The Call of Simon the Fisherman

While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret. He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” Simon said in reply, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.” When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them. They came and filled both boats so that they were in danger of sinking. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon. Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him.

Luke 5:1-11

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A Montage of Simon Peter’s Life

The Miraculous Catch By the Lake

Aboard Peter’s boat, which the Church Fathers likened to the ark of the Church, Jesus draws multitudes hungry for life-giving truth. In a preview of coming attractions, Jesus and Simon, the captain and his chief mate, catch a boatload of fish—followers of Christ—almost to sinking. 

Peter’s Call and Transformation

Luke cannot contain his joy and enthusiasm for elevating Peter at the beginning of his gospel account. While other gospels separate the call of the first disciples (Mark 1:16-20) and the large catch of fish at the post-resurrectional appearance of Jesus (John 21:1-11), Luke paints an icon of multiple incidents that superimposes the face of Christ on his chief apostle. Every icon of a saint bears the face of Christ; Peter, called by Jesus to “make disciples of all nations,” represents Christ in the pilgrim Church.

Luke’s Theological Portrait

Luke’s account isn’t strictly chronological. He uses “Simon Peter” and “Simon” interchangeably, prioritizing theological intent over a journalistic report.  The gospels record Simon’s name change variously, after Jesus has made his acquaintance (Mark 3:16, Luke 6:14, John 1:42). Further, Simon Peter’s cry to Jesus as “Lord”—a mature realization—expresses Luke’s theological intent, which he prioritizes over a plain eyewitness report.¹ In fact, Luke was not an eyewitness of these specific incidents but a close friend of Jesus’ disciples who had absorbed their stories so seamlessly that his writing captured the spirit of their mission. 

Peter’s Journey of Faith

Peter denied Jesus three times before his arrest, but was reinstated after catching 153 fish at Tiberias (John 21:15-17). Luke captures his cry, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” No doubt Luke heard the tearful story of Peter’s pivotal repentance many times. Through trial and tribulation, Simon grows into his role as Peter the “rock,” whose strength comes from the Lord. Apart from Christ, the fishermen’s net is empty.

Luke’s Video Edit

Luke’s narrative resembles a short video composed of clips from the apostolic mission: Crowds listening to Jesus by the lake; fishermen washing their nets; Jesus getting into Simon’s boat; Jesus preaching to crowds from the boat; Jesus directing Simon to lower his nets for a shockingly massive catch of fish; the fishermen filling both boats with fish; Simon Peter falling on his knees in repentance before Jesus; the astonished faces of Simon’s companions in their overloaded boats; and the men leaving their boats behind to follow Jesus. If this were a vocation video, the final words might flash, “FOLLOW ME,” accompanied by dramatic music.

Jesus, the divine fisher of humankind, calls us to join him in the mission of fishing people from “every nation, race, people, and tongue” (Revelation 7:9). 

The Church as a Vessel

Notice also that this boat is not a boat that is given to Peter to be piloted—rather, it is the church, which is committed to the apostle to be governed. For this is the vessel that…gives life to those borne along by the storms of this world as if by waves.

St. Maximus of Turin, Sermon 110

Traditional Chinese Translation

《漁夫西門的呼召》
 西門依從耶穌的話，就下網撒到海裡。
 ”主啊，離開我！” 彼得俯伏，跪了下來。
 “從今以後，你要得人了。 西門，來跟從我。”

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Reference

¹ See the New American Bible (Revised Edition) footnote to Luke 5:1-11.