Bible Strands
Luke 5:8
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees. “Go away from me, Lord,” he said, “for I am a sinful man.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Simon Peter addresses Jesus immediately after the nets broke and both boats began to sink from the catch. He falls at Jesus’ knees and commands Him to depart, citing his own sinfulness.
The words — προσέπεσεν (prosepesen) literally means “fell at,” describing Peter’s physical prostration at Jesus’ knees. Ἰδὼν (Idōn) translates to “having seen,” marking the moment of sight as the direct trigger for his response.
The thread — This reaction parallels Isaiah 6:5, where the prophet confesses uncleanness upon encountering divine holiness. It also echoes Revelation 1:17, where a vision of glory produces a prostrate, death-like posture before a comforting touch.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that direct encounter with divine power exposes human moral deficiency. It requires the reader to acknowledge that awe precedes any claim of readiness for service.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 6:5 Then I said: “Woe is me, for I am ruined, because I am a man of unclean lips dwelling among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of Hosts.”
- Job 42:5 My ears had heard of You, but now my eyes have seen You.
- Revelation 1:17 When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. But He placed His right hand on me and said, “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last,
- Judges 13:22 “We are going to die,” he said to his wife, “for we have seen God!”
- Job 40:4 “Behold, I am insignificant. How can I reply to You? I place my hand over my mouth.
- Exodus 20:19 “Speak to us yourself and we will listen,” they said to Moses. “But do not let God speak to us, or we will die.”
- Matthew 2:11 On coming to the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.
- Matthew 8:8 The centurion answered, “Lord, I am not worthy to have You come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.
- 1 Samuel 6:20 The men of Beth-shemesh asked, “Who can stand in the presence of the LORD, this holy God? To whom should the ark go up from here?”
- Matthew 17:6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown in terror.