be idle. Neither in Peter's proposal, nor in tlie simple frank consent of his companions, can I detect a jot of proof that any- thing wrong was done. Idleness does Christians far more in- jury than work. Among tbe Jews every man, whatever his rank or position might be, was required to learn a worldly call- ing.
Chrysostom remarks, " Since neither Christ was with them continually, nor was the Spirit yet given, nor they at that time entrusted with anything, having nothing to do, they went after their trade."
Augustine observes, " The Apostles were not forbidden to seek their necessary subsistence by the exercise of their craft, a lawful and permitted one, if at any time they had no other means of subsistence." He also remarks that they were no more to blame than St. Paul was, when he wrought with his own hands as a tent-maker, (xlcts xviii. 3.)
Calvin remarks, " Peter had not yet been enjoined to appear in public, for the discharge of his oifice of teaching, but had only been reminded of his future calling (John xx, 21 — 23), that he and others might understand that they had not in vain been chosen from the beginning. Meanwhile, they were to do what they were accustomed to do, and what belonged to men in pri- vate life."
Ferus remarks that a lawful business is not sinful. If Mat- thew had gone back to a publican's life it would have been a very different thing from Peter going to fish.
Stier remarks that this going to fish was only carrying out our Lord's words. " But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip : and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one." (Luke xxii. 36.)
The expression " a boat " should have been translated " the boat." Does not the use of the article show that this was that well-known boat, which our Lord and His disciples had always used, when they went on the lake ?
In the fact that " they caught nothing that night," there is nothing that would surprise a fisherman. Of all callings by which men earn their living none is more uncertain than that of a fisherman. (Luke v. 4.) " Night " is the time when most fish are caught, as all who are familiar with fishing know. That there was probably a deep typical meaning in all this, I shall hope to show when I reach the end of the passage. I think it better to reserve all remarks upon that point, until I can present them to the reader in one continuous form.— For the present, both here and throughout the passage, I shall simply comment on the facts as facts.
Burgon remarks, " One thing is certain, and the circumstance is full of interest. It must have been their necessities which