Peter had seen Jesus perform wonderful miracles, but none made so strong an impression upon his mind as this miraculous draught of fish, after a night of disappointment. The unbelief and discouragement that had been oppressing the disciples through the long, weary night, now gave way to awe and amazement. Peter was thrilled with a sense of the divine power of his Master. He felt ashamed of his sinful unbelief. He knew that he was in the presence of the Son of God, and felt unworthy to be in such companionship. He impulsively flung himself at the feet of Jesus, crying, “Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” But even as he spoke, he was clinging to the feet of Jesus, and would not have been willing for the Saviour to take him at his word, even if he had attempted to do so. {2SP 184.3}

Peter havde set, at Jesus gjorde store undergerninger; men ingen af dem havde gjort så dybt indtryk på ham som denne underfulde fiskefangst, efter at de havde arbejdet forgæves hele natten. Den vantro (185) og modløshed, som havde plaget disciplene hele den lange, kedelige nat, veg nu bort for ærefrygt og forundring. Peter havde en dyb følelse af sin Mesters guddommelige kraft. Han skammede sig over sin syndige vantro. Han vidste, at han stod for Guds Søn, og han følte sig uværdig til at være i et sådant selskab. Han kastede sig ned for Jesu fødder råbte: "Gå bort fra mig herre, thi jeg er en syndig mand!" (8.vers) Men på samme tid, som han talte således, klyngede han sig til Jesu fødder og var ikke villig til at Frelseren måtte tage ham på hans ord, selv om han ville have gjort det.