Luke 5:10Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Thus, the Redeemer, aiming to illustrate that the act of fishing symbolizes the Church, sought to instruct Peter further and encouraged him by this demonstration, saying, "Fear not; from now on, you will catch men." By stating "from now on," He indicates that Peter has witnessed His power and recognized that even irrational beings respond to His command, and everything yields to His call. After providing such a compelling illustration, He encourages Peter to diligently pursue the souls of others. He did not imply that Peter would catch men as one would fish, but that he would catch them alive. Fish are captured alive only to be killed, whereas men are drawn away from death into life. "From now on," He declares, "you will catch men." Why then does the Redeemer reassure him with "Fear not"?

"Depart from me, Lord," Peter exclaimed, "for I am a sinful man" (Luke 5:8). He was filled with awe at the miraculous gifts bestowed upon him, and the greater his worthiness became, the less he anticipated receiving such grace. Thus, you too might say, "Depart from me, O Lord, for I am a sinful man," that you may hear from the Lord, "Fear not" (Luke 5:10). Do not shy away from confessing your sins to the all-merciful Lord, and do not hesitate to acknowledge as His that which is rightfully yours, for He has graciously given it to us. He knows no jealousy, theft, or deceit. Consider how benevolent the Lord is, for He has also granted humanity the tremendous ability to restore life.

The remarkable catch of fish symbolizes the vast harvest of souls, serving as a prefiguration of the multitude destined to be drawn into the nets of the Apostles. Christ transforms their earthly fishing into a spiritual endeavor, proclaiming that henceforth they will pursue men instead. We ought to perceive the current situation from a spiritual perspective. Prior to Christ’s arrival, a darkness of confusion and ignorance prevailed, where the prophets toiled tirelessly but found no willing souls, as the people surrendered themselves to wickedness and turned away from righteousness. However, when the Sun of Righteousness appeared, illuminating the hearts of humanity, the apostles cast their nets of gospel teaching, ensnaring a great multitude of souls, the flocks of the Gentiles. Supporting the apostles in this sacred task are the bishops and teachers of the local churches, who join them in this important work.

Remarkable occurrences evoke feelings of dread and astonishment. These fishermen had never experienced such a vast catch of fish in a river simultaneously, which explains why Peter, along with James, John, and their companions, were filled with wonder. However, Peter was not merely surprised; he was also deeply distressed. If fear had not taken hold of him, Jesus would not have reassured him with the words: ‘Do not be afraid.’ What caused his terror? While his astonishment stemmed from witnessing something extraordinary, the horror he felt had a different origin. He was frightened because he recognized his own sinfulness, expressing, ‘I am a sinful man.’ Sin naturally breeds fear. What was the source of his fright? It was, without a doubt, the consequence of sin.

To ascertain whether the Hebrew accounts refer to the same occurrence or different ones necessitates an initial inquiry into the essential aspect in Luke's account, which significantly contrasts with the consistent narrative found in the first two Hebrews. Is the focus on the miraculous catch of fish, or is it the calling of the apostles? In Luke's narrative, only the final verse and a half address the apostles' calling, while the remainder revolves around Christ's teaching by the sea and the astounding catch of fish.

Jesus comforted Peter with the words, "Do not be afraid." Responding to this invitation, Peter, along with Andrew, James, and John, brought their boats to the land and, leaving their nets and catch behind, chose to follow Jesus.

In response came the uplifting assurance, "Fear not; from now on you will catch men." The Savior, consistent with His teachings, spoke to their deeper understanding of the situation. Nearby in the boat lay a significant catch of fish, recently removed from the waters, their struggles beginning to calm—foreshadowing the eternal rest of death. Henceforth, this sinful individual, cleansed and redeemed, transformed and sanctified, would embark on a greater mission, seeking the souls who, ensnared by the net of the Gospel, would not face death, but rather life everlasting. Additionally, his brother and fellow workers would also be called to become "fishers of men."

"Do not be afraid": with a gentle and humble expression, the Lord reassures the frightened Peter and reveals his future exalted purpose. The Evangelist focuses on Simon Peter in this account, indicating that these words were directed specifically to him, although it is likely that all four disciples were present, including Andrew, who is referenced in Matthew 4:18, as well as James and John, who also experienced fear at the sight of this miraculous catch of fish.