Luke 5

This is the first time Luke records Jesus calling the disciples to follow him. Matthew and Mark describe an earlier calling of the four brothers who were fishermen (Matthew 4:18–22; Mark 1:16–20). Jesus showed great authority in the miraculous catch of fish and in his call of Simon Peter.

And sitting down, He taught the people from the boat: By sitting a little away from the shore, Jesus had a place to speak without the people pressing against him.

let down your nets for a catch: Peter was naturally unsure when a teacher told fishermen how to catch fish. It seemed strange for three reasons:

1. When the sun rose, the fish went down to the bottom of the lake. This is why they usually fished at night.

2. They used a heavy net that hung from the side of the boat, held by two men (or stretched between two boats), so they could not fish in deep water.

3. They had just fished all night and caught nothing, so it now seemed even less likely they would catch anything.

• James and John were in the other boat. Along with their father Zebedee, they were business partners with Peter and Andrew (see 5:10; Mark 1:19–20; Mark 1:16).

• boats so full that they began to sink: This dramatic and amazing event showed the authority of Jesus over the forces of nature.

I am a sinful man: Compare Isaiah 6:5.

Jesus used fishing as a picture to explain how his followers would gather people into the kingdom of God.

they left everything: They gave up their work, security, and family ties, which was remarkable in a culture that placed great importance on loyalty to family and clan.

who was covered with leprosy: In ancient times, leprosy did not refer only to the modern disease known as leprosy (Hansen's disease). It included various skin problems. To prevent it from spreading, ancient societies forced lepers to live on the edges of communities. The law of Moses gave instructions for how to identify and isolate leprosy (Leviticus 13–14).

• Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man: Most people feared catching the disease through physical contact. But Jesus showed compassion. Neither disease nor evil could contaminate him. Instead, he brought healing and salvation.

• Be clean!: This act had spiritual and physical significance, since leprosy separated Israelites from social contact and religious practice.

• Jesus often told those he healed not to tell anyone. He did this to avoid drawing too much public attention. But news about these events spread quickly (see 5:15–16; see also “The Secret of the Messiah” Theme Note).

• go, show yourself to the priest and present the offering: A priest had to declare that those healed of leprosy were clean. Then the priest would offer a sacrifice on their behalf.

• Pharisees: The Pharisees were a group of Jewish teachers who carefully followed the law of Moses and their traditions. See “The Pharisees” Profile.

• teachers of the law: These teachers were also called scribes and lawyers. They were experts in explaining the law of Moses. Most teachers of the law were Pharisees, but some were Sadducees. The Sadducees were another Jewish group who had different beliefs, especially about the law and the resurrection (life after death).

The healing of the paralyzed man began the conflicts between Jesus and the religious leaders that continued through his public ministry until his crucifixion in Jerusalem.

through the tiles: Houses in Palestine usually had flat roofs made from wooden beams covered with reeds and mud or clay. This roof may have had tiles. Or Luke may have described it this way for his Greek audience.

Knowing what they were thinking: While the Pharisees accused Jesus of blasphemy (showing disrespect toward God), he knew what was in their minds. This is something only God can do.

Jesus showed his authority to forgive sins by healing the man.

Son of Man: See “The Son of Man” Theme Note.

• tax collector: See study note on 3:12.

• Levi's tax booth was likely a place to collect money for transporting items.

• Levi was also called Matthew (Matthew 9:9; see “Matthew (Levi)” Profile).

When Jesus called Levi to become his disciple, this led to a second conflict with the religious leaders. It also introduced the idea that Jesus came to save sinners.

a great banquet for Jesus: Levi introduced Jesus to his friends and fellow tax collectors to thank him for making Levi a disciple. It was common in the ancient world to repay honor with honor.

Meals showed a person’s social standing in the ancient world. Eating with someone meant you accepted them. The Pharisees refused to eat with tax collectors and other sinners or to enter their homes. They believed this would make them unclean. They expected Jesus, as a rabbi (a Jewish teacher), to do the same.

But Jesus broke these social rules. He ate with sinners and allowed sinful people to touch him (5:29; 7:39; 15:1). The religious leaders strongly criticized him for this and mockingly called him “a friend of tax collectors and sinners” (7:34).

Jesus responded that, like a doctor, his mission was to work with sick people, not the healthy. Jesus was not called to minister to self-righteous people, but to those who recognized their spiritual need for God’s grace and healing.

• John’s disciples: Most Jewish rabbis had students who learned from them and served them (see also Acts 19:1–7).

• frequently fast and pray: Many devout Jews fasted two days a week (Luke 18:12). Fasting was associated with spiritual preparation and repentance (Esther 4:16; 2 Samuel 12:22; Joel 1:14; Jonah 3:5). Fasting is not a way to become righteous (to be made right with God; Isaiah 58:4–5; Jeremiah 14:12). But it is a spiritual pratice that helps a person become closer to God. Fasting is often connected to prayer and spiritual retreat.

• but Yours keep on eating and drinking: The point was that they did not fast regularly.

Can you make the guests of the bridegroom fast: Just as it would be inappropriate for anyone to fast at a wedding celebration, it was inappropriate for people to fast while the Christ (the Messiah, God's chosen king) was with them. God’s final salvation is a great wedding feast that God prepares for his people (Isaiah 25:6–8; Luke 14:15–24).

a new garment … new wine: New cloth shrinks when it is washed and can tear old cloth. New wine expands as it ferments and can burst old, brittle wineskins. In both cases, both the old and the new are ruined.

These examples show that the old and the new do not work well together. Jesus did not come to patch up the old covenant, but to bring a new one. The kingdom of God brings a new way of thinking and living.

The old is better: The religious leaders were resistant to change.