Luke Chapter 5

Jesus Calls His First Disciples

(Matthew 4:18-22; Matthew 13:47-52; Mark 1:16-20; John 1:35-42)

1And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, 2And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. 3And 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. 4Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. 5And 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. 6And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. 7And 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. 8When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. 9For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: 10And 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. 11And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

The Leper's Prayer

(Leviticus 14:1-32; Matthew 8:1-4; Mark 1:40-45)

12And 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. 13And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him. 14And 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. 15But 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. 16And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.

Jesus Heals a Paralytic

(Matthew 9:1-8; Mark 2:1-12)

17And 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 Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them. 18And, 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. 19And 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. 20And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee. 21And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone? 22But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts? 23Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk? 24But 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. 25And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. 26And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day.

Jesus Calls Levi

(Matthew 9:9-13; Mark 2:13-17)

27And 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. 28And he left all, rose up, and followed him.

29And 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. 30But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners? 31And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. 32I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Jesus Questioned about Fasting

(Matthew 9:14-15; Mark 2:18-20)

33And 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? 34And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? 35But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.

The Patches and Wineskins

(Matthew 9:16-17; Mark 2:21-22)

36And 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. 37And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish. 38But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved. 39No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

The First Disciples
(Matthew 4:18–22; Mark 1:16–20; John 1:35–42)

1 Now it happened, while the multitude pressed on him and heard the word of God, that he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret. 2 He saw two boats standing by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them, and were washing their nets. 3 He entered into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep, and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 Simon answered him, “Master, we worked all night, and took nothing; but at your word I will let down the net.” 6 When they had done this, they caught a great multitude of fish, and their net was breaking. 7 They beckoned to their partners in the other boat, that they should come and help them. They came, and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. 8 But Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, Lord.” 9 For he was amazed, and all who were with him, at the catch of fish which they had caught; 10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid. From now on you will be catching people alive.” 11 When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything, and followed him.

The Leper’s Prayer
(Leviticus 14:1–32; Matthew 8:1–4; Mark 1:40–45)

12 It happened, while he was in one of the cities, behold, there was a man full of leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell on his face, and begged him, saying, “Lord, if you want to, you can make me clean.” 13 He stretched out his hand, and touched him, saying, “I want to. Be made clean.” Immediately the leprosy left him. 14 He commanded him to tell no one, “But go your way, and show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing according to what Moses commanded, for a testimony to them.” 15 But the report concerning him spread much more, and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities. 16 But he withdrew himself into the desert, and prayed.

Jesus Heals a Paralytic
(Matthew 9:1–8; Mark 2:1–12)

17 It happened on one of those days, that he was teaching; and there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every village of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. The power of the Lord was with him to heal them. 18 Behold, men brought a paralyzed man on a cot, and they sought to bring him in to lay before Jesus. 19 Not finding a way to bring him in because of the multitude, they went up to the housetop, and let him down through the tiles with his cot into the midst before Jesus. 20 Seeing their faith, he said to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” 21 The scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this that speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?” 22 But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, answered them, “Why are you reasoning so in your hearts? 23 Which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you;’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk?’ 24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” (he said to the paralyzed man), “I tell you, arise, and take up your cot, and go to your house.” 25 Immediately he rose up before them, and took up that which he was laying on, and departed to his house, glorifying God. 26 Amazement took hold on all, and they glorified God. They were filled with fear, saying, “We have seen strange things today.”

Jesus Calls Levi
(Matthew 9:9–13; Mark 2:13–17)

27 After these things he went out, and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the tax office, and said to him, “Follow me!” 28 He left everything, and rose up and followed him.

29 Levi made a great feast for him in his house. There was a great crowd of tax collectors and others who were reclining with them. 30 Their scribes and the Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?” 31 Jesus answered them, “Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick do. 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

Questions about Fasting
(Matthew 9:14–15; Mark 2:18–20)

33 They said to him, “Why do John’s disciples often fast and pray, likewise also the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink?” 34 He said to them, “Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast, while the bridegroom is with them? 35 But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them. Then they will fast in those days.”

The Patches and the Wineskins
(Matthew 9:16–17; Mark 2:21–22)

36 He also told a parable to them. “No one puts a piece from a new garment on an old garment, or else he will tear the new, and also the piece from the new will not match the old. 37 No one puts new wine into old wineskins, or else the new wine will burst the skins, and it will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed. 38 But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved. 39 No man having drunk old wine immediately desires new, for he says, ‘The old is better.’”

The First Disciples
(Matthew 4:18–22; Mark 1:16–20; John 1:35–42)

1 On one occasion, while Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret a with the crowd pressing in on Him to hear the word of God, 2 He saw two boats at the edge of the lake. The fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. 3 Jesus got into the boat belonging to Simon and asked him to put out a little from shore. And sitting down, He taught the people from the boat.

4 When Jesus had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.”

5 “Master,” Simon replied, “we have worked hard all night without catching anything. But because You say so, I will let down the nets.” 6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to tear. 7 So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.

8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees. “Go away from me, Lord,” he said, “for I am a sinful man.” 9 For he and his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were his partners James and John, the sons of Zebedee.

“Do not be afraid,” Jesus said to Simon. “From now on you will catch men.” 11 And when they had brought their boats ashore, they left everything and followed Him.

The Leper’s Prayer
(Leviticus 14:1–32; Matthew 8:1–4; Mark 1:40–45)

12 While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. b When he saw Jesus, he fell facedown and begged Him, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”

13 Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him.

14 “Do not tell anyone,” Jesus instructed him. “But go, show yourself to the priest and present the offering Moses prescribed for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” c

15 But the news about Jesus spread all the more, and great crowds came to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses. 16 Yet He frequently withdrew to the wilderness to pray.

Jesus Heals a Paralytic
(Matthew 9:1–8; Mark 2:1–12)

17 One day Jesus was teaching, and the Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. People had come from Jerusalem and from every village of Galilee and Judea, and the power of the Lord was present for Him to heal the sick.

18 Just then some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They tried to bring him inside to set him before Jesus, 19 but they could not find a way through the crowd. So they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.

20 When Jesus saw their faith, He said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”

21 But the scribes and Pharisees began thinking to themselves, “Who is this man who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

22 Knowing what they were thinking, Jesus replied, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? 23 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk?’ 24 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on the earth to forgive sins...” He said to the paralytic, “I tell you, get up, pick up your mat, and go home.”

25 And immediately the man stood up before them, took what he had been lying on, and went home glorifying God. 26 Everyone was taken with amazement and glorified God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.”

Jesus Calls Levi
(Matthew 9:9–13; Mark 2:13–17)

27 After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the tax booth. “Follow Me,” He told him, 28 and Levi got up, left everything, and followed Him.

29 Then Levi hosted a great banquet for Jesus at his house. A large crowd of tax collectors was there, along with others who were eating with them. 30 But the Pharisees and their scribes complained to Jesus’ disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”

31 Jesus answered, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

Questions about Fasting
(Matthew 9:14–15; Mark 2:18–20)

33 Then they said to Him, “John’s disciples and those of the Pharisees frequently fast and pray, but Yours keep on eating and drinking.”

34 Jesus replied, “Can you make the guests of the bridegroom fast while He is with them? 35 But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.”

The Patches and the Wineskins
(Matthew 9:16–17; Mark 2:21–22)

36 He also told them a parable: “No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment and sews it on an old one. If he does, he will tear the new garment as well, and the patch from the new will not match the old.

37 And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins, the wine will spill, and the wineskins will be ruined. 38 Instead, new wine is poured into new wineskins. 39 And no one after drinking old wine wants new, for he says, ‘The old is better.’ ”

Jesus Calls His First Disciples

(Matthew 4:18-22; Matthew 13:47-52; Mark 1:16-20; John 1:35-42)

1And it came to pass, in the multitude pressing on him to hear the word of God, that he was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, 2and he saw two boats standing beside the lake, and the fishers, having gone away from them, were washing the nets, 3and having entered into one of the boats, that was Simon's, he asked him to put back a little from the land, and having sat down, was teaching the multitudes out of the boat. 4And when he left off speaking, he said unto Simon, 'Put back to the deep, and let down your nets for a draught;' 5and Simon answering said to him, 'Master, through the whole night, having laboured, we have taken nothing, but at thy saying I will let down the net.' 6And having done this, they enclosed a great multitude of fishes, and their net was breaking, 7and they beckoned to the partners, who are in the other boat, having come, to help them; and they came, and filled both the boats, so that they were sinking. 8And Simon Peter having seen, fell down at the knees of Jesus, saying, 'Depart from me, because I am a sinful man, O lord;' 9for astonishment seized him, and all those with him, at the draught of the fishes that they took, 10and in like manner also James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon; and Jesus said unto Simon, 'Fear not, henceforth thou shalt be catching men;' 11and they, having brought the boats upon the land, having left all, did follow him.

The Leper's Prayer

(Leviticus 14:1-32; Matthew 8:1-4; Mark 1:40-45)

12And it came to pass, in his being in one of the cities, that lo, a man full of leprosy, and having seen Jesus, having fallen on his face, he besought him, saying, 'Sir, if thou mayest will, thou art able to cleanse me;' 13and having stretched forth his hand, he touched him, having said, 'I will; be thou cleansed;' and immediately the leprosy went away from him. 14And he charged him to tell no one, 'But, having gone away, shew thyself to the priest, and bring near for thy cleansing according as Moses directed, for a testimony to them;' 15but the more was the report going abroad concerning him, and great multitudes were coming together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities, 16and he was withdrawing himself in the desert places and was praying.

Jesus Heals a Paralytic

(Matthew 9:1-8; Mark 2:1-12)

17And it came to pass, on one of the days, that he was teaching, and there were sitting by Pharisees and teachers of the Law, who were come out of every village of Galilee, and Judea, and Jerusalem, and the power of the Lord was -- to heal them. 18And lo, men bearing upon a couch a man, who hath been struck with palsy, and they were seeking to bring him in, and to place before him, 19and not having found by what way they may bring him in because of the multitude, having gone up on the house-top, through the tiles they let him down, with the little couch, into the midst before Jesus, 20and he having seen their faith, said to him, 'Man, thy sins have been forgiven thee.' 21And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, 'Who is this that doth speak evil words? who is able to forgive sins, except God only?' 22And Jesus having known their reasonings, answering, said unto them, 'What reason ye in your hearts? 23which is easier -- to say, Thy sins have been forgiven thee? or to say, Arise, and walk? 24'And that ye may know that the Son of Man hath authority upon the earth to forgive sins -- (he said to the one struck with palsy) -- I say to thee, Arise, and having taken up thy little couch, be going on to thy house.' 25And presently having risen before them, having taken up that on which he was lying, he went away to his house, glorifying God, 26and astonishment took all, and they were glorifying God, and were filled with fear, saying -- 'We saw strange things to-day.'

Jesus Calls Levi

(Matthew 9:9-13; Mark 2:13-17)

27And after these things he went forth, and beheld a tax-gatherer, by name Levi, sitting at the tax-office, and said to him, 'Be following me;' 28and he, having left all, having arisen, did follow him.

29And Levi made a great entertainment to him in his house, and there was a great multitude of tax-gatherers and others who were with them reclining (at meat), 30and the scribes and the Pharisees among them were murmuring at his disciples, saying, 'Wherefore with tax-gatherers and sinners do ye eat and drink?' 31And Jesus answering said unto them, 'They who are well have no need of a physician, but they that are ill: 32I came not to call righteous men, but sinners, to reformation.'

Jesus Questioned about Fasting

(Matthew 9:14-15; Mark 2:18-20)

33And they said unto him, 'Wherefore do the disciples of John fast often, and make supplications -- in like manner also those of the Pharisees -- but thine do eat and drink?' 34And he said unto them, 'Are ye able to make the sons of the bride-chamber -- in the bridegroom being with them -- to fast? 35but days will come, and, when the bridegroom may be taken away from them, then they shall fast in those days.'

The Patches and Wineskins

(Matthew 9:16-17; Mark 2:21-22)

36And he spake also a simile unto them -- 'No one a patch of new clothing doth put on old clothing, and if otherwise, the new also doth make a rent, and with the old the patch doth not agree, that is from the new. 37'And no one doth put new wine into old skins, and if otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins, and itself will be poured out, and the skins will be destroyed; 38but new wine into new skins is to be put, and both are preserved together; 39and no one having drunk old wine, doth immediately wish new, for he saith, The old is better.'

Jesus Calls His First Disciples

¹ One morning, as Jesus stood teaching on the Sea of Galilee's shore, the crowds pressed in around Him, hungry to hear God's message of hope and transformation. ² He noticed two fishing boats pulled up on the beach. The exhausted fishermen had left them to wash their nets after a frustrating night of empty catches. ³ Jesus stepped into Simon Peter's boat and asked him to push out a little from the shore. Then, sitting down in the boat as was customary for rabbis with their disciples, He continued teaching the crowds gathered along the water's edge.

⁴ When He finished speaking, He turned to Simon and said, "Launch out into the deeper water, and let down your nets for a catch." His words carried both invitation and command. ⁵ Simon, his voice heavy with exhaustion, responded, "Master, we've worked hard all night and caught absolutely nothing. But because You say so, I will let down the nets." ⁶ When they did as Jesus directed, they caught such an enormous quantity of fish that their nets began to tear under the weight of the provision. ⁷ They urgently signaled their partners in the other boat to come help them. But both boats were soon so full of fish that they began to sink.

⁸ Then, when Simon Peter had a moment to catch his breath, he fell at Jesus' feet, overwhelmed by his own unworthiness in the presence of such a Man. "Lord, please leave me," he pleaded, " because I am a sinful man." ⁹ For he and all his companions were absolutely awestruck by the miraculous catch of fish they had just witnessed.

¹⁰ James and John, the sons of Zebedee who were Simon's business partners, also stood awestruck. But Jesus spoke to Simon with gentle authority: "Don't be afraid. From now on, you'll be catching people alive for God's Kingdom." ¹¹ After guiding their boats back to shore, they left everything behind – their boats, the miraculous catch, their entire livelihood, and even family to follow Jesus.

Jesus Heals a Man with Leprosy

¹² In one of the towns Jesus visited, He encountered a man completely ravaged by leprosy. When this social outcast saw Jesus, he fell facedown, his voice breaking with desperate hope: "Lord, if You are willing, You have the power to make me clean and restore me to community." ¹³ Jesus, moved with compassion, did what no one else would dare – He reached out His hand and touched the man's diseased skin, saying, "I am willing. Be clean!" Instantly, the leprosy vanished. ¹⁴ Jesus gave him specific instructions: "Tell no one about this yet, but go straight to the priest and offer the sacrifices Moses commanded for your cleansing. This will serve as a public testimony to your healing and allow your official restoration to the community."

¹⁵ Despite this request for discretion, news about Jesus spread even faster. Vast crowds came to hear His teaching and to be healed of their diseases, but ¹⁶ Jesus always maintained His connection with the Father by often withdrawing to isolated places to pray.

Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralyzed Man

¹⁷ One day, as Jesus was teaching, some Pharisees and teachers of religious law sat listening. They had come from every village of Galilee and Judea, and from Jerusalem itself, drawn by reports of His ministry. And the Lord's healing power was in Him, ¹⁸ when some men arrived carrying their paralyzed friend on a sleeping mat, desperately trying to bring him inside to Jesus. ¹⁹ Finding no way through the packed crowd, they went up by the exterior stairs of the house and onto the roof, where they began removing the clay tiles! They then lowered their friend on his mat right into the middle of the crowd, directly in front of Jesus.

²⁰ Seeing their remarkable faith, Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and declared, "Friend, your sins are forgiven!" ²¹ The religious scholars and Pharisees began debating internally: "Who does this man think He is, speaking blasphemies? Only God can forgive sins!"

²² Jesus, knowing their thoughts, addressed their unspoken objections: "Why are you debating these things in your hearts? ²³ Which is easier to say: 'Your sins are forgiven,' or 'Get up and walk'? ²⁴ But to prove that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins..." He turned to the paralyzed man and commanded, "Get up, pick up your mat, and go home!" ²⁵ Immediately, as everyone watched in amazement, the man stood up, picked up his mat, and walked home praising God with every step. ²⁶ Absolute awe seized everyone present. They praised God with newfound wonder, saying, "We have witnessed something extraordinary today – something beyond our wildest expectations!"

Jesus Calls Levi and Eats with Sinners

²⁷ Later, Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi (also known as Matthew) sitting at his tax collection booth. Tax collectors were despised as traitors, collaborating with Rome, but Jesus simply said to him, "Follow Me." ²⁸ Levi got up, left everything behind, and followed Jesus, making a clean break with his past life. ²⁹ Then Levi hosted a large celebration dinner at his house in Jesus' honor. A diverse crowd of tax collectors and others sat together at the table, breaking all social barriers.

³⁰ The Pharisees and their religious scholars complained to Jesus' disciples: "Why do you eat and drink with such social outcasts and notorious sinners?" ³¹ Jesus answered them with divine wisdom: "Healthy people don't need a doctor – sick people do. ³² I haven't come to call those who think they're righteous, but to call sinners to repentance and transformation."

Jesus Questioned About Fasting

³³ Then they raised another objection: "John's disciples frequently fast and pray, as do the disciples of the Pharisees. But Your disciples are always eating and drinking!" ³⁴ Jesus responded with a joyful analogy: "Can you make wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is celebrating with them? ³⁵ But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them; in those days they will fast."

³⁶ He then shared a parable to illustrate His point: "No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment to patch an old one. If they did, they would ruin the new garment and the patch from the new wouldn't match the old. ³⁷ Similarly, no one pours new wine into old wineskins. The new bubbling wine would burst the old skins, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. ³⁸ No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins to preserve both. ³⁹ And no one after drinking old wine thinks they want the new wine, for they say, 'The old is good enough.'" And so, Jesus explained why His new covenant would require a new heart, and a new way of living spiritually.

Footnotes:

Verse 1 (a) That is, the Sea of Galilee
Verse 12 (b) Leprosy was a term used for various skin diseases. See Leviticus 13.
Verse 14 (c) See Leviticus 14:1–32.

Special thanks to the BSB Translation for the above footnotes.

The F.O.G Commentary:

1What is the meaning of Luke 5?

1.1Context of Luke 5

1.2Ancient Key Word Study

1.3Luke 5 Unique Insights

1.4Question the Text:

1.5Luke 5 Connections to Yeshua

1.6Luke 5 Scriptural Echoes

1.7Luke 5 Devotional

1.8Did You Know

What is the meaning of Luke 5?

Have you ever had a moment that changed everything? A single encounter that turned your plans upside down and redirected your path in ways you never expected? That’s exactly what happens in Luke 5.

This chapter is a turning point in Yeshua’s (Jesus’) early ministry, where ordinary people—fishermen, the sick, and the outcast—have life-altering encounters with the Messiah. Through three powerful miracles—the miraculous catch of fish, the healing of a leper, and the healing of a paralytic—Luke paints a vivid picture of Yeshua’s divine authority and His ability to transform lives.

But beyond the miracles, Luke 5 is about calling and response. It’s about what happens when Yeshua steps into your boat, into your struggles, and into your life. Will you hold on to the familiar, or will you take the leap and follow Him into the unknown?

Context of Luke 5

Within the Gospel of Luke, chapter 5 follows the initial announcement of Yeshua’s ministry in His hometown of Nazareth and His early miraculous works in Capernaum. This chapter builds upon the foundation laid in chapter 4, where Yeshua declared His messianic mission by reading from Isaiah 61:1-2. The sequence of events in chapter 5 serves to validate His claims through demonstrations of divine power while simultaneously gathering His first disciples.

In the broader context of Luke’s Gospel, this chapter forms part of the larger section (chapters 4-9) focusing on Yeshua’s Galilean ministry. Luke, writing to a predominantly Gentile audience, carefully structures these accounts to demonstrate how Yeshua’s ministry fulfilled Old Testament prophecies while breaking free from traditional Jewish expectations of the Messiah. The chapter’s emphasis on calling tax collectors and dining with sinners foreshadows the universal scope of the Gospel message that Luke develops throughout his narrative.

Within the larger Biblical narrative, Luke 5 echoes several Old Testament themes, particularly the calling of prophets like Moses and Isaiah, who also encountered God in ways that led to radical life changes. The miraculous catch of fish recalls God’s provision for Israel in the wilderness, while the healing of the leper connects to the Levitical laws concerning purification and the priests’ role in declaring someone clean.

Ancient Key Word Study

ἐπιστάτα (epistata) – “Master” (v. 5): Unique to Luke’s Gospel, this Greek term was used to address someone with authority over others. Unlike διδάσκαλε (teacher) or κύριε (lord), this term specifically emphasizes supervisory authority, suggesting Peter’s recognition of Yeshua’s practical authority over his profession before fully understanding His divine nature.
ἄγρα (agra) – “Catch” (v. 4,9): This term specifically refers to hunting or fishing as a profession rather than sport. Its use here emphasizes that this miracle directly impacted the disciples’ livelihood, making their decision to leave everything even more significant.
καθαρίσθητι (katharisthēti) – “Be cleansed” (v. 13): An aorist passive imperative form indicating immediate, divine passive action. This word choice emphasizes both Yeshua’s authority and the instantaneous nature of the healing, connecting to the Levitical concept of ritual purity.
διαπαραλελυμένος (dia-paralelumenos) – “Paralyzed” (v. 18): A compound word intensifying the meaning of paralysis, suggesting complete helplessness. Luke’s medical background influences his precise terminology here.
ἀφίενταί (aphientai) – “Are forgiven” (v. 20): Present passive indicative form suggesting ongoing state of forgiveness. The word literally means “to send away,” painting a picture of sins being permanently removed.
βλασφημίας (blasphēmias) – “Blasphemies” (v. 21): From βλάπτω (to harm) and φήμη (speech), meaning speech that damages God’s reputation. The scribes correctly understood that only God could forgive sins, making this a crucial theological moment.
καινὸν (kainon) – “New” (v. 36): Refers to something qualitatively new, not just chronologically new. This word choice in the parable of the wineskins emphasizes the radical nature of Yeshua’s teaching compared to traditional Judaism.
σχίσει (schisei) – “Will tear” (v. 36): Future active indicative emphasizing the inevitable consequence of mixing old and new systems, prophetically pointing to the coming break between Old Covenant and New Covenant practices.

Luke 5 Unique Insights

The miraculous catch of fish in this chapter carries profound symbolism that would have resonated with first-century Jewish readers. The Sea of Galilee, known in Hebrew as Yam Kinneret, was seen as a place of chaos and uncertainty in Jewish tradition. By demonstrating His authority over the sea and its creatures, Yeshua echoes God’s authority over creation in Genesis and His control over waters in the Exodus narrative. The abundant catch specifically recalls the prophecy of Ezekiel 47:10, where fish in great abundance symbolize the messianic age.

Can a Bible Come to Life over a Coffee?

This biblical entry has a unique origin story. Find out how it came to be—and why your visit today is about so much more than words. Get your coffee ready—God’s about to visit. But will you open the door for Him?

I’m ready

The Rabbinical literature provides interesting parallel insights to this chapter. The Talmud (Bava Batra 74b) discusses how in the messianic age, the righteous will feast on Leviathan, symbolizing victory over chaos. The miraculous catch of fish can be seen as a foretaste of this messianic abundance. Furthermore, the healing of the leper connects to various rabbinic discussions about the Messiah being able to heal conditions that were considered beyond human cure (Sanhedrin 98a).

Early church father Ambrose of Milan saw in the different boats (v. 2) a prophecy of the church’s future mission to both Jews and Gentiles. He interpreted the breaking nets as symbolic of the future challenges the church would face in containing the great influx of converts. This interpretation gained widespread acceptance in patristic literature and influenced medieval biblical interpretation.

The chapter’s structure itself reveals a deeper theological message through its arrangement of miracle stories. The progression from authority over nature (fish), to authority over disease (leprosy), to authority over sin (paralytic) creates an ascending scale of divine prerogatives, culminating in the unique divine authority to forgive sins.

Question the Text:

As you read Luke 5, take a moment to question the text. What stands out as puzzling or unexpected? Where do the characters act in surprising ways? What cultural or theological assumptions are being challenged? Instead of rushing to find definitive answers, let these questions guide you into deeper reflection about human nature, divine interaction, and the unspoken details within the passage.

Why does Yeshua choose fishermen—ordinary laborers—as His first disciples instead of religious scholars or leaders? What does this say about the kind of people He calls? Luke 5:1-3
Why does Simon respond with such deep humility and fear after the miraculous catch of fish? What does he recognize about Yeshua that causes him to say, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord”? Luke 5:8
Yeshua tells Simon and the others, “Do not fear; from now on you will catch men.” What fears might they have had about leaving everything behind? How does this parallel modern fears about stepping into faith-based callings? Luke 5:10-11
The man with leprosy approaches Yeshua and says, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” Why does he phrase it this way? What might this reveal about his view of God’s willingness to heal? Luke 5:12
Instead of avoiding the leper, Yeshua touches him—an act that would make Him ceremonially unclean according to the Torah. What does this action communicate about the nature of divine holiness versus human impurity? Luke 5:13
Why does Yeshua command the healed man to tell no one but to go and show himself to the priest? What does this reveal about Yeshua’s relationship with the Torah and the religious system of the time? Luke 5:14
Despite Yeshua’s instruction to remain quiet, news about Him spreads rapidly. Why does this happen so often in His ministry? What does it say about human nature and the hunger for divine intervention? Luke 5:15
Yeshua frequently withdraws to pray in solitude. Why does He, the Son of God, need this time alone with the Father? What does this model for believers today? Luke 5:16
The friends of the paralyzed man go to great lengths to bring him to Yeshua, even tearing through a roof. What does their persistence reveal about faith and intercession? Luke 5:18-19
Instead of healing the paralytic immediately, Yeshua first declares his sins forgiven. Why does He prioritize forgiveness over physical healing? What does this reveal about His mission? Luke 5:20
The religious leaders question, “Who can forgive sins but God alone?” How does this moment challenge their understanding of Yeshua’s identity? Luke 5:21
Yeshua calls Levi, a tax collector, to follow Him—a profession widely despised in Jewish society. What does this choice reveal about the kind of people Yeshua welcomes into His inner circle? Luke 5:27-28
The Pharisees criticize Yeshua for eating with tax collectors and sinners. How does His response challenge their religious assumptions about purity and righteousness? Luke 5:30-32
Yeshua’s disciples do not fast like the Pharisees and John’s disciples. His response about the bridegroom and new wineskins suggests a major shift in spiritual practice. What is He revealing about the coming of the Kingdom? Luke 5:33-39

These questions invite you to wrestle with the text, seeing both its challenges and insights. As you reflect, how do these themes resonate with your own faith journey? Leave a comment with your thoughts and questions below.

Luke 5 Connections to Yeshua

The events in Luke 5 powerfully demonstrate Yeshua’s divine nature while simultaneously revealing His mission to establish a new covenant. The miraculous catch of fish establishes His authority over creation, echoing God’s original blessing to humanity to have dominion over the fish of the sea (Genesis 1:28). This authority is then channeled into His mission statement: “From now on you will catch men,” transforming a physical miracle into a spiritual commission that continues through His church today.

The healing of the leper and paralytic demonstrate Yeshua’s role as the ultimate fulfillment of the Levitical priesthood. By touching the leper without becoming unclean Himself, He shows His power to transform uncleanness into purity, foreshadowing His work on the cross where He would take our sins upon Himself without being tainted by them (2 Corinthians 5:21). His declaration of forgiveness to the paralytic, followed by physical healing, illustrates His comprehensive mission to address both spiritual and physical brokenness, pointing to the ultimate restoration promised in Revelation where there will be no more sickness or sin.

Luke 5 Scriptural Echoes

This chapter resonates with numerous Old Testament passages and themes. The miraculous catch of fish recalls God’s provision of manna in the wilderness (Exodus 16) and Elisha’s miracle of multiplying the widow’s oil (2 Kings 4:1-7). Peter’s response, “Depart from me,” directly parallels Isaiah’s reaction to his divine encounter (Isaiah 6:5).

The healing of the leper connects to the extensive regulations in Leviticus 13-14 regarding leprosy, while also fulfilling prophecies about the Messiah healing diseases (Isaiah 35:5-6). The calling of Levi echoes God’s pattern of choosing unlikely candidates for His service, seen in the calling of Moses, David, and the prophets.

Luke 5 Devotional

This chapter challenges us to examine our response to divine encounters. Like Peter, James, and John, we may be called to leave behind successful careers and comfortable lives to follow Yeshua. The key question is not whether we have much or little to leave behind, but whether we’re willing to surrender whatever we have when He calls.

The healing stories remind us that no condition is beyond His power to transform. Just as the leper approached with faith saying, “Lord, if You are willing,” we too can bring our seemingly impossible situations to Him with confidence in His power while submitting to His wisdom regarding the timing and manner of His response.

The chapter’s conclusion about new wine and old wineskins challenges us to examine whether we’re truly ready to embrace the new thing God wants to do in our lives, or if we’re trying to contain His fresh work within old patterns and comfortable traditions.

Did You Know

The type of nets used in the miraculous catch were specifically drag-nets (δίκτυα), different from the casting nets (ἀμφίβληστρον) mentioned in other Gospel fishing accounts. These larger nets required multiple people to handle, emphasizing the community aspect of the miracle.
In Jewish tradition, leprosy (צרעת – tzara’at) was seen not merely as a physical disease but as a physical manifestation of spiritual impurity, often connected to the sin of slander. By healing the leper, Yeshua was demonstrating His authority over both physical and spiritual contamination.
The “tax office” where Levi was sitting was likely a customs booth on the major trade route from Damascus to the Mediterranean, making him particularly wealthy and notorious among his fellow Jews.
The phrase “new wine” in verse 37 refers to wine that was still fermenting, making it particularly volatile and explaining why new wineskins were necessary to accommodate the expansion.
The healing of the paralytic would have been particularly significant in Capernaum, as archaeology has revealed that many homes there had roof access via external stairs, making the story’s details historically accurate.
The scribes’ accusation of blasphemy carried a death penalty under Jewish law, making this one of the earliest indicators in Luke’s Gospel of the growing opposition that would eventually lead to the crucifixion.
The term “Son of Man” used by Yeshua appears in Daniel 7:13-14 and was a known messianic title in various intertestamental Jewish writings, though its exact implications were debated.
When Yeshua told the leper to show himself to the priest, He was fulfilling the requirements of Leviticus 14, providing the priests an opportunity to officially verify His miracle.

Have you been blessed?

This website has over 46,000 Biblical resources, made possible through the generosity of the 0.03% of supporters like you. If you’ve been blessed today, please consider sending a gift.

send a gift

Bible Themes

# Call of God # discipleship # divine authority # faith # forgiveness # healing # Jewish customs # kingdom of God # messianic prophecy # miracles # New Covenant # surrender # transformation

Jean Paul Joseph

After a dramatic early morning encounter with King Jesus, I just couldn’t put my Bible down. The F.O.G took a hold of me and this website was born. What is the F.O.G?

Articles: 46871

0 Comments

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments