Devine Scripture

Luke 5:6

What does Luke 5:6 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 5:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 5:6 means

When Simon and the others obey, their nets enclose an overwhelming multitude of fish, so many that the nets begin to break. The miracle emphasizes Jesus’ power over creation and his ability to multiply and provide where human effort failed. The imagery of the nets straining highlights the abundance and the unexpected, almost chaotic, overflow that accompanies divine blessing. This result produces astonishment and points to a deeper meaning: if Jesus can command fish, he can command human lives; the miraculous catch foreshadows the call to ‘catch men.’

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And when they had done this, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes; and their nets were breaking;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And when they had done this, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes; and their nets were breaking;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And when they had done this, they got such a great number of fish that it seemed as if their nets would be broken;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And having done this, they enclosed a great multitude of fishes, and their net was breaking,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And when they had done this, they enclosed a very great multitude of fishes: and their net broke.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And having done this, they enclosed a great multitude of fishes. And their net broke.

Context

This verse delivers the miraculous payoff for the prior command and obedience. It bridges Jesus’ instruction and the reaction of the fishermen, who are amazed and alarmed. The abundant catch contrasts with their prior failure and sets up the recognition of Jesus’ extraordinary authority. Right after this, partners come to help and boats begin to sink—further signs of abundance—leading to Peter’s confession and Jesus’ call that reframes fishing as a metaphor for evangelism.

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

v.6This passage

v.7and 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.

Cross references

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

  • 2 Kings 4:3

    Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbors, even empty vessels; borrow not a few.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:58

    Wherefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not vain in the Lord.

  • Galatians 6:9

    And let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

  • Ecclesiastes 11:6

    In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thy hand; for thou knowest not which shall prosper, whether this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.

  • 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.

  • Acts 4:4

    But many of them that heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.

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