Luke 5:10-11

Luke 5:10-11

[10] And  so  was also  James,  and  John,  the sons  of Zebedee,  which  partners  with Simon.  And  Jesus  said  unto  Simon,  Fear  not;  from  henceforth  catch  men.  [11] And  when they had brought  their ships  to  land,  they forsook  and followed  him. 

What does Luke 5:10-11 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Jesus does not depart from nor reject sinners who feel conviction because of their sin. He draws them to Himself and sends them out to serve Him. Jesus used the fish to represent people that Peter would draw into the kingdom of God and before that into the church (cf. Acts 2; Acts 10:9-48). This seems to be a reference to catching in the sense of saving rather than in the sense of judging and destroying.
"Fishermen caught live fish to kill them, but the disciples would be catching people who were dead to give them life." [1]
Peter and his three companions immediately abandoned their life as fishermen to become Jesus" disciples full-time (cf. Luke 14:33; Luke 18:22). Only Luke recorded that Jesus had contact with Peter before He called Peter to follow Him (cf. Luke 4:38). These fishermen left the greatest catch of their career, undoubtedly, because of what it showed them of Jesus. [2] It is unlikely that they were able to finance their life as Jesus" disciples with this catch of fish, as one commentator suggested. [3]
"Luke did not lay particular stress on the thought of giving up all to follow Jesus ( Mark 1:18; Mark 1:20): the accent is on Luke 5:10 with its call to mission." [4]
The general emphasis in this incident is on the authority of Jesus. His words had powerful effects. The only proper response to them was submission. Blessing would follow in the form of participation in Jesus" mission.
"The major application in the miracle of the catch of fish centers around Jesus" instructions and Peter"s responses. In the midst of teaching many, Jesus calls a few people to more focused service. Peter is one example of such a call. Everyone has a ministry, and all are equal before God, but some are called to serve him directly. Peter has the three necessary qualities Jesus is looking for. He is willing to go where Jesus leads, he is humble, and he is fully committed." [5]
This whole first section describing Jesus" teaching mission ( Luke 4:14 to Luke 5:11) focuses on Jesus" authority and the proper response to it.