For children ages 3 to 6

Luke 5

Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)

2 min read · Updated August 29, 2026
By Jasper & Review team
Bible
By Jasper & Review team

The Explanation

The sun was up. The lake was blue and big. Simon was tired. He had fished all night. No fish. Not one. His net was empty. He sat by the water, washing his net.

Then Jesus came. Many people followed Him. Jesus stepped into Simon's boat. He sat down. He told stories about God, right there on the water. Everyone listened. It was quiet, and the waves went splash, splash.

When Jesus finished talking, He looked at Simon. "Go out deep," He said. "Put your net down." Simon was tired. His arms hurt from fishing all night. But he said, "Okay. Because you say so."

He let the net down into the water.

What Does This Mean?

And then, so many fish came! The net was full. So full it started to tear. Simon called his friends. "Come help! Quick!" Both boats filled up with fish. So many, the boats almost sank.

Simon looked at all the fish. He looked at Jesus. He was not just happy. He was amazed. He knelt down in the boat. "Lord," he said, "I am not good enough for you." He felt small next to Jesus.

But Jesus was not angry. He said, "Don't be afraid." "Come with me now. You will help me find people, like you catch fish."

The Common Thread

Simon worked all night and caught nothing. Then Jesus spoke one word, and the net was full. Jesus can do what no one else can do. He knows where the fish are. He knows everything.

Later, a sick man could not walk. His friends carried him to Jesus on a mat. Jesus said, "Your sins are forgiven. Get up and walk." The man stood up! He walked home, so happy.

Jesus does not just fill nets with fish. He makes broken people well again. He is God's own Son. He helps everyone who comes to Him.

For You

Simon left his boat, his nets, everything. He followed Jesus instead.

You do not have a boat. But you can still say yes to Jesus. When He says "come," you can go with Him. Even when you are small. Even when you are scared.

Jesus is not far away in the sky. He gets into your boat too. He wants to sit close to you, and talk to you.

Talk About It

What do you think Simon felt when the net was so full of fish?

Have you ever been scared, like Simon was? What did Jesus say to him?

Praying Together

Dear Jesus, Thank you for the fish, and the boat, and Simon. Thank you that you can do big things. Come sit close to me too. I want to go with you. Amen.

Share this Bible story

For other parents or teachers who might find this helpful.

WhatsApp Email Facebook X / Twitter

Questions about Luke 5

Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.

What is Luke 5 about?
The sun was up. The lake was blue and big. Simon was tired. He had fished all night. No fish. Not one. His net was empty. He sat by the water, washing his net.
What does Luke 5 say?
When Jesus finished talking, He looked at Simon. "Go out deep," He said. "Put your net down." Simon was tired. His arms hurt from fishing all night. But he said, "Okay. Because you say so."
What does Luke 5 teach us about God?
Simon looked at all the fish. He looked at Jesus. He was not just happy. He was amazed. He knelt down in the boat. "Lord," he said, "I am not good enough for you." He felt small next to Jesus.
What can toddlers learn from Luke 5?
Simon worked all night and caught nothing. Then Jesus spoke one word, and the net was full. Jesus can do what no one else can do. He knows where the fish are. He knows everything.
Why is Luke 5 an important Bible story?
Jesus does not just fill nets with fish. He makes broken people well again. He is God's own Son. He helps everyone who comes to Him.

What others discovered

Insight Editorial on verse 12

Full of leprosy," Luke says. Not a spot, not early signs. Everything about him screamed unclean, keep away. Yet he doesn't ask, "Can you?" He asks, "Lord, if you want to, I can be made clean."

That's the harder question, isn't it. Not whether God is able, but whether He wants you close. Watch what Jesus does next.

— Faith.Network Editorial
Insight Editorial on verse 5

Master, we worked all night and caught nothing, but at your word I will let down the net." Peter was the fisherman. He knew the lake, knew the hours, knew that night was over. And still he lowered the net one more time, not because it made sense, but because of who was asking. What has He asked of you that your experience says is pointless?

— Faith.Network Editorial
Insight Editorial on verse 28

Levi was sitting at the tax booth, the seat that made him rich and hated. Then, "He left everything, and rose up and followed him." Notice what came next: he threw a feast in his house and filled it with his old crowd. Leaving everything didn't mean leaving everyone. What he abandoned was the booth, not the people. What's your booth?

— Faith.Network Editorial
Insight Editorial on verse 34

They came asking about fasting schedules. Jesus answered with a wedding: "Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them?" The real question was never how often to go hungry, but who is standing in the room. There is a time to weep, and he says so plainly. But not now. Can you let yourself be glad that he is here?

— Faith.Network Editorial

Looking for something for slightly older children?

We also have dedicated versions for elementary age (7-12) and teens (12 and up).

Open in the Children's Bible tool

For parents and teachers: Written especially to be read aloud to children ages 3 to 6. Use it as a starting point for a conversation with your child, not as the only source. This explanation is generated automatically by language models. While we strive for theological soundness, the software can make mistakes.

© 2026 Faith.Network. All rights reserved.

Faith.network is a ministry of Faith.network · KvK 84972599 · connect@faith.network