Luke 5:6 (KJV)

What does Luke 5:6 mean?

Luke 5:6 describes how, after following Jesus’ instructions, Simon Peter and his companions caught so many fish that their net began to break. This verse highlights the overwhelming success of their catch, which was far beyond what they could have achieved on their own.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking to Simon Peter and other fishermen by the Sea of Galilee. They had worked all night without catching anything, but when they obeyed Jesus’ command to let down their nets, they caught an extraordinary number of fish. The verse sets up a moment of awe and surprise, showing the impact of trusting Jesus’ word.

The Greek behind Luke 5:6

• The word for “inclosed” is συνέκλεισαν (synekleisan), which means to enclose or shut in together. This emphasizes that the fish were gathered in such a way that escape was impossible, showing the completeness of the catch.
• The word for “brake” is διερρήγνυτο (dierrēgnyto), meaning to tear or break apart. The Greek here carries the sense of the net being stretched to its limits, highlighting just how abundant the catch was—so much so that their equipment could hardly contain it.

Why Luke 5:6 matters

• Luke 5:6 clears up the idea that this was an ordinary fishing trip; the verse stresses the miraculous nature of the catch, which was only possible because they listened to Jesus.
• The verse connects directly to the following verses, where the amazement of the fishermen leads to a deeper encounter with Jesus and a call to follow him.
• The detail about the net breaking shows not just abundance, but also the unexpected and overwhelming results of obedience, setting the stage for the disciples’ growing understanding of who Jesus is.