Luke 5:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret,

NIV: One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God.

NASB: Now it happened that while the crowd was pressing around Him and listening to the word of God, He was standing by the lake of Gennesaret;

CSB: As the crowd was pressing in on Jesus to hear God’s word, he was standing by Lake Gennesaret.

NLT: One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God.

KJV: 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,

NKJV: So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret,

Although Luke places his overall Gospel in historical context (Luke 3:1–2), his "orderly account" (Luke 1:3) is not chronological in every detail. Even more than Matthew and Mark, Luke arranges events in Jesus' Galilean ministry by theme. This was a common feature of ancient writing. The theme of Luke 5:1—6:16 is the call of the Twelve to discipleship and the introduction of the new covenant.

Jesus is on the shores of the "lake of Gennesaret," another name for the Sea of Galilee, surrounded by a crowd. Jesus gets distance from the throng by jumping in Peter's boat. For his trouble, Jesus makes sure Peter gets a good catch (Luke 5:2–7). While Luke gives more detail about the fishing, Matthew gives more detail about the "word of God." The theme of Jesus' teaching is "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 4:17), a continuation of John the Baptist's call (Matthew 3:11).

Scholars debate over whether Luke 5:1–11 records the same event as Matthew 4:18–22 and Mark 1:16–20. The order of Jesus' teaching at the synagogue, His healing of Peter's mother-in-law, and the calling of the fishermen are slightly different in each. Ultimately, it doesn't matter. The Gospel writers do not promise strict chronology and we can learn much about their themes and priorities by how they ordered their stories.

Luke 5:1–11 records Jesus' first call to specific disciples and the importance of humility for His followers. Andrew and Peter met Jesus before (John 1:35–42) and likely know of Jesus' power and authority (Luke 4:31–44). When Jesus uses that power to directly bless the fishermen, Peter humbly acknowledges his unworthiness. Peter, Andrew, James, and John leave everything to follow Jesus. Luke continues by showing the importance of cleanness, forgiveness in response to faith, and repentance. Matthew 4:18–22 and Mark 1:16–20 also record Jesus' call to the four fishermen but not the fishing; John 21 provides a parallel scene after Jesus' resurrection.

Luke 5 continues Jesus' Galilean Ministry (Luke 4:14—9:50). The passage alternates calls to discipleship with miracles and teachings which demonstrate what discipleship entails. Jesus calls Peter, Andrew, and their business partners, James and John, to follow Him and make more disciples. Then Jesus makes a man with leprosy ceremonially clean. He forgives the sins of a paralytic. After He calls Levi to follow Him, Jesus celebrates instead of fasting. This draws critical questions from the crowd. The religious leaders consider Jesus' actions blasphemous. His message of forgiveness, faith, and repentance cannot be contained by their tradition.

Jesus has already proved He can expel demons, heal ailments, and reveal the kingdom of God (Luke 4:31–44). In this chapter, He begins to separate His followers from His detractors. This begins with calling the first five disciples and emphasizing faith and repentance over religious tradition. He will drive home the point by treating the Sabbath as a blessing rather than a burden (Luke 6:1–11). After formally inviting the Twelve to follow Him, Jesus will explain to a crowd what discipleship looks like and invite them to build their lives on Him (Luke 6:12–49). In chapter 7, Jesus champions Gentiles and the marginalized.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.