Luke — Chapter 5
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
1Now it came to pass, while the multitude pressed upon him and heard the word of God, that he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret;
2and he saw two boats standing by the lake: but the fishermen had gone out of them, and were washing their nets.
3And he entered into one of the boats, which was Simon`s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the multitudes out of the boat.
4And when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Put out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
5And Simon answered and said, Master, we toiled all night, and took nothing: but at thy word I will let down the nets.
6And when they had done this, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes; and their nets were breaking;
7and they beckoned unto their partners in the other boat, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the 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, O Lord.
9For he was amazed, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken;
10and so were also James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.
11And when they had brought their boats to land, they left all, and followed him.
12And it came to pass, while he was in one of the cities, behold, a man full of leprosy: and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
13And he stretched forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou made clean. And straightway the leprosy departed from him.
14And he charged him to tell no man: but go thy way, and show thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
15But so much the more went abroad the report concerning him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed of their infirmities.
16But he withdrew himself in the deserts, and prayed.
17And it came to pass on one of those days, that he was teaching; and there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, who were come out of every village of Galilee and Judaea and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was with him to heal.
18And behold, men bring on a bed a man that was palsied: and they sought to bring him in, and to lay him before him.
19And not finding by what [way] they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went up to the housetop, and let him down through the tiles with his couch into the midst before Jesus.
20And seeing their faith, he said, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.
21And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this that speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?
22But Jesus perceiving their reasonings, answered and said unto them, Why reason ye in your hearts?
23Which is easier, to say, Thy sins are forgiven thee; or to say, Arise and walk?
24But that ye may know that the Son of man hath authority on earth to forgive sins (he said unto him that was palsied), I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go unto thy house.
25And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his house, glorifying God.
26And amazement took hold on all, and they glorified God; and they were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to-day.
27And after these things he went forth, and beheld a publican, named Levi, sitting at the place of toll, and said unto him, Follow me.
28And he forsook all, and rose up and followed him.
29And Levi made him a great feast in his house: and there was a great multitude of publicans and of others that were sitting at meat with them.
30And the Pharisees and their scribes murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with the publicans and sinners?
31And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are in health have no need of a physician; but they that are sick.
32I am not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.
33And they said unto him, The disciples of John fast often, and make supplications; likewise also the [disciples] of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink.
34And Jesus said unto them, Can ye make the sons of the bride-chamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?
35But the days will come; and when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, then will they fast in those days.
36And he spake also a parable unto them: No man rendeth a piece from a new garment and putteth it upon an old garment; else he will rend the new, and also the piece from the new will not agree with the old.
37And no man putteth new wine into old wine-skins; else the new wine will burst the skins, and itself will be spilled, and the skins will perish.
38But new wine must be put into fresh wine-skins.
39And no man having drunk old [wine] desireth new; for he saith, The old is good.
1Now Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing around him to hear the word of God.
2He saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gotten out of them and were washing their nets.
3He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then Jesus sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.
4When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and lower your nets for a catch.”
5Simon answered, “Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing! But at your word I will lower the nets.”
6When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets started to tear.
7So they motioned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they were about to sink.
8But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!”
9For Peter and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken,
10and so were James and John, Zebedee’s sons, who were Simon’s business partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people!”
11So when they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.
12While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came to him who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he bowed down with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”
13So he stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing. Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him.
14Then he ordered the man to tell no one, but commanded him, “Go and show yourself to a priest, and bring the offering for your cleansing, as Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
15But the news about him spread even more, and large crowds were gathering together to hear him and to be healed of their illnesses.
16Yet Jesus himself frequently withdrew to the wilderness and prayed.
17Now on one of those days, while he was teaching, there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting nearby (who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem), and the power of the Lord was with him to heal.
18Just then some men showed up, carrying a paralyzed man on a stretcher. They were trying to bring him in and place him before Jesus.
19But since they found no way to carry him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down on the stretcher through the roof tiles right in front of Jesus.
20When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”
21Then the experts in the law and the Pharisees began to think to themselves, “Who is this man who is uttering blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
22When Jesus perceived their hostile thoughts, he said to them, “Why are you raising objections within yourselves?
23Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and walk’?
24But so 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, stand up, take your stretcher and go home.”
25Immediately he stood up before them, picked up the stretcher he had been lying on, and went home, glorifying God.
26Then astonishment seized them all, and they glorified God. They were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen incredible things today.”
27After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the tax booth. “Follow me,” he said to him.
28And he got up and followed him, leaving everything behind.
29Then Levi gave a great banquet in his house for Jesus, and there was a large crowd of tax collectors and others sitting at the table with them.
30But the Pharisees and their experts in the law complained to his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”
31Jesus answered them, “Those who are well don’t need a physician, but those who are sick do.
32I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
33Then they said to him, “John’s disciples frequently fast and pray, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours continue to eat and drink.”
34So Jesus said to them, “You cannot make the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them, can you?
35But those days are coming, and when the bridegroom is taken from them, at that time they will fast.”
36He also told them a parable: “No one tears a patch from a new garment and sews it on an old garment. If he does, he will have torn the new, and the piece from the new will not match the old.
37And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins and will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed.
38Instead new wine must be poured into new wineskins.
39No one after drinking old wine wants the new, for he says, ‘The old is good enough.’”
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 took 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.
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.
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 that 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, and 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.”
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.”
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 wine skins, 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 wine skins, and both are preserved.
39No man having drunk old wine immediately desires new, for he says, ‘The old is better.’”
Summary
Jesus calls Simon Peter after a miraculous catch of fish, cleanses a leper, heals a paralytic lowered through the roof (declaring his sins forgiven), calls Levi, and teaches that new wine requires new wineskins.
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
- The Lake of Gennesaret (Sea of Galilee, v.1): Jesus taught from Simon's boat on the lake, then called Peter after the miraculous catch of fish.
- Capernaum (implied): Levi's tax booth was likely on the Via Maris trade route near Capernaum. The paralytic was also healed in a house here.
Commentary
- Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik examines the miraculous catch as a picture of evangelism, Peter's conviction of sin, the significance of Jesus touching the leper, the paralytic's friends' faith, and the new wine/old wineskins teaching.
- Charles Spurgeon: Sermon: "At Thy Word" on v.5 (MTP Vol. 22, No. 1299) "Nevertheless at thy word. That is faith — not 'at my experience,' not 'at my feelings,' not 'at my logic' — at thy word. Peter's experience said there were no fish. Christ's word said there were. And Christ's word was right. It always is." Sermon: "The Physician for Sinners" on v.31 (MTP Vol. 10, No. 568) "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners. If you think you are righteous, Christ has nothing for you. But if you know you are sick — if you know you are a sinner — then He is exactly what you need. The hospital is for the sick, not the healthy."
Reflection
- 1. Peter obeyed Jesus' word despite his professional expertise saying otherwise (v.5). When God's Word contradicts your experience or logic, which do you follow? Where is God asking you to "let down your net" in an area where you've already tried and failed?
- 2. Peter's response to the miracle was not celebration but conviction — "I am a sinful man" (v.8). Genuine encounters with Christ's power reveal our own unworthiness. When did you last feel the weight of your own sinfulness in God's presence? Has familiarity dulled your awareness?
- 3. The friends of the paralytic wouldn't let obstacles stop them — they dug through a roof (v.19). Jesus saw "their faith." Who in your life needs you to carry them to Jesus? What obstacles are you willing to overcome to get them there?
- 4. Jesus said "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners" (v.32). If you think you're too good for grace, you'll never receive it. If you know you're sick, the Physician is available. Which posture describes you today?
- 5. After the miraculous catch, Peter, James, and John "forsook all, and followed him" (v.11). They left a boat full of fish — their biggest haul ever — to follow Jesus. What would you have to leave at the peak of its value to follow Christ more fully?
- 6. Jesus touched the leper (v.13) — something no one else would do. The leper was untouchable. Who are the "untouchables" in your world — people others avoid? What would it look like to reach out and touch their lives?
- 7. Jesus forgave the paralytic's sins before healing his body (v.20). He addressed the deeper need first. Are you more focused on God fixing your circumstances or transforming your heart? Which does He prioritize?
- 8. Levi threw a party to introduce his friends to Jesus (v.29). He used his existing relationships for evangelism. Who in your social circle doesn't know Christ? What would it look like to create an opportunity for them to encounter Him?
- 9. "New wine must be put into new bottles" (v.38). Jesus' kingdom doesn't fit into old religious structures. Where are you trying to fit the new work God is doing into old patterns, old habits, or old ways of thinking?