Luke 5:6

Luke 5:6 KJV Commentary: The Miraculous Catch and Breaking Nets

Context

Luke 5:6 describes the immediate result of Simon Peter's obedience to Jesus' seemingly illogical command. After teaching the crowds from Peter's boat, Jesus instructs the experienced fisherman to "launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught" (Luke 5:4). Peter, having toiled all night without success, expresses his professional doubt but yields to Jesus' word (Luke 5:5). This verse, therefore, highlights the dramatic outcome of that act of faith, leading directly to Peter's profound realization of Jesus' divine authority and his call to discipleship.

Key Themes

• Obedience and Divine Blessing: The immense catch of fish is a direct consequence of Peter's obedience to Jesus' command, despite his initial skepticism. It illustrates that God's blessings often flow from our willingness to trust and act on His word, even when it defies human logic or experience.
• Supernatural Abundance: The "great multitude of fishes" demonstrates Jesus' miraculous power over creation. This abundance far exceeded what was naturally possible, signifying divine provision and a blessing beyond human capacity. This miraculous provision foreshadows the vast spiritual harvest of souls that the disciples would later gather, a theme also seen in another miraculous catch after Christ's resurrection.
• Human Limitations Revealed: The detail that "their net brake" emphasizes the overwhelming nature of the blessing. The sheer quantity of fish was so great that it strained their equipment to its breaking point, requiring them to call for help from their partners (Luke 5:7). This underscores the idea that God's blessings can be so vast they exceed our natural ability to contain or manage them.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "their net brake" uses a verb (Greek: διερρήγνυτο, dierrēgnyto) that is in the imperfect tense. This tense suggests that the net was not instantly shattered but was in the process of breaking or beginning to tear under the immense and continuous strain of the fish. This vividly portrays the overwhelming, ongoing influx of fish into the net.

The word "inclosed" (Greek: συνέκλεισαν, synekleisan) means to shut up together or to enclose completely, indicating the success of the net in trapping a vast number of fish once it was deployed under Jesus' direction.

Practical Application

This verse offers powerful lessons for believers today:

• Trust in Christ's Word: It encourages us to trust in Jesus' instructions and promises, even when they seem counter-intuitive or when our own experience suggests otherwise. Obedience to Christ often unlocks blessings beyond our comprehension.
• God's Abundant Provision: The breaking net reminds us that God's provision and blessings can be so abundant that they exceed our expectations, resources, and even our capacity to handle them alone. This may require us to rely more fully on Him and to seek assistance from others in the body of Christ.
• Preparation for Greater Service: This miraculous event served as a powerful sign for Peter and his companions, preparing them for a greater calling. It demonstrated Jesus' power and authority, which would soon transform them from "fishers of fish" into "fishers of men" (Luke 5:10). It teaches us that divine encounters often precede and equip us for our true purpose in God's Kingdom.