Luke 5:9

For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(9) For he was astonished.—More literally, for astonishment seized him.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

5:1-11 When Christ had done preaching, he told Peter to apply to the business of his calling. Time spent on week days in public exercises of religion, need be but little hinderance in time, and may be great furtherance to us in temper of mind, as to our worldly business. With what cheerfulness may we go about the duties of our calling, when we have been with God, and thus have our worldly employments sanctified to us by the word and prayer! Though they had taken nothing, yet Christ told them to let down their nets again. We must not abruptly quit our callings because we have not the success in them we desire. We are likely to speed well, when we follow the guidance of Christ's word. The draught of fishes was by a miracle. We must all, like Peter, own ourselves to be sinful men, therefore Jesus Christ might justly depart from us. But we must beseech him that he would not depart; for woe unto us if the Saviour depart from sinners! Rather let us entreat him to come and dwell in our hearts by faith, that he may transform and cleanse them. These fishermen forsook all, and followed Jesus, when their calling prospered. When riches increase, and we are tempted to set our hearts upon them, then to quit them for Christ is thankworthy.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

When Simon Peter saw it - Saw the great amount of fishes; the remarkable success of letting down the net.

He fell down at Jesus' knees - This was a common posture of "supplication." He had no doubt now of the power and knowledge of Jesus. In amazement, wonder, and gratitude, and not doubting that he was in the presence of some divine being, he prostrated himself to the earth, trembling and afraid. So should sinful people "always" throw themselves at the feet of Jesus at the proofs of his power; so should they humble themselves before him at the manifestations of his goodness.

Depart from me - This is an expression of Peter's humility, and of his consciousness of his unworthiness. It was not from want of love to Jesus; it did not show that he would not be pleased with his favor and presence; but it was the result of being convinced that Jesus was a messenger from God - a high and holy being; and he felt that he was unworthy to be in his presence. In his deep consciousness of sin, therefore, he requested that Jesus would depart from him and his little vessel. Peter's feeling was not unnatural, though it was not proper to request Jesus to leave him. It was an involuntary, sudden request, and arose from ignorance of the character of Jesus. We "are" not worthy to be with him, to be reckoned among his friends, or to dwell in heaven with him; but he came to seek the lost and to save the impure. He graciously condescends to dwell with those who are humble and contrite, though they are conscious that they are not worthy of his presence; and we may therefore come boldly to him, and ask him to receive us to his home - to an eternal dwelling with him in the heavens.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

8. Depart, &c.—Did Peter then wish Christ to leave him? Verily no. His all was wrapt up in Him (Joh 6:68). "It was rather, Woe is me, Lord! How shall I abide this blaze of glory? A sinner such as I am is not fit company for Thee." (Compare Isa 6:5.)

Matthew Poole's Commentary

See Poole on "Luke 5:3"

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Far he was astonished, and all that were with him,.... His brother Andrew, and the servants they had with them to manage the vessel, and cast the nets:

at the draught of the fishes they had taken; being so large and numerous, as the like was never seen, nor known by them before.

Geneva Study Bible

For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

9. he was astonished] Rather, astonishment seized him.

Bengel's Gnomen

Luke 5:9. Θάμβος, amazement) We ought to learn the fear of the Lord even from His benefits to us: ch. Luke 5:26, Luke 7:16; Jeremiah 5:24. [Such is the experience of all whom GOD determines to use as His instruments. In the present passage this is especially recorded of the triad, composed of those three who afterwards became the foremost among the apostles.—V. g.]—[ἐπὶ τῇ ἄγρᾳ, at the draught) Jesus, in this instance, taught Simon by the very fact. Every work of God teaches us. To observe these lessons is the part of true prudence.—V. g.]

Luke 5:9

Vincent's Word Studies

He was astonished (θάμβος περιέσχεν αὐτὸν)

Lit., amazement encompassed him. See on 1 Peter 2:6.

The draught (τῇ ἄγρα)

The word is used both of the act of catching and of that which is caught. In Luke 5:4 it has the former sense: "let down your net for catching:" here, the latter, the catch or haul.