Luke 5 · Verse 7

Luke 5:7

And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.

Luke 5:7, King James Version

Luke 5:7 in other translations

BSB	So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.
WEB	They beckoned to their partners in the other boat, that they should come and help them. They came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink.
ASV	and they beckoned unto their partners in the other boat, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.
YLT	and they beckoned to the partners, who are in the other boat, having come, to help them; and they came, and filled both the boats, so that they were sinking.
DARBY	And they beckoned to their partners who were in the other ship to come and help them, and they came, and filled both the ships, so that they were sinking.
BBE	And they made signs to their friends in the other boat to come to their help. And they came, and the two boats were so full that they were going down.
Webster	And they beckoned to their partners, who were in the other boat, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.

What does Luke 5:7 mean?

Barnes' Notes

Verse 7. They beckoned. They gave signs. Perhaps they were at a considerable distance, so that they could not be easily heard.

Their partners. James and John. See Lk 5:10. The following remarks of Dr. Thomson (The Land and the Book, vol. it. p. 80,81) will furnish a good illustration of this passage. After describing the mode of fishing with the "hand-net" and the "drag-net," he adds:

"Again, there is the bag-net and basket-net, of various
kinds, which are so constructed and worked as to enclose
the fish out in deep water. I have seen them of almost
every conceivable size and pattern. It was with some
one of this sort, I suppose, that Simon had toiled all
night without catching anything, but which, when let
down at the command of Jesus, enclosed so great a
multitude that the net brake, and they filled two
ships with the fish until they began to sink. Peter
here speaks of toiling all night; and there are
certain kinds of fishing always carried on at night.
It is a beautiful sight. With blazing torch the boat
glides over the flashing sea, and the men stand gazing
keenly into it until their prey is sighted, when,
quick as lightning, they fling their net or fly
their spear; and often you see the tired fishermen come
sullenly into harbour in the morning, having toiled
all night in vain. Indeed, every kind of fishing is
uncertain. A dozen times the angler jerks out a
naked hook; the hand-net closes down on nothing; the
drag-net brings in only weeds; the bag comes up empty.
And then again, every throw is successful--every net is
full; and frequently without any other apparent reason
than that of throwing it on the right side of the
ship instead of the left, as it happened to the
disciples here at Tiberias."

(e) Ex 23:5, Gal 6:2, Prov 18:24

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 7 They beckoned unto their partners - Had not these been called in to assist, the net must have been broken, and all the fish lost. What a pity there should be such envious separation among the different sects that profess to believe in Christ Jesus! Did they help each other in the spirit of Christian fellowship, more souls would be brought to the knowledge of the truth. Some will rather leave souls to perish than admit of partners in the sacred work. It is an intolerable pride to think nothing well done but what we do ourselves; and a diabolic envy to be afraid lest others should be more successful than we are. They - filled both the ships - Both the boats had as many as they could carry, and were so heavily laden that they were ready to sink. As one justly observes, "There are fish plenty to be taken, were there skillful hands to take, and vessels to contain them. Many are disputing about the size, capacity, and goodness of their nets and their vessels, while the fish are permitted to make their escape." Did the faithful fishers in both the vessels in these lands (the established Church, and the various branches of the dissenting interest) join heartily together, the nations might be converted to God; but, while the ridiculous disputes for and against particular forms last, there can be no unity. Were men as zealous to catch souls, as they are to support their particular creeds, and forms of worship, the state of Christianity would be more flourishing than it is at present. But the wall of separation is continually strengthened, each party fortifying it on his own side.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Luke 5:1-11

When Christ had done preaching, he told Peter to apply to the business of his calling. Time spent on week days in public exercises of religion, need be but little hinderance in time, and may be great furtherance to us in temper of mind, as to our worldly business. With what cheerfulness may we go about the duties of our calling, when we have been with God, and thus have our worldly employments sanctified to us by…

Read the full comment on Luke 5:1-11 →

Luke 5:7 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

καὶkaiAndG2532

κατένευσανkateneusanthey beckonedG2656

τοῖςtoisto theG3588

μετόχοιςmetochoispartnersG3353

ἐνeninG1722

τῷtōtheG3588

ἑτέρῳheterōotherG2087

πλοίῳploiōboatG4143

τοῦtou<the>G3588

ἐλθόνταςelthontashaving comeG2064

συλλαβέσθαιsullabesthaito helpG4815

αὐτοῖς.autoisthem.G846

καὶkaiandG2532

ἦλθονēlthonthey cameG2064

καὶkaiandG2532

ἔπλησανeplēsanfilledG4130

ἀμφότεραamphoterabothG297

τὰtatheG3588

πλοῖαploiaboatsG4143

ὥστεhōsteso thatG5620

βυθίζεσθαιbuthizesthai[were] sinkingG1036

αὐτά.¶autathey.G846

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Luke 5:7

Galatians 6:2
Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Philippians 4:3
And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.
Acts 11:25
Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:
Romans 16:2-4
That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also. Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
Exodus 23:5
If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, and wouldest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him.
Proverbs 18:24
A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

that they should.
Ex 23:5; Pr 18:24; Ac 11:25; Ro 16:2-4; Ga 6:2; Php 4:3

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

Luke 5:6
And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.
Luke 5:7
And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.
Luke 5:8
When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.

Read all of Luke 5

Luke 5:7 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	E hicieron señas á los compañeros que estaban en el otro barco, que viniesen á ayudarles; y vinieron, y llenaron ambos barcos, de tal manera que se anegaban.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Et ils firent signe à leurs compagnons qui étaient dans l’autre bateau de venir les aider; et ils vinrent et remplirent les deux bateaux, de sorte qu’ils enfonçaient.
German Elberfelder 1871	Und sie winkten ihren Genossen in dem anderen Schiffe, daß sie kämen und ihnen hälfen; und sie kamen, und sie füllten beide Schiffe, so daß sie sanken.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Et annuerunt sociis, qui erant in alia navi, ut venirent, et adjuvarent eos. Et venerunt, et impleverunt ambas naviculas, ita ut pene mergerentur.