And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,
And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.
And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.
Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.
And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.
And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.
When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.
For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:
And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.
And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.
And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him.
And he charged him to tell no man: but go, and shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities.
And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.
And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them.
And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him.
And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus.
And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.
And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?
But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts?
Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk?
But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.
And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.
And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day.
And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me.
And he left all, rose up, and followed him.
And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them.
But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?
And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.
I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink?
And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?
But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.
And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old.
And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish.
But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved.
No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.
Luke 5 is a pivotal chapter in Jesus' Galilean ministry, showcasing His authority and calling people to radical discipleship. Following demonstrations of His power over demons, disease, and teaching (Luke 4:31-44), Jesus begins to draw a line between those who follow Him and those who cling to tradition. This chapter emphasizes faith, repentance, and the revolutionary nature of His message, setting the stage for understanding discipleship and the kingdom of God.
The Miraculous Catch and the Call to Discipleship (Luke 5:1-11)
The chapter opens with Jesus teaching by the Sea of Galilee, also known as Lake Gennesaret, with crowds pressing in to hear Him (Luke 5:1-3). To better address the crowd, Jesus uses Simon Peter's fishing boat as a platform, asking him to push it out a little from the shore. After teaching, Jesus gives Peter, a seasoned fisherman, seemingly improbable instructions: "Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch" (Luke 5:4).
Peter's initial response reveals his skepticism. He and his partners, James and John, had toiled all night without success. Nighttime fishing near the shore was the common practice for a major catch on the Sea of Galilee. Peter essentially says, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets" (Luke 5:5). Peter's eventual obedience, despite his doubts, highlights the importance of trusting Jesus even when His instructions defy our logic or experience.
The result is astounding. The nets become so full that they begin to tear (Luke 5:6). The catch is so massive that two boats are in danger of sinking (Luke 5:7). This miraculous event deeply affects Peter. Overwhelmed by Jesus' power and holiness, Peter recognizes his own sinfulness and exclaims, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" (Luke 5:8). Peter's reaction illustrates that encountering the holiness of God often exposes our own imperfections and need for grace.
Jesus reassures Peter, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will be catching people" (Luke 5:10). This marks a turning point in Peter's life. He, along with James and John, leave everything behind and follow Jesus (Luke 5:11). This call to discipleship is a call to a new vocation: from catching fish for a living to "fishing" for people, inviting them to become followers of Christ. God's blessings, whether physical or spiritual, are not meant for our benefit alone, but to equip us to bless others.
Cleansing the Leper (Luke 5:12-16)
Next, Luke presents a story of healing that challenged societal and religious norms. Jesus encounters a man covered in leprosy, a condition that required separation from others under Mosaic Law. The man, recognizing Jesus' power, pleads, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean" (Luke 5:12). He acknowledges Jesus's authority but questions His willingness to act.
Jesus responds with compassion and power: "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" And immediately the leprosy left him (Luke 5:13). By touching the man, Jesus defies the taboo surrounding leprosy. Cleansing, not contamination, flows from Jesus. He then instructs the man to show himself to the priest and offer the prescribed sacrifice, fulfilling the requirements of the law (Luke 5:14). Despite Jesus' instruction to remain quiet, news about Him spreads, and crowds flock to Him for healing (Luke 5:15). In response, Jesus often withdraws to deserted places and prays, demonstrating His dependence on the Father (Luke 5:16).
Healing the Paralytic and Forgiving Sins (Luke 5:17-26)
The healing of the paralytic further demonstrates Jesus' authority and challenges the religious leaders. As Jesus teaches, four men bring their paralyzed friend, seeking healing. Unable to reach Jesus through the crowd, they ingeniously lower him through a hole in the roof (Luke 5:19).
Seeing their faith, Jesus declares, "Friend, your sins are forgiven" (Luke 5:20). This statement provokes outrage among the scribes and Pharisees, who accuse Jesus of blasphemy, reasoning that only God can forgive sins (Luke 5:21). Jesus, aware of their thoughts, challenges them: "Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'?" (Luke 5:23).
To prove His authority to forgive sins, Jesus commands the paralytic, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home" (Luke 5:24). Immediately, the man rises, picks up his mat, and walks away, glorifying God (Luke 5:25). This miraculous healing validates Jesus' claim to forgive sins, demonstrating His divine authority. The crowd is filled with awe and praises God (Luke 5:26). Forgiveness takes priority over circumstances.
The Call of Levi and the Feast with Sinners (Luke 5:27-32)
Jesus continues to defy social norms by calling Levi, also known as Matthew, a tax collector, to follow Him (Luke 5:27). Tax collectors were despised by their fellow Jews for their collaboration with the Roman government and their often-dishonest practices. Yet, Jesus sees potential in Levi and simply says, "Follow me," and Levi immediately leaves everything and follows Him (Luke 5:28). Levi then hosts a large banquet for Jesus at his house, inviting other tax collectors and "sinners" to meet Him (Luke 5:29).
The Pharisees and scribes are indignant, questioning Jesus' disciples, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?" (Luke 5:30). Jesus responds, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance" (Luke 5:31-32). This statement reveals the heart of Jesus' mission: to seek and save the lost, extending grace and forgiveness to those who need it most.
The Question of Fasting (Luke 5:33-39)
The chapter concludes with a discussion about fasting. Some observe that John the Baptist's disciples and the Pharisees fast regularly, while Jesus' disciples do not (Luke 5:33). Jesus explains that there is a time for fasting, but it is not appropriate during a time of celebration. He compares Himself to a bridegroom, and His followers to wedding guests: "Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; in those days they will fast" (Luke 5:34-35).
Jesus then uses two parables to illustrate the incompatibility of the old and the new: "No one tears a piece out of a new garment to patch an old one. Otherwise, they will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old. And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins" (Luke 5:36-38).
These parables highlight the radical nature of Jesus' message and the new covenant He is establishing. The old religious system, with its rigid rules and traditions, cannot contain the new wine of grace and forgiveness. Jesus' ministry represents a fresh start, a new way of relating to God based on faith and repentance, not on legalistic observance. The new covenant, established on better promises, requires a new approach. The scribes and Pharisees wanted their old ways to stay the same, but no one who truly welcomes Jesus and His teaching would say, "The old is better" (Luke 5:39).
And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,
And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.
And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.
Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.
And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.
And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.
When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.
For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:
And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.
And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.
And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him.
And he charged him to tell no man: but go, and shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities.
And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.
And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them.
And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him.
And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus.
And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.
And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?
But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts?
Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk?
But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.
And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.
And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day.
And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me.
And he left all, rose up, and followed him.
And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them.
But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?
And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.
I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink?
And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?
But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.
And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old.
And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish.
But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved.
No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.
Luke 5 is a pivotal chapter in Jesus' Galilean ministry, showcasing His authority and calling people to radical discipleship. Following demonstrations of His power over demons, disease, and teaching (Luke 4:31-44), Jesus begins to draw a line between those who follow Him and those who cling to tradition. This chapter emphasizes faith, repentance, and the revolutionary nature of His message, setting the stage for understanding discipleship and the kingdom of God.
The Miraculous Catch and the Call to Discipleship (Luke 5:1-11)
The chapter opens with Jesus teaching by the Sea of Galilee, also known as Lake Gennesaret, with crowds pressing in to hear Him (Luke 5:1-3). To better address the crowd, Jesus uses Simon Peter's fishing boat as a platform, asking him to push it out a little from the shore. After teaching, Jesus gives Peter, a seasoned fisherman, seemingly improbable instructions: "Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch" (Luke 5:4).
Peter's initial response reveals his skepticism. He and his partners, James and John, had toiled all night without success. Nighttime fishing near the shore was the common practice for a major catch on the Sea of Galilee. Peter essentially says, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets" (Luke 5:5). Peter's eventual obedience, despite his doubts, highlights the importance of trusting Jesus even when His instructions defy our logic or experience.
The result is astounding. The nets become so full that they begin to tear (Luke 5:6). The catch is so massive that two boats are in danger of sinking (Luke 5:7). This miraculous event deeply affects Peter. Overwhelmed by Jesus' power and holiness, Peter recognizes his own sinfulness and exclaims, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" (Luke 5:8). Peter's reaction illustrates that encountering the holiness of God often exposes our own imperfections and need for grace.
Jesus reassures Peter, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will be catching people" (Luke 5:10). This marks a turning point in Peter's life. He, along with James and John, leave everything behind and follow Jesus (Luke 5:11). This call to discipleship is a call to a new vocation: from catching fish for a living to "fishing" for people, inviting them to become followers of Christ. God's blessings, whether physical or spiritual, are not meant for our benefit alone, but to equip us to bless others.
Cleansing the Leper (Luke 5:12-16)
Next, Luke presents a story of healing that challenged societal and religious norms. Jesus encounters a man covered in leprosy, a condition that required separation from others under Mosaic Law. The man, recognizing Jesus' power, pleads, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean" (Luke 5:12). He acknowledges Jesus's authority but questions His willingness to act.
Jesus responds with compassion and power: "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" And immediately the leprosy left him (Luke 5:13). By touching the man, Jesus defies the taboo surrounding leprosy. Cleansing, not contamination, flows from Jesus. He then instructs the man to show himself to the priest and offer the prescribed sacrifice, fulfilling the requirements of the law (Luke 5:14). Despite Jesus' instruction to remain quiet, news about Him spreads, and crowds flock to Him for healing (Luke 5:15). In response, Jesus often withdraws to deserted places and prays, demonstrating His dependence on the Father (Luke 5:16).
Healing the Paralytic and Forgiving Sins (Luke 5:17-26)
The healing of the paralytic further demonstrates Jesus' authority and challenges the religious leaders. As Jesus teaches, four men bring their paralyzed friend, seeking healing. Unable to reach Jesus through the crowd, they ingeniously lower him through a hole in the roof (Luke 5:19).
Seeing their faith, Jesus declares, "Friend, your sins are forgiven" (Luke 5:20). This statement provokes outrage among the scribes and Pharisees, who accuse Jesus of blasphemy, reasoning that only God can forgive sins (Luke 5:21). Jesus, aware of their thoughts, challenges them: "Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'?" (Luke 5:23).
To prove His authority to forgive sins, Jesus commands the paralytic, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home" (Luke 5:24). Immediately, the man rises, picks up his mat, and walks away, glorifying God (Luke 5:25). This miraculous healing validates Jesus' claim to forgive sins, demonstrating His divine authority. The crowd is filled with awe and praises God (Luke 5:26). Forgiveness takes priority over circumstances.
The Call of Levi and the Feast with Sinners (Luke 5:27-32)
Jesus continues to defy social norms by calling Levi, also known as Matthew, a tax collector, to follow Him (Luke 5:27). Tax collectors were despised by their fellow Jews for their collaboration with the Roman government and their often-dishonest practices. Yet, Jesus sees potential in Levi and simply says, "Follow me," and Levi immediately leaves everything and follows Him (Luke 5:28). Levi then hosts a large banquet for Jesus at his house, inviting other tax collectors and "sinners" to meet Him (Luke 5:29).
The Pharisees and scribes are indignant, questioning Jesus' disciples, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?" (Luke 5:30). Jesus responds, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance" (Luke 5:31-32). This statement reveals the heart of Jesus' mission: to seek and save the lost, extending grace and forgiveness to those who need it most.
The Question of Fasting (Luke 5:33-39)
The chapter concludes with a discussion about fasting. Some observe that John the Baptist's disciples and the Pharisees fast regularly, while Jesus' disciples do not (Luke 5:33). Jesus explains that there is a time for fasting, but it is not appropriate during a time of celebration. He compares Himself to a bridegroom, and His followers to wedding guests: "Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; in those days they will fast" (Luke 5:34-35).
Jesus then uses two parables to illustrate the incompatibility of the old and the new: "No one tears a piece out of a new garment to patch an old one. Otherwise, they will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old. And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins" (Luke 5:36-38).
These parables highlight the radical nature of Jesus' message and the new covenant He is establishing. The old religious system, with its rigid rules and traditions, cannot contain the new wine of grace and forgiveness. Jesus' ministry represents a fresh start, a new way of relating to God based on faith and repentance, not on legalistic observance. The new covenant, established on better promises, requires a new approach. The scribes and Pharisees wanted their old ways to stay the same, but no one who truly welcomes Jesus and His teaching would say, "The old is better" (Luke 5:39).