Luke 5:11

King James Version (KJV)

And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

They forsook all, and followed him - God expects this from every person, and especially from those in whose hearts, or in whose behalf, he has wrought a miracle of grace or of providence. Jesus intended to call Peter, James, and John, to become his disciples; and that they might see the propriety and importance of the call, he: -

2dly. He Works a Miracle before their eyes, that they might see and be convinced of his power.

3dly. He Calls them to go forth with this doctrine, and through this power, that they might teach the ignorant, and be successful in their work.

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

Forsook all - It was not “much” that they left - a couple of small boats and their nets; but it was all they had, even all their living. But this showed their love of Jesus, and their willingness to deny themselves, as “really” as if they had forsaken palaces and gold. All that Jesus asks is that we should leave “all” we have for him; that we should love him “more” than we do whatever friends or property we may possess, and be willing to give them all up when he requires it.

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

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 the word and prayer! Though they had taken nothing, yet Christ told them to let down their nets again. We must not abruptly quit our callings because we have not the success in them we desire. We are likely to speed well, when we follow the guidance of Christ's word. The draught of fishes was by a miracle. We must all, like Peter, own ourselves to be sinful men, therefore Jesus Christ might justly depart from us. But we must beseech him that he would not depart; for woe unto us if the Saviour depart from sinners! Rather let us entreat him to come and dwell in our hearts by faith, that he may transform and cleanse them. These fishermen forsook all, and followed Jesus, when their calling prospered. When riches increase, and we are tempted to set our hearts upon them, then to quit them for Christ is thankworthy.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

11. They forsook all. Here were the four partners, in possession of the largest catch of fish they had ever brought to shore. At the moment of their greatest material success they abandoned their business (see DA 273). Even in view of the higher significance of the miracle it must have taken a real measure of faith to leave their chosen occupation for an uncertain livelihood as followers of an itinerant teacher who, up to this time, had apparently had small success (DA 245). But in the provision of the abundance of fish, Jesus gave evidence of His power to provide for the needs of His followers, and in humble faith they believed.

On the part of the disciples there was not the least hesitancy. The decision to dissolve their successful partnership as fishermen for a higher partnership with Jesus as fishers of men was made instantly and intelligently. They needed no time to think things over, no time to provide for the needs of their families (cf. Matt. 8:19-22). They had launched out into the deep as ordinary fishermen; when they returned to shore they launched out by faith into the “deep” to which Christ now called them, to fish for men. All night long they had sought in vain to find that with which they proposed to sustain their lives; now, for Christ’s sake, they were willing to lose all that life had to offer, and in so doing entered upon a richer, more abundant life (see Matt. 10:39). They took up the cross of service and followed in the footsteps of Jesus (see on Mark 3:14).

Like Paul a few years later, they were ready to write off as loss all their earthly possessions, for they considered “the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus” of infinitely greater value. Those things that had formerly seemed of value now appeared worthless. Henceforth their lot was to learn of Jesus, to fellowship with Him in His sufferings, and to share with all men a knowledge of the power of His resurrection (see Phil. 3:8-10). Having found the Pearl of great price, they disposed of all their earthly possessions and interests and invested all their physical and intellectual capital in the cause of the kingdom of heaven (see Matt. 13:45, 46).

Followed him. Heretofore at least three of the fourâ€”Peter, Andrew, and Johnâ€”had intermittently accompanied Jesus. The call they had received at the Jordan two autumns before was a call to recognize Jesus as the Messiah, the Lamb of God, who had come to take away the sin of the world (see on John 1:35-50). Now they were called to unite their life and fortune with His, not only as believers but as learners and workers. Prior to this none of the group had fully and permanently united with Jesus (DA 246). They had been part-time disciples, their interests divided between this life and the higher life. Henceforth their time and talents were to be devoted to full-time service. The four followed Jesus, not because they were too lazy to work with their hands for a living, or because their physical labors had not been successful, but because of their profound convictions. Like the others whom Christ called, they were active in their chosen occupation until summoned to forsake all and follow Him.

None of the four would have been considered by the learned men of the nation as having sufficient qualifications to become a teacher. They were humble and unlearned, but these very traits were pre-requisite to discipleship. The fact that they were not educated in the false views of the rabbis made it easier for them to learn the lessons necessary to make them skilled workmen in building the kingdom of heaven (see on Mark 3:15). Though at times they were slow to learn the lessons Jesus sought to teach them, they were sincerely devoted to Him. His love gradually transformed their hearts and minds, in proportion to the extent they individually yielded to Him. When they came forth from the period of training they were no longer uncultured and unlearned, but men of penetrating discernment and sound judgment. They were so much like Jesus, in fact, that others realized they had been with Him (see Acts 4:13).

Usefulness in the cause of God does not depend so much upon brilliant intellect as upon devotion to Christ and to the task at hand. To be sure, the influence of a person with great talents and superior intelligence will usually be felt in a wider circle, if these talents are consecrated to God (see COL 333). Yet God can dispense with these more easily than He can with a loving heart, a teachable mind, and willing hands. The all-important thing in service for God is that self be put aside and room be made for the working of the Holy Spirit upon the heart (see DA 250).

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Ellen G. White
The Desire of Ages, 244-51

This chapter is based on Matthew 4:18-22; Mark 1:16-20; Luke 5:1-11.

Day was breaking over the Sea of Galilee. The disciples, weary with a night of fruitless toil, were still in their fishing boats on the lake. Jesus had come to spend a quiet hour by the waterside. In the early morning He hoped for a little season of rest from the multitude that followed Him day after day. But soon the people began to gather about Him. Their numbers rapidly increased, so that He was pressed upon all sides. Meanwhile the disciples had come to land. In order to escape the pressure of the multitude, Jesus stepped into Peter's boat, and bade him pull out a little from the shore. Here Jesus could be better seen and heard by all, and from the boat He taught the multitude on the beach. DA 244.1

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Ellen G. White
The Desire of Ages, 810

The evening was pleasant, and Peter, who still had much of his old love for boats and fishing, proposed that they should go out upon the sea and cast their nets. In this plan all were ready to join; they were in need of food and clothing, which the proceeds of a successful night's fishing would supply. So they went out in their boat, but they caught nothing. All night they toiled, without success. Through the weary hours they talked of their absent Lord, and recalled the wonderful events they had witnessed in His ministry beside the sea. They questioned as to their own future, and grew sad at the prospect before them. DA 810.1

All the while a lone watcher upon the shore followed them with His eye, while He Himself was unseen. At length the morning dawned. The boat was but a little way from the shore, and the disciples saw a stranger standing upon the beach, who accosted them with the question, “Children, have ye any meat?” When they answered, “No,” “He said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.” DA 810.2

John recognized the stranger, and exclaimed to Peter, “It is the Lord.” Peter was so elated and so glad that in his eagerness he cast himself into the water and was soon standing by the side of his Master. The other disciples came in their boat, dragging the net with fishes. “As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.” DA 810.3

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Ellen G. White
The Upward Look, 288

Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. Luke 5:10. UL 288.1

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Cross References

they forsook