The big picture
Crowds press around Jesus, the teacher and healer, beside the lake of Gennesaret, a northern lake also known as the sea of Galilee. A borrowed boat becomes his place to teach. A great catch then changes its owner's life. Jesus also cleanses a man with leprosy and heals another who cannot walk. Religious teachers question his forgiveness, his company, and his followers' meals. His answers describe a work that reaches sinners and brings a new time that old expectations cannot contain.
In this chapter
- A Great Catch Leads to a New Call Luke 5:1-11
Jesus teaches from Simon's boat a little offshore, then tells him to lower nets in deep water.
- Cleansing and Prayer Amid Growing Fame Luke 5:12-16
In a town a man covered with leprosy, a skin disease causing ritual uncleanness, falls facedown before Jesus.
- Forgiveness Is Backed by Healing Luke 5:17-26
Pharisees, a strict religious group, and law teachers gather from the northern and southern regions and Jerusalem, the temple city.
- Levi Leaves the Tax Booth Luke 5:27-32
Jesus sees Levi, a tax collector, seated at his booth and calls him to follow.
- A New Time Requires a Fitting Response Luke 5:33-39
Critics ask why followers of John, the earlier preacher, and the Pharisees fast and pray while Jesus' followers eat.
Central truth
Jesus calls people out of familiar lives and restores those in need, claiming authority to forgive and welcome sinners.
Scripture beside the summary
Luke · King James Version · 39Luke 5:1-11
A Great Catch Leads to a New Call
Jesus teaches from Simon's boat a little offshore, then tells him to lower nets in deep water. Simon, also called Peter, has worked all night without a catch, but obeys because Jesus says it. So many fish fill the nets that they begin to tear. Partners bring another boat, and both become dangerously full. Simon falls before Jesus, aware of his own sin and unworthiness. James and John, his partners and sons of Zebedee, share his amazement. Jesus tells Simon not to fear and gives him a new task of gathering people. On reaching land, they leave everything and follow him.
In everyday life
A trawler owner accepts an experienced observer's request to try one last measured run after an empty night. An unexpected catch forces him to call another crew, and he realises his own judgement was not the last word. The result changes whom he trusts. Jesus' act leads to a call to gather people, not better fishing advice.
Notice
Luke 5:10 Jesus answers Simon's fear with a task rather than dismissal. Recognising his sin does not make Simon useless for the work Jesus gives.
Luke 5:1-11
King James Version1And 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.
Luke 5:12-16
Cleansing and Prayer Amid Growing Fame
In a town a man covered with leprosy, a skin disease causing ritual uncleanness, falls facedown before Jesus. He asks to be cleansed, trusting Jesus' ability but seeking his willingness. Jesus touches him and says he is willing. The disease leaves immediately. He tells the man not to spread the news but to show a priest and make the offering Moses, the lawgiver, required. That process will witness to his cleansing. News spreads nevertheless, and large crowds come for teaching and healing. Jesus repeatedly withdraws to lonely places to pray. Public demand does not remove his need for time apart with God.
In everyday life
A burn-care nurse takes a patient's hand during a dressing change after he has grown used to people avoiding his scars. Her touch makes care personal rather than distant. She later steps away from the busy ward for a quiet break. Jesus cleanses at once and withdraws for prayer; nursing works through ongoing treatment.
Notice
Luke 5:16 Luke mentions withdrawal and prayer as crowds grow. The expanding demand for help is met alongside time apart, not by endless public activity.
Luke 5:12-16
King James Version12And 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.
Luke 5:17-26
Forgiveness Is Backed by Healing
Pharisees, a strict religious group, and law teachers gather from the northern and southern regions and Jerusalem, the temple city. While Jesus teaches, men bring a paralysed friend on a bed. The crowd blocks entry, so they lower him through the roof. Jesus sees their faith and declares his sins forgiven. The teachers question how anyone but God can forgive. Knowing their thoughts, Jesus orders the man to rise and carry his bed home. He does this to show that the Son of man, his title for himself, has authority to forgive. The man obeys at once, and the crowd praises God in awe.
In everyday life
A home-access team lifts a disabled resident through a widened doorway after ordinary routes have failed. Each helper takes a corner and follows the same plan until their friend reaches the place he needs. Their trust becomes shared action. Jesus both forgives and heals; an access team can move a bed but cannot command its occupant to walk.
Notice
Luke 5:24 Jesus states why he gives the command to walk: it supports his claim to forgive. The visible healing serves a claim that cannot be seen directly.
Luke 5:17-26
King James Version17And 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 Judæa, 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.
Luke 5:27-32
Levi Leaves the Tax Booth
Jesus sees Levi, a tax collector, seated at his booth and calls him to follow. Levi leaves everything and joins him. He then hosts a large feast with many tax collectors and others. The scribes and Pharisees complain to Jesus' followers about eating with people they call sinners. Jesus answers that a doctor is needed by sick people, not those who are well. He has come to call sinners to turn from sin. The meal does not treat wrongdoing as harmless. It brings the one offering change into contact with those who need it, instead of keeping them outside respectable company.
In everyday life
A debt-advice volunteer sits beside people whose unpaid bills have made neighbours avoid them. One guest brings others from the same block because the table feels open enough to ask for help. Need is a reason to draw near. Jesus calls people to repentance and discipleship, not only to a plan for paying debts.
Notice
Luke 5:28 Levi's response includes leaving his post, not only agreeing with Jesus. The feast then brings his former circle into contact with the one he now follows.
Luke 5:27-32
King James Version27And 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.
Luke 5:33-39
A New Time Requires a Fitting Response
Critics ask why followers of John, the earlier preacher, and the Pharisees fast and pray while Jesus' followers eat. He compares his presence to a bridegroom with wedding guests. Fasting, going without food for devotion, will come when he is taken away. He then describes two failed attempts to force new things into old forms. Cutting a new garment to patch an old one ruins both. Fresh wine needs flexible skins, since its expanding fermentation bursts old ones. Finally, people used to old wine often prefer it. Familiarity helps explain resistance to the new, but does not settle whether that resistance is right.
In everyday life
A software trainer opens a new drawing tool while an experienced signwriter keeps reaching for the old menu positions. He dismisses the programme before trying the changed controls. Habit makes the familiar feel better even when the task has changed. Jesus speaks of the new situation created by his presence, not an upgrade that replaces a useful tool.
Notice
Luke 5:39 The preference for old wine names a human reaction to change. Jesus includes resistance in his picture rather than assuming everyone welcomes something new.
Luke 5:33-39
King James Version33And 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.
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.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Luke 5:1 begins with “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,”
Where the chapter turns
Luke 5:21 forms a natural hinge: “And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?”
The final note
Luke 5:39 leaves the reader with “No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words Jesus, Simon, taken, bottles, Pharisees, ships help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
KJV words made clear
- draught
- Here, a catch of fish drawn in by a net.
- infirmities
- Illnesses or bodily weaknesses that limit health or movement.
- receipt of custom
- A place where a tax collector receives duties or taxes.
Music and video connected to the passage
Related media appears when its Scripture reference overlaps this study. Music and video can illuminate a theme while the biblical text remains the foundation.
