John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 7. And they beckoned unto their partners , etc.] Zebedee, and his two sons, James and John; ( Luke 5:10) who were at some distance from them, probably lay at anchor near the shore, not having put out to sea when the other vessel did, and so were not within call; but they were obliged to make signs to them, and beckon with their hands to come to them: which were in the other ship ; mentioned in ( Luke 5:2) which lay by the shore: that they should come and help them ; take up the net, and take the fish out of it: and they came and filled both the ships ; with the fishes they took out of the net, as full as they could hold, and which they were not well able to carry: so that they began to sink ; or were almost immersed, as Beza's ancient copy, and another manuscript, with the Syriac, Arabic, and Persic versions read; the vessels were so heavy laden, with the vast quantity of fish that was taken, that they were just ready to sink with their burden.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-11 - When Christ had done preaching, he told Peter to apply to the busines of his calling. Time spent on week days in public exercises of religion, need be but little hinderance in time, and may be grea 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 Chris told them to let down their nets again. We must not abruptly quit ou callings because we have not the success in them we desire. We ar 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, ow ourselves to be sinful men, therefore Jesus Christ might justly depar from us. But we must beseech him that he would not depart; for woe unt 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 an 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.
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 CONJ κατενευσαν 2656 5656 V-AAI-3P τοις 3588 T-DPM μετοχοις 3353 A-DPM τοις 3588 T-DPM εν 1722 PREP τω 3588 T-DSN ετερω 2087 A-DSN πλοιω 4143 N-DSN του 3588 T-GSM ελθοντας 2064 5631 V-2AAP-APM συλλαβεσθαι 4815 5641 V-2AMN αυτοις 846 P-DPM και 2532 CONJ ηλθον 2064 5627 V-2AAI-3P και 2532 CONJ επλησαν 4130 5656 V-AAI-3P αμφοτερα 297 A-APN τα 3588 T-APN πλοια 4143 N-APN ωστε 5620 CONJ βυθιζεσθαι 1036 5745 V-PPN αυτα 846 P-NPN
Vincent's NT Word Studies
7. They beckoned (kateneusan). The word originally means to nod assent, and so, generally, to make a sign. They made signs because of the distance of the other boat; hardly, as has been suggested, because they were too much amazed to speak.Help (sullabesqai). Lit., take hold with. Compare Philip. iv. 3. Began to sink (buqizwsqai). Only here and 1 Tim. vi. 9, of drowning men in destruction. From buqov, the depth. Wyc., thy were almost drenched.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
5:7 {They beckoned} (kateneusan). Possibly they were too far away for a call to be understood. Simon alone had been ordered to put out into the deep. So they used signs. {Unto their partners} (tois metecois). this word metocos, from metecw, to have with, means participation with one in common blessings (#Heb 3:1,14; 6:4; 12:8). While koinwnos (verse #10 here of James and John also) has the notion of personal fellowship, partnership. Both terms are here employed of the two pairs of brothers who have a business company under Simon's lead. {Help them} (sullabesqai). Second aorist middle infinitive. Take hold together with and so to help. Paul uses it in #Php 4:3. It is an old word that was sometimes employed for seizing a prisoner (#Lu 22:54) and for conception (_con-capio_) by a woman (#Lu 1:24). {So that they began to sink} (hwste buqizesqai auta). Consecutive use of hwste and the infinitive (present tense, inchoative use, beginning to sink). An old verb from buqos. In the N.T. only here and #1Ti 6:9.
