The discourse ended, Jesus turned to Peter, and bade him launch out into the sea, and let down his net for a draught. But Peter was disheartened. All night he had taken nothing. During the lonely hours he had thought of the fate of John the Baptist, who was languishing alone in his dungeon. He had thought of the prospect before Jesus and His followers, of the ill success of the mission to Judea, and the malice of the priests and rabbis. Even his own occupation had failed him; and as he watched by the empty nets, the future had seemed dark with discouragement. "Master," he said, "we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at Thy word I will let down the net."

Da Jesus var holdt op med at tale, vendte han sig til Peter og bød ham lægge ud på søen og kaste sit garn ud til et dræt. Men Peter havde tabt modet. Han havde ikke fanget noget hele natten. I disse ensomme timer havde han tænkt på Johannes Døber, som vansmægtede alene i sit fangehul. Han havde tænkt på, hvilken fremtid der ventede Jesus og hans disciple, på det dårlige udfald af hans virksomhed i Judæa og på præsternes og rabbinernes ondskab. Om det så var hans egen gerning, så var den ikke lykkedes for ham, og da han så på sine tomme garn, forekom fremtiden ham mørk og nedslående. Han sagde: "Mester, vi har slidt hele natten og ingenting fået; men på dit ord vil jeg kaste garnene ud."