Luke Chapter 5 · Verse 8
When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.
Original Language Analysis
ἰδὼν
saw
G1492
ἰδὼν
saw
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
1 of 18
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
Πέτρος
Peter
G4074
Πέτρος
Peter
Strong's:
G4074
Word #:
4 of 18
a (piece of) rock (larger than g3037); as a name, petrus, an apostle
προσέπεσεν
it he fell down at
G4363
προσέπεσεν
it he fell down at
Strong's:
G4363
Word #:
5 of 18
to fall towards, i.e., (gently) prostrate oneself (in supplication or homage), or (violently) to rush upon (in storm)
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
9 of 18
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
λέγων,
saying
G3004
λέγων,
saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
10 of 18
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
ἀπ'
from
G575
ἀπ'
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
12 of 18
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
Cross References
Isaiah 6:5Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.Revelation 1:17And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:Judges 13:22And Manoah said unto his wife, We shall surely die, because we have seen God.Job 40:4Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.Exodus 20:19And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.1 Samuel 6:20And the men of Beth-shemesh said, Who is able to stand before this holy LORD God? and to whom shall he go up from us?Matthew 17:6And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.John 11:32Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.1 Kings 17:18And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son?2 Samuel 6:9And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me?
Historical Context
Peter's response echoes Old Testament theophanies where humans encountering God's holiness expressed terror and unworthiness (Isaiah 6:5, Ezekiel 1:28, Daniel 10:8). The miraculous catch revealed Jesus' supernatural knowledge and power over nature—attributes of deity. Peter's recognition of Jesus as 'Lord' (kyrios, often used for God in the Septuagint) suggests dawning awareness of Jesus' divine identity. His plea for Jesus to depart reversed his earlier request to use his boat (v. 3), showing how divine encounter shatters human self-confidence and reveals our true condition before holy God.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Peter's response of confessing sinfulness upon seeing Jesus' power teach about the relationship between divine holiness and human sin-awareness?
- How does Jesus' call to follow despite Peter's unworthiness demonstrate grace's triumph over deserved judgment?
Analysis & Commentary
When Peter sees the miraculous catch, he 'fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.' The Greek 'kyrie' (κύριε, Lord) acknowledges Jesus' divine authority. Peter's response—falling down, confessing sinfulness, asking Jesus to depart—shows proper reaction to encountering holiness. Awareness of Jesus' power triggers awareness of personal sinfulness. Like Isaiah (Isaiah 6:5), Peter recognizes that sinful humans cannot stand in holy God's presence. Yet Jesus doesn't depart but calls Peter to follow—grace meets confession, and divine calling overcomes human unworthiness.