Luke 5:8Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Peter exclaimed, "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man," and this acknowledgment made him the cornerstone of the Church. Indeed, nothing delights God more than when a person regards himself as one of the foremost sinners. This realization marks the onset of true wisdom: those who are humble and contrite bear no arrogance, anger, or jealousy toward others; in essence, they do not harbor any unholy desires within themselves.

In a moment of profound reverence, Peter implores Jesus to disembark from the boat, acknowledging his own sinfulness and feeling unworthy to be in His presence.

For this reason, Peter, reflecting on his past transgressions, experiences trembling and fear. As someone unclean, he decides against accepting the One who is pure. His fear is justified, as the law had instructed him to discern between the sacred and the impure.

“Depart from me, Lord,” Peter exclaims, “for I am a sinner” (Luke 5:8). Overwhelmed by the divine gifts, Peter found that as his worthiness increased, his expectations diminished. Likewise, you are to proclaim, “Depart from me, O Lord, for I am a sinful man,” so that you may hear from the Lord, “Do not be afraid” (Luke 5:10). There is no need to fear confessing your sins to the all-forgiving Lord; do not hesitate to acknowledge that which belongs to the Lord, for He has bestowed it upon us freely. He is devoid of envy, theft, or deceit. Observe how gracious the Lord is, having granted humanity the incredible authority to restore life.

Recognizing that His directive had been wondrously accomplished and acknowledging His divine and unique nature, Peter, filled with deep awe and a sense of unworthiness, implored to be kept away from His presence. He feared that, in his unworthiness, approaching such a figure could put him in peril.

When you examine the centurion's acknowledgment, "Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof" (Matthew 8:8), alongside Peter's plea, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, Lord," a significant contrast emerges. The centurion expresses humility, profound respect, and reverence by stating, "Lord, I am not worthy" as he welcomes Jesus into his home—an indication of his recognition of the honor such a visit entails. In contrast, Peter’s request for Jesus to leave his presence, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, Lord," conveys feelings of dread, apprehension, and fear. The subsequent statements underscore Peter's sense of both fear and terror:

After Jesus concluded His teachings, He instructed Simon to venture into deeper waters and cast a net for fish. Despite being a seasoned fisherman who had labored throughout the night without success, Simon doubted his chances but chose to follow Jesus' command. Peter, along with James, John, and others who assisted them, was astonished by the extraordinary fishing experience. Those unfamiliar with the trade may have celebrated the unexpected abundance, yet those who had spent their lives fishing on the lake understood that under the circumstances they had fished at Jesus' direction, it would be impossible to catch anything. Thus, the immense haul they experienced was undeniably a miracle performed by Jesus.

The two boats were brimming with cargo, and as soon as their task was complete, Peter, realizing the magnitude of the miracle, instinctively fell to his knees before Jesus. Struck by fear in the presence of the mighty miracle worker, he exclaimed, "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man." A flash of divine enlightenment made him aware of his own sinful nature and the greatness of the One who was in the boat with him. This exclamation was a moment of self-condemnation, a spontaneous reaction filled with wonder and trepidation—emotions that would later evolve into profound adoration and love. Peter’s plea to "depart from me" was not meant literally; he expressed, in truth known to the Heart, “I am wholly unworthy to be near You, yet I long to remain.”

Crouching at the feet of Jesus signifies a profound act of supplication intertwined with a powerful sense of inner turmoil (terror - Lk. 5:9). The command to 'Come out,' among other statements, reveals an awareness of one's own unworthiness in the presence of the majesty and might of the Miracle Worker, coupled with a deep recognition of personal sinfulness when confronted with the holiness of the Lord, who performs such wondrous acts. This particular miracle had a significant impact on Peter, who, having witnessed other miracles done by the Lord, found this one particularly resonant. It occurred within the context of his ordinary profession, on his own vessel, with his own fishing nets, and involved his active participation after enduring a long night of unsuccessful fishing.