Jesus transforms from teacher to miracle-worker to master fisherman, uniquely combining divine authority with practical fishing expertise that overwhelms professional fishermen into discipleship.
Luke 5
The Call of the First Disciples
1Now while the multitude pressed on him and heard the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret.
2He saw two boats standing by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets.
3He 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.
4When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”
5Simon answered him, “Master, we worked all night and caught nothing; but at your word I will let down the net.”
6When they had done this, they caught a great multitude of fish, and their net was breaking.
7They 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.
8But Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, Lord.”
9For he was amazed, and all who were with him, at the catch of fish which they had caught;
10and 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.”
11When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything, and followed him.
The Cleansing of a Leper
12While 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.”
13He stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I want to. Be made clean.” Immediately the leprosy left him.
14He 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.”
15But the report concerning him spread much more, and great multitudes came together to hear and to be healed by him of their infirmities.
16But he withdrew himself into the desert and prayed.
The Healing of a Paralytic
17On one of those days, 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.
18Behold, men brought a paralyzed man on a cot, and they sought to bring him in to lay before Jesus.
19Not 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 middle before Jesus.
20Seeing their faith, he said to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.”
21The scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?”
22But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, answered them, “Why are you reasoning so in your hearts?
23Which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’?
24But 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, take up your cot, and go to your house.”
25Immediately he rose up before them, and took up that which he was laying on, and departed to his house, glorifying God.
26Amazement took hold on all, and they glorified God. They were filled with fear, saying, “We have seen strange things today.”
The Call of Levi
27After these things he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the tax office, and said to him, “Follow me!”
28He left everything, and rose up and followed him.
29Levi made a great feast for him in his house. There was a great crowd of tax collectors and others who were reclining with them.
30Their scribes and the Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?”
31Jesus answered them, “Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick do.
32I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”
The Question about Fasting
33They said to him, “Why do John’s disciples often fast and pray, likewise also the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink?”
34He said to them, “Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them?
35But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them. Then they will fast in those days.”
36He 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.
37No 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.
38But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved.
39No man having drunk old wine immediately desires new, for he says, ‘The old is better.’”
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Theme
Luke 5 presents Jesus' growing ministry through miraculous demonstrations of divine power and authority. The chapter chronicles the calling of his first disciples through a miraculous catch of fish, followed by healing miracles that reveal both his compassion for the marginalized and his divine authority to forgive sins. These events establish Jesus' credentials as the Messiah while showing how his ministry attracts both devoted followers and religious opposition.
Context
Following Jesus' rejection in Nazareth (chapter 4), this chapter shows his ministry gaining momentum in Galilee with disciples, miracles, and growing crowds.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-11 The Call of the First Disciples Jesus calls Simon Peter, James, and John to follow him after a miraculous catch of fish.
- 12-16 The Cleansing of a Leper Jesus heals a man with leprosy, demonstrating compassion while instructing him to follow Mosaic law.
- 17-26 The Healing of a Paralytic Jesus forgives and heals a paralyzed man, proving his divine authority to religious leaders.
- 27-32 The Call of Levi Jesus calls the tax collector Levi and dines with sinners, explaining his mission to the lost.
- 33-39 The Question about Fasting Jesus teaches about the newness of his ministry using parables of wedding guests, cloth, and wineskins.
The Call of the First Disciples
5:1–5:11 gospel narration triumphant
Jesus calls his first disciples through a miraculous catch of fish, leading Simon Peter to recognize his sinfulness and Jesus to commission them as fishers of people. The disciples leave everything to follow Jesus, marking the beginning of their ministry.
person_contrast
Jesus transforms from teacher to miracle-worker to master fisherman, uniquely combining divine authority with practical fishing expertise that overwhelms professional fishermen into discipleship.
The Cleansing of a Leper
5:12–5:16 gospel narration tender
Jesus cleanses a leper through touch and word, instructing him to follow Mosaic law for testimony. Despite Jesus' instruction for secrecy, his fame spreads, prompting him to withdraw for prayer.
person_contrast
Jesus deliberately touches the leper before speaking his healing command, reversing the typical ancient sequence where words preceded physical contact to avoid ritual contamination.
The Healing of a Paralytic
5:17–5:26 gospel narration triumphant
Jesus heals a paralytic and forgives his sins, demonstrating his divine authority to religious leaders who question his power. The miracle serves as proof of Jesus' authority to forgive sins and amazes all witnesses.
person_contrast
Jesus uniquely combines physical healing with sin forgiveness here, making this one of only two Gospel passages where miraculous power directly validates his divine authority to forgive.
The Call of Levi
5:27–5:32 gospel narration hopeful
Jesus calls the tax collector Levi to discipleship and dines with tax collectors and sinners, explaining to critics that he came to call sinners to repentance. This passage illustrates Jesus' mission to the marginalized and his inclusive approach to ministry.
person_contrast
Jesus abandons his typical authoritative teaching posture to recline at table with society's outcasts, transforming a tax collector's feast into a theological statement about divine mercy.
The Question about Fasting
5:33–5:39 gospel parable-telling contemplative
Jesus responds to questions about why his disciples don't fast by using the metaphor of a bridegroom and parables about new wine and old wineskins to illustrate the transformative nature of his ministry.
person_contrast
Jesus uniquely employs three consecutive metaphors—bridegroom, unshrunk cloth, and new wineskins—creating Luke's densest cluster of transformation imagery to defend his disciples' celebratory practices.
Insights
Jesus deliberately touches the leper before speaking his healing command, reversing the typical ancient sequence where words preceded physical contact to avoid ritual contamination.
Jesus uniquely combines physical healing with sin forgiveness here, making this one of only two Gospel passages where miraculous power directly validates his divine authority to forgive.
Jesus abandons his typical authoritative teaching posture to recline at table with society's outcasts, transforming a tax collector's feast into a theological statement about divine mercy.
Jesus uniquely employs three consecutive metaphors—bridegroom, unshrunk cloth, and new wineskins—creating Luke's densest cluster of transformation imagery to defend his disciples' celebratory practices.
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
Luke 5:2 4 references
Lexicals 4
Matthew 4:21 Lexical
Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee…
Matthew 4:18 Lexical
Walking by the sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers: Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew, his brother, casting a net i…
Mark 1:19 Lexical
Going on a little further from there, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were also in the boat m…
Mark 1:16 Lexical
Passing along by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net into the sea, for they…
Luke 5:3 5 references
Lexicals 5
Mark 4:1 Lexical
Again he began to teach by the seaside. A great multitude was gathered to him, so that he entered into a boat in the sea…
Matthew 14:22 Lexical
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he sent the multitud…
Matthew 13:2 Lexical
Great multitudes gathered to him, so that he entered into a boat and sat; and all the multitude stood on the beach.
Matthew 15:39 Lexical
Then he sent away the multitudes, got into the boat, and came into the borders of Magdala.
Mark 6:45 Lexical
Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go ahead to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he himself sent…
Luke 5:5 3 references
Lexicals 3
Acts 9:25 Lexical
but his disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket.
John 21:3 Lexical
Simon Peter said to them, “I’m going fishing.” They told him, “We are also coming with you.” They immediately went out a…
John 6:68 Lexical
Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life.
Luke 5:8 5 references
Lexicals 5
Acts 10:17 Lexical
Now while Peter was very perplexed in himself what the vision which he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sen…
Acts 9:40 Lexical
Peter sent them all out, and knelt down and prayed. Turning to the body, he said, “Tabitha, get up!” She opened her eyes…
John 21:3 Lexical
Simon Peter said to them, “I’m going fishing.” They told him, “We are also coming with you.” They immediately went out a…
Luke 19:7 Lexical
When they saw it, they all murmured, saying, “He has gone in to lodge with a man who is a sinner.”
Matthew 4:18 Lexical
Walking by the sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers: Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew, his brother, casting a net i…
Luke 5:10 5 references
Lexicals 5
Matthew 10:2 Lexical
Now the names of the twelve apostles are these. The first, Simon, who is called Peter; Andrew, his brother; James the so…
Mark 10:35 Lexical
James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came near to him, saying, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we will ask.”
Mark 3:17 Lexical
James the son of Zebedee; and John, the brother of James, (whom he called Boanerges, which means, Sons of Thunder);
Matthew 4:21 Lexical
Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee…
Mark 1:19 Lexical
Going on a little further from there, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were also in the boat m…
Luke 5:11 1 reference
Luke 5:12 5 references
Lexicals 5
Matthew 8:2 Lexical
Behold, a leper came to him and worshiped him, saying, “Lord, if you want to, you can make me clean.”
Mark 1:40 Lexical
A leper came to him, begging him, kneeling down to him, and saying to him, “If you want to, you can make me clean.”
Matthew 8:3 Lexical
Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I want to. Be made clean.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
1 Thessalonians 3:10 Lexical
night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and may perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
Luke 9:38 Lexical
Behold, a man from the crowd called out, saying, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only born child.
Luke 5:13 5 references
Lexicals 5
Matthew 8:3 Lexical
Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I want to. Be made clean.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
Mark 1:41 Lexical
Being moved with compassion, he stretched out his hand, and touched him, and said to him, “I want to. Be made clean.”
Mark 1:42 Lexical
When he had said this, immediately the leprosy departed from him and he was made clean.
Matthew 14:31 Lexical
Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand, took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”
John 21:18 Lexical
Most certainly I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself and walked where you wanted to. But when you are ol…
Luke 5:14 5 references
Lexicals 5
Mark 1:44 Lexical
and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anybody, but go show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing t…
Matthew 8:4 Lexical
Jesus said to him, “See that you tell nobody; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses command…
Acts 7:44 Lexical
“Our fathers had the tabernacle of the testimony in the wilderness, even as he who spoke to Moses commanded him to make…
Hebrews 8:5 Lexical
who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, even as Moses was warned by God when he was about to make the tabern…
Hebrews 5:3 Lexical
Because of this, he must offer sacrifices for sins for the people, as well as for himself.
Luke 5:15 5 references
Lexicals 5
Matthew 19:2 Lexical
Great multitudes followed him, and he healed them there.
Matthew 12:15 Lexical
Jesus, perceiving that, withdrew from there. Great multitudes followed him; and he healed them all,
Matthew 14:14 Lexical
Jesus went out, and he saw a great multitude. He had compassion on them and healed their sick.
Matthew 15:30 Lexical
Great multitudes came to him, having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others, and they put them down at…
Acts 20:2 Lexical
When he had gone through those parts and had encouraged them with many words, he came into Greece.
Luke 5:17 5 references
Lexicals 5
John 4:47 Lexical
When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to him and begged him that he would come down and h…
Luke 23:5 Lexical
But they insisted, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee even to this p…
Acts 1:8 Lexical
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Jude…
Luke 24:13 Lexical
Behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was sixty stadia from Jerusalem.
Acts 13:31 Lexical
and he was seen for many days by those who came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses to the peop…
Luke 5:18 3 references
Lexicals 3
Acts 10:30 Lexical
Cornelius said, “Four days ago, I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour, I prayed in my house, and behold,…
Acts 5:25 Lexical
One came and told them, “Behold, the men whom you put in prison are in the temple, standing and teaching the people.”
Acts 10:21 Lexical
Peter went down to the men, and said, “Behold, I am he whom you seek. Why have you come?”
Luke 5:20 1 reference
Luke 5:21 2 references
Luke 5:22 1 reference
Luke 5:23 2 references
Luke 5:24 3 references
Lexicals 3
Matthew 9:6 Lexical
But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins—” (then he said to the paralytic), “Get…
Mark 2:10 Lexical
But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic—
1 John 3:5 Lexical
You know that he was revealed to take away our sins, and no sin is in him.
Luke 5:26 3 references
Lexicals 3
Luke 7:16 Lexical
Fear took hold of all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and, “God has visited his…
Acts 16:3 Lexical
Paul wanted to have him go out with him, and he took and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts, fo…
Acts 3:10 Lexical
They recognized him, that it was he who used to sit begging for gifts for the needy at the Beautiful Gate of the temple.…
Luke 5:27 2 references
Luke 5:29 3 references
Lexicals 3
Mark 2:15 Lexical
He was reclining at the table in his house, and many tax collectors and sinners sat down with Jesus and his disciples, f…
Matthew 9:10 Lexical
As he sat in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples.
John 7:12 Lexical
There was much murmuring among the multitudes concerning him. Some said, “He is a good man.” Others said, “Not so, but h…
Luke 5:30 5 references
Lexicals 5
Mark 2:16 Lexical
The scribes and the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with the sinners and tax collectors, said to his discipl…
Matthew 9:11 Lexical
When the Pharisees saw it, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
Luke 7:34 Lexical
The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Behold, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors…
Matthew 11:19 Lexical
The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collect…
Mark 7:5 Lexical
The Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why don’t your disciples walk according to the tradition of the elders, but ea…
Luke 5:31 2 references
Luke 5:32 3 references
Lexicals 3
Luke 15:7 Lexical
I tell you that even so there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous pe…
Mark 2:17 Lexical
When Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick. I cam…
Matthew 9:13 Lexical
But you go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ for I came not to call the righteous, but sin…
Luke 5:33 5 references
Lexicals 5
Matthew 9:14 Lexical
Then John’s disciples came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples don’t fast?”
Mark 2:18 Lexical
John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting, and they came and asked him, “Why do John’s disciples and the disciples…
Luke 17:28 Lexical
Likewise, even as it was in the days of Lot: they ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built;
Luke 7:33 Lexical
For John the Baptizer came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’
Matthew 11:18 Lexical
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’
Luke 5:34 2 references
Luke 5:35 3 references
Lexicals 3
Matthew 9:15 Lexical
Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will c…
Mark 2:20 Lexical
But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day.
Mark 2:19 Lexical
Jesus said to them, “Can the groomsmen fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with…
Luke 5:36 4 references
Lexicals 4
Matthew 9:16 Lexical
No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch would tear away from the garment, and a worse hol…
Mark 2:21 Lexical
No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, or else the patch shrinks and the new tears away from the old,…
Matthew 9:17 Lexical
Neither do people put new wine into old wineskins, or else the skins would burst, and the wine be spilled, and the skins…
Mark 2:22 Lexical
No one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine will burst the skins, and the wine pours out, and the skin…
Luke 5:37 2 references
Luke 5:38 2 references
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