices. **Imperative Mood** is central, as Jesus issues direct commands ("Launch out," "let down"), emphasizing His authority and the necessity of obedience. There is a strong element of **Irony** in Jesus, a carpenter by trade, instructing a seasoned fisherman on how to fish, particularly after a night of no success. This highlights the divine wisdom overriding human expertise. The phrase "launch out into the deep" serves as powerful **Symbolism**. While literally referring to the physical depth of the lake, it also symbolizes venturing beyond one's comfort zone, past failures, and into areas of greater faith and dependence on God. This act of physical obedience **Foreshadows** the spiritual "deep" to which Peter and the other disciples would be called—to venture into the world to "fish for men," a mission that would require deep faith, perseverance, and reliance on divine power rather than human skill.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 5:4 is rich with theological significance, demonstrating Jesus' sovereign authority not only over the natural world but also over human endeavors and expectations. It illustrates the principle that divine instruction, even when counter-intuitive or seemingly illogical from a human perspective, always leads to supernatural results when met with obedient faith. This passage powerfully foreshadows the abundant provision and transformative power available to those who trust in Christ's word above their own experience or limitations. It is a foundational narrative for understanding the nature of discipleship as a call to radical obedience and a willingness to step into the unknown at Jesus' command, confident in His ability to provide.

* [John 2:5](/john/2-5 "John 2:5 - Mary's Instruction at Cana") – "His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it."
* [Matthew 14:28-29](/matthew/14-28-29 "Matthew 14:28-29 - Peter Walks on Water") – "And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come."
* [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Accomplishes Its Purpose") – "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 5:4 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers, challenging us to examine the areas in our lives where we might be relying on our own strength, past experiences, or perceived limitations rather than on the boundless power and wisdom of Christ. Just as Simon Peter had to set aside his professional expertise and weariness, we are called to trust Jesus' word even when it defies our logic or comfort. This verse encourages us to "launch out into the deep" in our faith, careers, relationships, and ministries—to venture beyond the familiar and safe into new territories where God is calling us, even if it feels risky or uncertain. It reminds us that true breakthroughs and abundant blessings often come not from intensified human effort alone, but from obedient surrender to divine instruction, allowing God to work supernaturally through our willingness to follow.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "deep" is Jesus calling me to launch into in my life right now, where my own experience or logic might tell me otherwise?**
* **In what areas of my life have I been toiling fruitlessly, and am I willing to "let down my nets" again at Jesus' command, despite past failures?**
* **How does my willingness to obey Jesus' counter-intuitive instructions demonstrate my faith and trust in His divine authority and provision?**
* **What might God be preparing me for by asking me to step out of my comfort zone and into His seemingly illogical commands?**

### FAQ

**Why did Jesus tell Simon to go into the deep after a night of no success, and what is the significance of "the deep"?**

Answer: Jesus' instruction to Simon to "launch out into the deep" (Gk. *báthos*) after a fruitless night of fishing was a deliberate act designed to demonstrate His divine authority and power, and to test Simon's faith. From a professional fisherman's perspective, it was illogical to fish in the deep during the day, especially after failing all night. The significance of "the deep" lies both in its literal meaning—the deeper parts of the lake where fish were not typically found during the day—and its metaphorical implications. It represents moving beyond the shallow, familiar, and comfortable, into areas that require greater trust, vulnerability, and dependence on God. It was a call to step out in faith beyond human reasoning and experience, showing that God's ways are higher than our ways ([Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8-9 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts Are Higher")). The resulting miraculous catch was a powerful sign that obedience to Christ's word yields results far beyond human capability.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 5:4, with its command to "launch out into the deep," finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus' call to His disciples and, by extension, to all believers, to embark on a mission that transcends human capability and relies entirely on His divine power and provision. Just as Simon was called to leave the familiar shore and venture into the unknown depths for a miraculous catch, so too are believers called to "go therefore and make disciples of all nations" ([Matthew 28:19](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19 - The Great Commission")), a task far beyond our natural abilities. The "draught" of fish foreshadows the spiritual harvest of souls that would come through the disciples' ministry, empowered by the Holy Spirit. Jesus, the Lord of creation, who commands the fish, is also the Lord of the harvest, who equips His followers to bring in a multitude for His Kingdom. This passage beautifully illustrates that our effectiveness in ministry is not based on our own skill or experience, but on our obedient response to the authoritative word of Christ, who promises to be with us always, even to the end of the age ([Matthew 28:20](/matthew/28-20 "Matthew 28:20 - Jesus' Promise of Presence")). He is the one who provides the "fish" when we simply obey His command to "let down our nets."

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 21:6

And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.

Matthew 17:27

Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.