2 And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.
2 He saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets.
2 and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets.
2 He noticed two boats tied up. The fishermen had just left them and were out scrubbing their nets.
2 and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets.
2 He noticed two empty boats at the water's edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 5:2
Commentary on Luke 5:1-11
(Read Luke 5:1-11)
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.