Matthew Henry Commentary Luke 5:1-11

"Now it came to pass, while the multitude pressed upon him and heard the word of God, that he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret; and he saw two boats standing by the lake: but the fishermen had gone out of them, and were washing their nets. And he entered into one of the boats, which was Simon`s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the multitudes out of the boat. And when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Put out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answered and said, Master, we toiled all night, and took nothing: but at thy word I will let down the nets. And when they had done this, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes; and their nets were breaking; and they beckoned unto their partners in the other boat, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell down at Jesus` knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was amazed, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken; and so were also James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. And when they had brought their boats to land, they left all, and followed him." — Luke 5:1-11 (ASV)

When Christ had finished preaching, he told Peter to attend to the work of his calling. Time spent on weekdays in public religious exercises need be only a small hindrance in terms of time, and can be a great help to us in our state of mind regarding our worldly business. With what cheerfulness we can go about the duties of our calling when we have been with God, and thus have our worldly tasks sanctified to us by the word and prayer!

Although they had caught nothing, Christ still told them to let down their nets again. We must not abruptly quit our callings because we do not have the success in them we desire. We are likely to do well when we follow the guidance of Christ's word. The catch of fish was by a miracle.

We must all, like Peter, acknowledge ourselves to be sinful men; therefore, Jesus Christ might justly depart from us. But we must implore him not to depart, for woe to us if the Savior departs from sinners! Rather, let us plead with him to come and dwell in our hearts by faith, so that he may transform and cleanse them.

These fishermen left everything and followed Jesus, even when their calling prospered. When riches increase and we are tempted to set our hearts on them, then to give them up for Christ is praiseworthy.