A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] at sacred-texts.com
Luke Chapter 5
MIRACULOUS DRAUGHT OF FISHES--CALL OF PETER, JAMES, AND JOHN. (Luk 5:1-11)
taught . . . out of the ship--(See on Mat 13:2).
for a draught--munificent recompense for the use of his boat.
Master--betokening not surely a first acquaintance, but a relationship already formed.
all night--the usual time of fishing then (Joh 21:3), and even now Peter, as a fisherman, knew how hopeless it was to "let down his net" again, save as a mere act of faith, "at His word" of command, which carried in it, as it ever does, assurance of success. (This shows he must have been already and for some time a follower of Christ.)
net brake--rather "was breaking," or "beginning to break," as in Luk 5:7, "beginning to sink."
Depart, &c.--Did Peter then wish Christ to leave him? Verily no. His all was wrapt up in Him (Joh 6:68). "It was rather, Woe is me, Lord! How shall I abide this blaze of glory? A sinner such as I am is not fit company for Thee." (Compare Isa 6:5.)
Simon, fear not--This shows how the Lord read Peter's speech. The more highly they deemed Him, ever the more grateful it was to the Redeemer's spirit. Never did they pain Him by manifesting too lofty conceptions of Him.
from henceforth--marking a new stage of their connection with Christ. The last was simply, "I will make you fishers."
fishers of men--"What wilt thou think, Simon, overwhelmed by this draught of fishes, when I shall bring to thy net what will beggar all this glory?" (See on Mat 4:18.)
forsook all--They did this before (Mat 4:20); now they do it again; and yet after the Crucifixion they are at their boats once more (Joh 21:3). In such a business this is easily conceivable. After pentecost, however, they appear to have finally abandoned their secular calling.
LEPER HEALED. (Luk 5:12-16)
But so, &c.--(See Mar 1:45).
PARALYTIC HEALED. (Luk 5:17-26)
Pharisees and doctors . . . sitting by--the highest testimony yet borne to our Lord's growing influence, and the necessity increasingly felt by the ecclesiastics throughout the country of coming to some definite judgment regarding Him.
power of the Lord . . . present--with Jesus.
to heal them--the sick people.
housetop--the flat roof.
through the tiling . . . before Jesus--(See on Mar 2:2).
take up thy couch--"sweet saying! The bed had borne the man; now the man shall bear the bed!" [BENGEL].
LEVI'S CALL AND FEAST. (Luk 5:27-32)
their scribes--a mode of expression showing that Luke was writing for Gentiles.