Luke 5:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets.

NIV: He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets.

NASB: and He saw two boats lying at the edge of the lake; but the fishermen had gotten out of them and were washing their nets.

CSB: He saw two boats at the edge of the lake; the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets.

NLT: He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets.

KJV: And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.

NKJV: and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets.

Jesus is speaking to a crowd on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. To hear Him better—and probably touch Him and be healed—the people have crowded around Him. Jesus climbs into a nearby boat so the people can hear Him better as sound travels well over water (Luke 5:3).

This verse varies slightly from the parallel accounts. Matthew and Mark say Peter and Andrew are "casting a net into the sea" (Matthew 4:18; Mark 1:16) while Luke says "fishermen" are washing their nets without specifically mentioning Andrew. Are these two separate accounts? Possibly. Or maybe Peter and Andrew aren't flinging their nets to fish but to wash them. And maybe the Holy Spirit didn't lead Luke to include Andrew because Peter's actions are more important to Luke's theme of humility (Luke 5:8).

This brings up an important topic. The synoptic Gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke—are called so because they are very similar, sometimes down to the wording. But they aren't identical. The Holy Spirit had specific goals for each of the Gospels and inspired the writers, informing them what to include, what to leave out, and what order to put things. That doesn't mean there are contradictions between the Gospels.

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.