Luk 5:1-11 | RWP | e4.org | Pressed upon him ( επικεισθα ). Luke in this paragraph ( ; ; ) does not follow the chronology of Mark as he usually does. It seems reasonably clear that the renewed call of the four fishermen came before the first tour of Galilee in . It is here assumed that Luke is describing in his own way the incident given in Mark and Matthew above. Luke singles out Simon in a graphic way. This verb επικεισθα is an old one and means to λιε υπον , rest upon as of a stone on the tomb ( ) or of fish on the burning coals ( ). So it is used of a tempest ( ) and of the urgent demands for Christ's crucifixion ( ). Here it vividly pictures the eager crowds around Jesus. Εν τω επικεισθα is a favourite idiom with Luke as we have already seen, εν with the articular infinitive in the locative case. That ( κα ). Κα does not technically mean the declarative conjunction "that," but it is a fair rendering of the somewhat awkward idiom of Luke to a certain extent imitating the Hebrew use of wav . Was standing ( ην εστως ). Periphrastic second past perfect of ιστημ which here is equal to a practical imperfect. By the lake ( παρα την λιμνην ). The use of the accusative with παρα , alongside, after a verb of rest used to be called the pregnant use, came and was standing. But that is no longer necessary, for the accusative as the case of extension is the oldest of the cases and in later Greek regains many of the earlier uses of the other cases employed for more precise distinctions. See the same idiom in verse . We need not here stress the notion of extension. "With characteristic accuracy Luke never calls it a sea, while the others never call it a lake" (Plummer).

‏ Luke 5:1-11

Pressed upon him ( επικεισθα ). Luke in this paragraph (5:1-11; Mr 1:16-20; Mt 4:18-22) does not follow the chronology of Mark as he usually does. It seems reasonably clear that the renewed call of the four fishermen came before the first tour of Galilee in Lu 4:42-44. It is here assumed that Luke is describing in his own way the incident given in Mark and Matthew above. Luke singles out Simon in a graphic way. This verb επικεισθα is an old one and means to λιε υπον, rest upon as of a stone on the tomb (Joh 11:38) or of fish on the burning coals (Joh 21:9). So it is used of a tempest (Ac 27:20) and of the urgent demands for Christ's crucifixion (Lu 23:23). Here it vividly pictures the eager crowds around Jesus. Εν τω επικεισθα is a favourite idiom with Luke as we have already seen, εν with the articular infinitive in the locative case.

That ( κα ). Κα does not technically mean the declarative conjunction "that," but it is a fair rendering of the somewhat awkward idiom of Luke to a certain extent imitating the Hebrew use of wav.

Was standing ( ην εστως ). Periphrastic second past perfect of ιστημ which here is equal to a practical imperfect.

By the lake ( παρα την λιμνην ). The use of the accusative with παρα, alongside, after a verb of rest used to be called the pregnant use, came and was standing. But that is no longer necessary, for the accusative as the case of extension is the oldest of the cases and in later Greek regains many of the earlier uses of the other cases employed for more precise distinctions. See the same idiom in verse 2. We need not here stress the notion of extension. "With characteristic accuracy Luke never calls it a sea, while the others never call it a lake" (Plummer).

Two boats ( πλοια δυο ). Some MSS. have πλοιαρια, little boats, but πλοια was used of boats of various sizes, even of ships like νηες.

The fishermen ( ο αλεεις ). It is an old Homeric word that has come back to common use in the Koine. It means "sea-folk" from αλς, sea.

Were washing ( επλυνον ). Imperfect active, though some MSS. have aorist επλυναν. Vincent comments on Luke's use of five verbs for washing: this one for cleaning, απομασσω for wiping the dust from one's feet (10:11), εκμασσω of the sinful woman wiping Christ's feet with her hair (7:38, 44), απολουω of washing away sins (symbolically, of course) as in Ac 22:16, and λουω of washing the body of Dorcas (Ac 9:37) and the stripes of the prisoners (Ac 16:33). On "nets" see on Mt 4:20; Mr 1:18.

To put out a little ( επαναγαγειν ολιγον ). Second aorist infinitive of the double compound verb επ-αν-αγω, found in Xenophon and late Greek writers generally. Only twice in the N.T. In Mt 21:18 in the sense of leading back or returning and here in the sense of leading a ship up upon the sea, to put out to sea, a nautical term.

Taught ( εδικασκεν ). Imperfect active, picturing Jesus teaching from the boat in which he was seated and so safe from the jam of the crowd. "Christ uses Peter's boat as a pulpit whence to throw the net of the Gospel over His hearers" (Plummer).

Had left speaking ( επαυσατο λαλων ). He ceased speaking (aorist middle indicative and present active participle, regular Greek idiom).

Put out into the deep ( επαναγαγε εις το βαθος ). The same double compound verb as in verse 3, only here second aorist active imperative second person singular.

Let down ( χαλασατε ). Peter was master of the craft and so he was addressed first. First aorist active imperative second person plural. Here the whole crew are addressed. The verb is the regular nautical term for lowering cargo or boats (Ac 27:17, 30). But it was used for lowering anything from a higher place (Mr 2:4; Ac 9:25; 2Co 11:33). For a catch ( εις αγραν ). This purpose was the startling thing that stirred up Simon.

Master ( επιστατα ). Used only by Luke in the N.T. and always in addresses to Christ (8:24, 45; 9:33, 49; 17:13). Common in the older writers for superintendent or overseer (one standing over another). This word recognizes Christ's authority.

We toiled ( κοπιασαντες ). This verb is from κοπος ( wορκ, τοιλ ) and occurs from Aristophanes on. It used to be said that the notion of weariness in toil appears only in the LXX and the N.T. But Deissmann (Light from the Ancient East, pp. 312f.) cites examples from inscriptions on tombstones quite in harmony with the use in the N.T. Peter's protest calls attention also to the whole night of fruitless toil.

But at thy word ( επ δε τω ρηματ σου ). On the base of επ. Acquiescence to show his obedience to Christ as "Master," but with no confidence whatsoever in the wisdom of this particular command. Besides, fishing in this lake was Peter's business and he really claimed superior knowledge on this occasion to that of Jesus.

They inclosed ( συνεκλεισαν ). Effective aorist active indicative with perfective compound συν.

They shut together. Were breaking ( διερησσετο ). Imperfect passive singular ( δικτυα being neuter plural). This is the late form of the old verb διαρηγνυμ. The nets were actually tearing in two ( δια- ) and so they would lose all the fish.

They beckoned ( κατενευσαν ). Possibly they were too far away for a call to be understood. Simon alone had been ordered to put out into the deep. So they used signs.

Unto their partners ( τοις μετεχοις ). This word μετοχος, from μετεχω, to have with, means participation with one in common blessings (Heb 3:1, 14; 6:4; 12:8). While κοινωνος (verse 10 here of James and John also) has the notion of personal fellowship, partnership. Both terms are here employed of the two pairs of brothers who have a business company under Simon's lead.

Help them ( συλλαβεσθα ). Second aorist middle infinitive. Take hold together with and so to help. Paul uses it in Php 4:3. It is an old word that was sometimes employed for seizing a prisoner (Lu 22:54) and for conception (con-capio) by a woman (Lu 1:24).

So that they began to sink ( ωστε βυθιζεσθα αυτα ). Consecutive use of ωστε and the infinitive (present tense, inchoative use, beginning to sink). An old verb from βυθος. In the N.T. only here and 1Ti 6:9.

Fell down at Jesus' knees ( προσεπεσεν τοις γονασιν Ιησου ). Just like Peter, from extreme self-confidence and pride (verse 5) to abject humilation. But his impulse here was right and sincere. His confession was true. He was a sinful man.

For he was amazed ( θαμβος γαρ περιεσχεν ). Literally,

For a wonder held him round. Aorist active indicative. It held Peter fast and all the rest.

Thou shalt catch men ( εση ζωγρων ). Periphrastic future indicative, emphasizing the linear idea. The old verb Ζωγρεω means to catch alive, not to kill. So then Peter is to be a catcher of men, not of fish, and to catch them alive and for life, not dead and for death. The great Pentecost will one day prove that Christ's prophecy will come true. Much must happen before that great day. But Jesus foresees the possibilities in Simon and he joyfully undertakes the task of making a fisher of men out of this poor fisher of fish.

They left all, and followed him ( αφεντες παντα ηκολουθησαν ). Then and there. They had already become his disciples. Now they leave their business for active service of Christ. The conduct of this group of business men should make other business men to pause and see if Jesus is calling them to do likewise.