A.T. Robertson Commentary Luke 5

Pressed upon him (επικεισθα). Luke in this paragraph (5:1-11; Matthew 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 (John 11:38) or of fish on the burning coals (John 21:9). So it is used of a tempest (Acts 27:20) and of the urgent demands for Christ's crucifixion (Luke 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 (Acts 9:37) and the stripes of the prisoners (Acts 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 (Acts 27:17,30). But it was used for lowering anything from a higher place (Acts 9:25; 2 Corinthians 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.