Paragraph 5:8–11
5:8a
Simon Peter: Here Luke also used Simon’s other name, Peter. This was a name that Jesus gave to him, as described in Luke 6:14 and John 1:42.
Using two names together may imply that one was a family name or father’s name. If this is true in your language, you may need to translate this as:
Simon, ⌊who was also called⌋ Peter
saw this: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as saw this refers to Simon Peter seeing the large number of fish in the nets. He understood that Jesus had done a miracle. He also understood that Jesus was the Lord.
The words saw this do not refer to the boat beginning to sink.
5:8b
he fell at Jesus’ knees: There are two ways to interpret the Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as he fell at Jesus’ knees:
(1) Peter bowed down in front of Jesus. When he did this, he was at the level of Jesus’ knees. For example:
he fell down at Jesus’ knees (NET Bible)
(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, Revised English Bible, NET Bible)
(2) Peter got down on his own knees in front of Jesus. For example:
he fell on his knees before Jesus (Good News Translation)
(Good News Translation, New Living Translation (2004), Contemporary English Version, God’s Word, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, New Century Version)
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) However, there is little practical difference between the two interpretations. If Simon fell at Jesus’ knees, he was probably kneeling himself.
In Jewish culture, a person bows down before another to show that person respect. Sometimes he bows down before another person to show that he is worshiping that person. Simon’s action was showing respect for Jesus. He may have been worshiping Jesus, but this is not clear.
fell: Here the word fell is used in a figurative sense. It means “lower oneself.” It does not mean that Simon Peter stumbled and fell.
5:8c–d
“Go away from me, Lord,” he said, “for I am a sinful man.”: Peter understood that men who do miracles do them through power that comes from God. God gives this power only to men who are holy, that is, pure and dedicated to him. So Peter understood that Jesus was holy. Peter felt unworthy and too sinful to be in the presence of such a holy man.
It may be necessary in some languages to make some of this information explicit. For example:
Lord, ⌊I know that you are holy.⌋ Go away from me. I am a sinful man!
5:8c
“Go away from me, Lord,”: In some languages, it will be more natural to begin this sentence with the word Lord. For example:
Lord, go away from me.
Go away from me: Grammatically, the words Go away from me are in the form of a command, but they function as a request. Simon felt unworthy and too sinful to be near Jesus. So he requested that Jesus go away from him. Be sure that the way you translate this phrase does not imply that Simon was rejecting Jesus or speaking disrespectfully to Jesus.
If the words Go away from me might be misunderstood here, you could say:
I am unworthy to be near you
-or-
Oh, Lord, please leave me (New Living Translation (2004))
Lord: In Greek, the word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Lord is a more important title than the word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as “Master” in 5:5a. People used both words as polite titles when they spoke to an elder or someone in authority. The Jews also used the title “Lord” to refer to God. When Simon saw the miracle of the catch of fish, he realized that Jesus had more authority than he had expressed by the term “Master.”
Your language may have different words to show respect. Use the word that shows greater respect here. Some ways to translate Lord are:
Chief
-or-
Master/Owner
-or-
Sovereign
In some languages it may be necessary to add a word such as “my” before such a term of address. For example:
⌊my⌋ Chief/Sovereign
See Lord, Meaning 3, in the Glossary for more information and translation suggestions.
5:8d
In Greek, 5:8d begins with the conjunction that means “because.” It introduces the reason why Simon felt unworthy and afraid to be near Jesus. Many English versions translate it that way. For example:
for I am a sinful man (NET Bible)
-or-
because I’m a sinful man (CSB)
Some English versions do not translate this conjunction. See the General Comment below for another way to connect 5:8c and 5:8d.
I am a sinful man: A sinful man is someone who habitually offends God. His acts, thoughts, and attitudes are not what God wants. God does not approve of them. A person can also be sinful by not doing what God wants him to do.
Some other ways to translate this are:
I am a sinner (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
I have broken God’s laws
See sin, sense C, in Key Biblical Terms for more information.
General Comment on 5:8c–d
In some languages, it may be more natural to change the order of 5:8c and 5:8d. For example:
Lord, 8dI am a sinful man, so 8cgo away from me!
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