Devine Scripture

Luke 5:4

What does Luke 5:4 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 5:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 5:4 means

After finishing his teaching, Jesus gives a direct, unexpected command to Simon: put out into the deep and let down the nets for a catch. This instruction will seem odd to professional fishermen who had already labored all night. The command shows Jesus’ authority to shift from word to deed and invites human obedience even when it runs counter to experience. Luke frames the act as a test of faith: Simon must trust Jesus’ word more than his own expertise, foreshadowing the greater call to trust Jesus in leaving his livelihood to follow him.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Put out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Put out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And when his talk was ended, he said to Simon, Go out into deep water, and let down your nets for fish.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And when he left off speaking, he said unto Simon, `Put back to the deep, and let down your nets for a draught;'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Now when he had ceased to speak, he said to Simon: Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a draught.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But when he ceased speaking, he said to Simon, Draw out into the deep [water] and let down your nets for a haul.

Context

The shift from teaching to action marks a pattern in Luke: Jesus speaks and then demonstrates his power. This verse follows Jesus’ public teaching and precedes the miraculous catch. For readers, the command is pivotal: it prepares Simon to make a faith decision. The narrative will show Simon’s response—initial protest, then obedience—and the result that convinces him of Jesus’ identity and his own unworthiness, setting the stage for his call to discipleship.

v.3And 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.

v.4This passage

v.5And Simon answered and said, Master, we toiled all night, and took nothing: but at thy word I will let down the nets.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • John 21:6

    And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.

  • Matthew 17:27

    But, lest we cause them to stumble, go thou to the sea, and cast a hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a shekel: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

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