Luke 5:8 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Depart from me,— Peter's words on this occasion may be variously interpreted; for we may suppose that, conscious of his sinfulness, he was afraid to be in Christ's company, lest some infirmity or offence might have exposed him to more than ordinary chastisements. Compare Judges 6:22; Judges 13:22. Or, it being an opinion of the Jews, that the visits of the prophets were attended with chastisements from heaven, 1 Kings 17:18 he might be struck with a panic, when he observed this proof of Christ's power: or he may have said to his Master, depart, because he was not able to shew him the respect that he deserved, and was not worthy to be in his company. In this latter sense St. Peter's words were full of reverence and humility, being not unlike the centurion's speech so highly applauded by Jesus himself,—I am unworthy that thou shouldst come under my roof. It is so well known that it scarce needs observing, that the ancients thought it improper and unsafe, where it could be avoided, for good men to be in the same ship with persons of an infamous character; nor would the heathens sometimes permit the very images of their deities to be carried in a vessel with such. See the Inferences and Reflections.