Miracles of Jesus Table

5:1 the lake of Gennesaret Refers to the Sea of Galilee. Gennesaret (or Ginnesar) was a village located next to Capernaum, so Jesus was likely within its vicinity.

5:2 two boats there beside the lake Belonging to Simon Peter, James, and John (see Luke 5:10).

5:3 began to teach the crowds from the boat Compare Matt 13:2–3.

5:4 let down your nets for a catch Jesus seems to be responding to their lack of success the night before (Luke 5:5).

5:5 at your word I will let down the nets Luke portrays Peter (also called Simon) as pious and ready to obey Jesus (compare Luke 5:8).

5:7 they signaled This group likely includes Andrew, Peter’s brother, since they fished together; this may also be a parallel, expanded account of Jesus’ calling of these disciples recorded in Matthew’s Gospel (see Matt 4:18). Luke likely leaves Andrew unnamed because the purpose of this episode is to record the calling of Jesus’ three most influential disciples (see note on Lk 8:51).

their partners in the other boat James and John (v. 10).

they began to sink A massive amount of fish. This catch was clearly understood to be supernatural, as Peter’s response indicates (v. 8).

5:8 Depart from me, Lord, because I am a sinful man Peter believed Jesus’ messianic claims, and this event confirmed his belief. He was aware of his sinfulness and considered himself unworthy to be near Yahweh’s Messiah.

5:10 you will be catching people A parallel account appears in Matt 4:18–22.

5:12 leprosy The Greek word used here could refer to a variety of skin diseases, including leprosy itself. Leprosy damages the skin, nerves, limbs, and eyes. It was thought to be highly contagious in this period and was greatly feared.

clean Refers to ceremonial cleanness according to the law (Lev 13:2–3). The man’s condition renders him unclean, and he asks Jesus to heal him (see Lev 13–14).

5:14 Tell no one Jesus was strategic about revealing His identity as the Messiah. See note on 8:56.

show yourself to the priest As a means of verification and validation (see Lev 14:1–32).

5:16 withdrawing in the wilderness and praying Rather than embracing His widespread fame, Jesus escapes to the wilderness to commune with His Father (compare Luke 4:42). Luke’s inclusion of this detail highlights distinctive features of Jesus’ ministry: prayer, reliance on God the Father, and a determination to do His will.

5:17 Pharisees and teachers of the law The Pharisees were Jewish religious authorities (not priests) who promoted strict adherence to the law of Moses (see note on John 7:32). Luke’s reference to teachers of the law probably is synonymous with the group mentioned in Luke 5:21 (see note on v. 21).

the power of the Lord was there The details of this verse are not found in Matthew’s or Mark’s account of the paralytic’s healing. The presence of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law—along with the description of Yahweh’s healing power being present in Jesus—sets the stage for Jesus’ miracle and His subsequent dispute with the religious authorities.

Jesus and His Witnesses as Prophets in Luke—Acts

5:19 let him down through the roof tiles Luke’s telling of this miracle reflects Mark’s tradition and includes many details that Matthew omits. This part of the story shows the great faith of the paralytic and his attendants; they are willing to do whatever is necessary in order to reach Jesus.

5:20 When he saw their faith Jesus often associates faith and healing (e.g., 7:9, 50; 8:48; 17:19; 18:42).

5:21 scribes Refers to trained interpreters of the law of Moses. In Luke, they are sometimes linked with the Pharisees (e.g., 6:7; 11:53) and sometimes with the chief priests (e.g., 19:47; 20:19; 22:2).

blasphemies Sacrilegious or irreverent speech about God. Such an act—depending on the context of the offense—was punishable by death under the law (Lev 24:16).

5:23 which is easier to say The effects of forgiving sins could not be verified, but a miracle could be. In the verse that follows, Jesus takes the harder option and tells the man to stand up and walk. This exchange with the Pharisees sets up the healing to demonstrate Jesus’ authority to forgive sins.

5:24 the Son of Man has authority The theme of this section. The title Son of Man can convey several meanings; Jesus uses it here with Messianic connotations (see Matt 8:20 and note).

5:27 tax collector A profession associated with corruption, greed, and sin. See note on Luke 3:12.

Levi Another name for Matthew (compare Matt 9:9), one of Jesus’ 12 disciples and author of the Gospel of Matthew.

Follow me An invitation to discipleship.

5:30 eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners The religious leaders frequently criticize Jesus over His fellowship with people viewed as unrighteous outcasts (e.g., Luke 15:2; 19:7).

5:31 Those who are healthy Refers to the Pharisees and scribes (teachers of the law), who were spiritually well in their own eyes.

physician A reference to Jesus and His healing, reconciling ministry.

those who are sick Alludes to tax collectors and sinners (v. 30).

5:32 I have not come to call Jesus is not interested in the self-righteousness of the Pharisees. Rather, He seeks to redeem the outcasts of society and calls them to discipleship. Compare 15:7 and note.

Parables of Jesus Table

5:33 fast Abstention from food for religious purposes.

5:34 So he said to them Jesus presents three brief metaphors. In the first, He uses the story of a bridegroom to show that His ministry is a reason to celebrate. Similar imagery occurs in Rev 19:6–9.

5:35 when the bridegroom is taken away Jesus alludes to His crucifixion.

5:36 a patch from a new garment Removing a section of the new garment would ruin it while not sufficiently helping the old garment.

5:37 new wine into old wineskins New wineskins are slightly elastic, allowing them to accommodate the fermentation process without rupturing. See note on Matt 9:17.

5:39 The old is just fine This saying is found only in Luke. Jesus’ point seems to be that those who are content with the current way of doing things tend to resist anything new—even when it involves God’s work of salvation.