5:7a

So: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as So introduces what the fishermen did next. Because 5:7a describes the result of the miracle that had just happened, some English versions, including the Berean Standard Bible, translate this Greek word as “so.” Because this is also what happened next, other versions, such as the Contemporary English Version, translate this word as “Then.” Other versions do not translate this word. Connect 5:7a to 5:6 in a way that is natural in your language.

they signaled: The words they signaled means that Simon and the men in the boat with him motioned to men who were in another boat. They probably motioned by waving their arms for those in the other boat to come and help them. The fishermen in the other boat were probably too far away to hear their shouting.

Some other ways to translate this are:

they motioned with their arms
-or-
they waved their arms/hands
-or-
they called by waving their arms

partners: The word partners here refers to James and John. They were in the other boat, and they were Simon’s companions and fellow fishermen. These men may have been Simon’s business partners, or they may have been merely friends with the same job.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

fellow fisherman
-or-
companions

5:7b–c

they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink is literally “they came and filled both boats so as to be sinking them.”

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

Their partners came and filled both boats until the boats nearly sank. (God’s Word)
-or-
A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
They came and filled both the boats to sinking point. (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

5:7b

they came and filled both boats: The subject of the verb came is different from the subject of the verb filled. The subject of came refers to the fishermen in the second boat. The subject of filled refers to the fishermen working in both boats.

You may need to make the change of subject clear. For example:

The men came, and together they filled the two boats (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
they came and they all filled both boats

5:7c

they began to sink: The clause they began to sink means that the boats started to fill with water. This happened because the fishermen put so many fish in the boats. Luke 5:11a shows that the boats did not completely sink.

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