5:10a

his partners James and John, the sons of Zebedee: This is the first time that Luke specifically mentioned the names of some of Simon’s partners. (James and John were among the “partners” mentioned in 5:7.) He told us three things about them: their names, the name of their father, and their relationship to Simon (see the note below on his partners).

As you translate this verse, you will need to think about these questions:

(a) How are new characters introduced in a way that is natural in your language?

(b) What is the most natural order in your language for this information?

Another way to translate this part of the verse is:

Simon had two partners whose names were James and John. Their father was Zebedee. They too were amazed at what had happened.

his partners: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as partners indicates that James and John worked together with Simon as fishermen. It may indicate even more specifically that they were business partners. James and John may have owned the fishing business along with Simon.

This Greek word is different from the word that was translated as “partners” in 5:7a. However, the two words have very similar meanings. You can use the same word in your language for both Greek words. Or you could use a more specific word here that means “business partners.”

the sons of Zebedee: James and John were brothers, and Zebedee was their father.

General Comment on 5:8a–10a

Simon’s reaction in 5:8 was based on the miraculous catch of fish described in 5:6–7. The feelings behind his reaction are then explained in 5:9. In some languages, it may be a more natural order to first give Simon’s feelings, and then the reaction that resulted from his feelings. If this is true in your language, you might consider reordering these verses. For example:

8aWhen Simon Peter saw what had happened, 9he was astonished. 8bHe fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9All the men with Simon, 10aincluding James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were Simon’s partners, 9were likewise astonished.

5:10b–c

From now on: Other ways to translate the phrase From now on are:

starting from this time
-or-
from this day forward

you will catch men: The clause you will catch men is a figure of speech. It relates the ideas of fishing and “catching men.” Jesus was saying that Peter would leave his normal work of fishing. He would start bringing people into God’s kingdom.

Do not imply that Peter was going to “catch men” to do forced labor. Do not imply that he was going to catch criminals.

You may need to make the connection to fishing explicit in your translation. For example:

⌊You used to catch fish.⌋ From now on you will catch men.

If possible, use a word for catch in your language that could apply to both men and fish. In many languages the word normally used for catching fish will have a negative connotation such as “kill” or “capture.” This will not be appropriate for Jesus’ meaning in connection with men. In those languages you may need to say something like:

you will gather people ⌊to follow me⌋ ⌊instead of gathering fish to sell⌋
-or-
you will bring in people instead of fish (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
you will be bringing people to me ⌊instead of fishing for fish⌋

you: The pronoun you is singular. Jesus was talking specifically to Simon. However, other men who also wanted to be Jesus’ disciples heard these words.

will catch: The verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as will catch is literally “will be catching” in Greek. Jesus is using the future tense to imply a gentle command. Jesus told Simon what Simon would do. He implied that this is what he should or must do. Use a form in your language that implies a similar meaning.

The verb form used in Greek implies doing something repeatedly or habitually. It implies that catching men is something that Simon would do many times. This idea is already present in the phrase “From now on.” Some ways to make this meaning clear in English are:

you will be catching men (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
your occupation will be to catch men

men: In this context the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as men means people. It does not refer only to males. There is a contrast here between people and fish. Be sure to make this contrast clear in your translation. Another way to translate this is:

you will catch people instead of fish (God’s Word)

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