Luke 5:9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Peter exclaimed, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinner,” and from this moment, he became the cornerstone of the Church. It is indeed most pleasing to God when one perceives himself as among the greatest of sinners. This realization marks the onset of true wisdom: the humble and contrite spirit remains free from pride, anger, and envy towards others; in essence, he will not entertain any sinful urges within himself.

Peter then approaches Jesus with profound respect, requesting that He disembark from the boat, acknowledging his own sinfulness and feeling unworthy to be in His presence.

Therefore, Peter, recalling his past transgressions, experiences fear and trepidation. Recognizing his own impurity, he decides against accepting the one who is pure. His apprehension is indeed warranted, as the law has instructed him to discern between the sacred and the profane.

"Depart from me, Lord," Peter declares, "for I am a sinful man" (Luke 5:8). Struck with wonder at the divine gifts, the more deserving he became, the less he anticipated receiving them. Consequently, one might say, "Depart from me, O Lord, for I am a sinful man," allowing the Lord to respond, "Do not be afraid" (Luke 5:10). Do not hesitate to confess your sins to the all-forgiving Lord; do not be afraid to acknowledge those gifts that are rightfully His, for He has graciously given them to us. His nature knows no envy, theft, or deceit. Consider how benevolent the Lord is, who has bestowed upon humanity the remarkable ability to restore life.

It is likely that alongside him were not only his brother Andrew but also some hired workers, much like James had John by his side, as noted by Mark towards the conclusion of his Gospel preface (Mark 1:20).

Why did the Savior, when the apostles beheld the fishing boats that had returned, promise Peter not what he had previously understood, but something entirely unknown to him? In that boat, He Himself forgives, symbolized by the trembling fish, representing the multitude of souls to be restored. Typically, boats serve to carry people rather than to bring them back to life; they do not renew their voyage but instead are filled with fear at this moment. Consider, then, that this boat is not merely the vessel entrusted to Peter, but rather the Church entrusted to the apostle’s stewardship. It is this very vessel that does not bring death but offers life to individuals, lifting them above earthly concerns as if from turbulent waters.

Remarkable events evoke feelings of fear and dread. The fishermen had never experienced such an immense catch of fish in a river at once, which explains why Peter, James, John, and all those with them were filled with amazement. However, Peter's response went beyond astonishment to sheer terror. Had he not felt such fear, Jesus would not have reassured him with, “Do not be afraid.” What caused this terror? While his amazement was justified, his horror stemmed from a deeper realization: he recognized himself as a sinner. He declared, “I am a sinful man,” revealing that sin naturally incites fear. What else could he have feared but the judgment associated with sin? Through witnessing the miraculous catch, Peter grasped the limitless power of Jesus Christ.

The two vessels were overflowing with cargo, and as soon as their task was completed, Peter, recognizing the magnitude of the miracle, instinctively fell to his knees before Jesus. Overwhelmed by the proximity of the great miracle worker, he exclaimed, “Come away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” A moment of divine revelation made him aware of both his own sinful inadequacy and the identity of the one who shared the boat with him. This was an impassioned cry of self-accusation, a spontaneous response of fear and wonder—emotions that would eventually deepen into adoration and love. Peter's plea was not intended in a literal sense; rather, it conveyed a deeper truth to the Heart: “I am utterly unworthy to be in Your presence, yet I desire to remain close to You.”

Crouched at the feet of Jesus signifies an external gesture of heightened supplication combined with profound inner turmoil (fear - Lk. 5:9). The command to “Come out,” reflects an awareness and acknowledgment of one’s own inadequacy in the presence of the Almighty, coupled with a deep recognition of personal sinfulness before the holiness of the Lord who performs such miraculous acts. This particular miracle resonated profoundly with Peter, who had previously witnessed other miracles by the Lord, as it occurred within the context of his modest profession, on his own boat, using his own nets, and with his active involvement, especially after experiencing a night of unsuccessful fishing.

The initial act of Christ the Redeemer upon His arrival in Capernaum was to summon Simon, Andrew, and the sons of Zebedee to become His disciples. As He walked along the lakeshore, He noticed two boats that had been abandoned by the fishermen, who were occupied with washing and repairing their nets. One boat was owned by Simon and his brother Andrew, while the other, positioned a bit farther away, belonged to Zebedee, who was out fishing with his workers and sons, James and John. The crowds followed the Lord, eager to listen to His teachings, and He stepped into Simon's boat, instructing him to push away from the land. From there, He shared His teachings with the multitude.