Luke 5
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
The people pressed upon him - There was a glorious prospect of a plentiful harvest, but how few of these blades came to full corn in the ear! To hear with diligence and affection is well; but a preacher of the Gospel may expect that, out of crowds of hearers, only a few, comparatively, will fully receive the truth, and hold out to the end. To hear the word of God - Του λογον του Θεου, The doctrine of God, or, the heavenly doctrine. The lake of Gennesaret - Called also the sea of Galilee, Mat 4:18, and Mar 1:16; and the sea of Tiberias, Joh 6:1. It was, according to Josephus, forty furlongs in breadth, and one hundred and forty in length. No synagogue could have contained the multitudes who attended our Lord's ministry; and therefore he was obliged to preach in the open air. But this also some of the most eminent rabbins were in the habit of doing; though among some of their brethren it was not deemed reputable.
Open source ↗MIRACULOUS DRAUGHT OF FISHES--CALL OF PETER, JAMES, AND JOHN. (Luk 5:1-11) taught . . . out of the ship--(See on Mat 13:2).
Open source ↗And it came to pass, that as the people pressed upon him,.... As Christ went through Galilee, and preached in the synagogues there, great crowds of people attended on him, and they followed him wherever he went; and so large were their numbers, and so very eager were they to see him, and hear him, that they were even troublesome to him, and bore hard upon him, and were ready to press him down, though they had no ill design upon him, but only to hear the word of God; the scriptures of the Old Testament explained, and the doctrines of the Gospel preached; and which were preached by him, as never were before or since, and in such a manner as were not by the Scribes and Pharisees; and both the matter and manner of his ministry drew a vast concourse of people after him: he stood by the lake of Gennesaret; the same with the sea of Chinnereth, Num 34:11 where the Targums of Onkelos, Jonathan, and the Jerusalem, call it, , "the sea of Geausar" or "Gennesaret": and so it is elsewhere called (a), and is the same which is called the sea of Galilee, and of Tiberias, Joh 6:1 and is, by other writers (b), as here, called the lake of Gennesaret, and said to be sixteen miles long, and six broad. Josephus says (c), it is forty furlongs broad, and an hundred long. The Jews say (d), that "the holy, blessed God created seven seas, but chose none of them all, but the sea of Gennesaret.'' And indeed, it was a place chosen by Christ, and honoured, and made famous by him, by his preaching at it, his miracles upon it, and showing himself there after his resurrection. (a) Targum in Ezek. xxxix. 11. Zohar in Gen. fol. 3. 2. & 17. 2. & in Exod. fol. 52. 4. & 61. 4. (b) Plin. l. 5. c. 15. Solin, c. 48. Ptolom. l. 5. c. 15. (c) De Bello Jud. l. 3. c. 18. (d) Pirke Eliezer, c. 18.
Open source ↗This passage of story fell, in order of time, before the two miracles we had in the close of the foregoing chapter, and is the same with that which was more briefly related by Matthew and Mark, of Christ's calling Peter and Andrew to be fishers of men, Mat 4:18, and Mar 1:16. They had not related this miraculous draught of fishes at that time, having only in view the calling of his disciples; but Luke gives us that story as one of the many signs which Jesus did in the presence of his disciples, which had not been written in the foregoing books, Joh 20:30, Joh 20:31. Observe here, I. What vast crowds attended Christ's preaching: The people pressed upon him to hear the word of God (Luk 5:1), insomuch that no house would contain them, but he was forced to draw them out to the strand, that they might be reminded of the promise made to Abraham, that his seed should be as the sand upon the sea shore (Gen 22:17), and yet of them but a remnant shall be saved, Rom 9:27. The people flocked about him (so the word signifies); they showed respect to his preaching, though not without some rudeness to his person, which was very excusable, for they pressed upon him. Some would reckon this a discredit to him, to be thus cried up by the vulgar, when none of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him; but he reckoned it an honour to him, for their souls were as precious as the souls of the grandees, and it is his aim to bring not so much the mighty as the many sons to God. It was foretold concerning him that to him shall the gathering of the people be. Christ was a popular preacher; and though he was able, at twelve, to dispute with the doctors, yet he chose, at thirty, to preach to the capacity of the vulgar. See how the people relished good preaching, though under all external disad…
Open source ↗5:1-11 This is the first call of disciples recorded in Luke; Matthew and Mark recount a (presumably earlier) call of the four fishermen brothers (Matt 4:18-22; Mark 1:16-20). Jesus demonstrated extraordinary authority in the miraculous catch of fish and in his call of Simon Peter.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ὄχλος (óchlos, G3793) — a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people;… ἐπίκειμαι (epíkeimai, G1945) — to rest upon (literally or figuratively) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἀκούω (akoúō, G191) — to hear (in various senses) λόγος (lógos, G3056) — something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse),… θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἦν (ēn, G2258) — I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were) ἵστημι (hístēmi, G2476) — to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or… παρά (pará, G3844) — properly, near; i.e. (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with… λίμνη (límnē, G3041) — a pond (large or small)
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… εἴδω (eídō, G1492) — used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700… δύο (dýo, G1417) — "two" πλοῖον (ploîon, G4143) — a sailer, i.e. vessel ἵστημι (hístēmi, G2476) — to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or… παρά (pará, G3844) — properly, near; i.e. (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with… λίμνη (límnē, G3041) — a pond (large or small) δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ἁλιεύς (halieús, G231) — a sailor (as engaged on the salt water), i.e. (by implication) a fisher ἀποβαίνω (apobaínō, G576) — literally, to disembark; figuratively, to eventuate ἀπό (apó, G575) — "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation;… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἀποπλύνω (apoplýnō, G637) — to rinse off δίκτυον (díktyon, G1350) — a seine (for fishing)
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ἐμβαίνω (embaínō, G1684) — to walk on, i.e. embark (aboard a vessel), reach (a pool) εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… εἷς (heîs, G1520) — one πλοῖον (ploîon, G4143) — a sailer, i.e. vessel ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that ἦν (ēn, G2258) — I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were) Σίμων (Símōn, G4613) — Simon (i.e. Shimon), the name of nine Israelites ἐρωτάω (erōtáō, G2065) — to interrogate; by implication, to request αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἐπανάγω (epanágō, G1877) — to lead up on, i.e. (technical) to put out (to sea); (intransitively) to return ὀλίγος (olígos, G3641) — puny (in extent, degree, number, duration or value); especially neuter (adverbially)… ἀπό (apó, G575) — "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation;… γῆ (gē, G1093) — soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe…
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ὡς (hōs, G5613) — which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows) παύω (paúō, G3973) — to stop (transitively or intransitively), i.e. restrain, quit, desist, come to an end λαλέω (laléō, G2980) — to talk, i.e. utter words ἔπω (épō, G2036) — to speak or say (by word or writing) πρός (prós, G4314) — a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of,… Σίμων (Símōn, G4613) — Simon (i.e. Shimon), the name of nine Israelites ἐπανάγω (epanágō, G1877) — to lead up on, i.e. (technical) to put out (to sea); (intransitively) to return εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… βάθος (báthos, G899) — profundity, i.e. (by implication) extent; (figuratively) mystery καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… χαλάω (chaláō, G5465) — to lower (as into a void) ὑμῶν (hymōn, G5216) — of (from or concerning) you δίκτυον (díktyon, G1350) — a seine (for fishing)
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… Σίμων (Símōn, G4613) — Simon (i.e. Shimon), the name of nine Israelites ἀποκρίνομαι (apokrínomai, G611) — to conclude for oneself, i.e. (by implication) to respond; by Hebraism (compare H06030)… ἔπω (épō, G2036) — to speak or say (by word or writing) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἐπιστάτης (epistátēs, G1988) — an appointee over, i.e. commander (teacher) κοπιάω (kopiáō, G2872) — to feel fatigue; by implication, to work hard ὅλος (hólos, G3650) — "whole" or "all", i.e. complete (in extent, amount, time or degree), especially (neuter)… διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) νύξ (nýx, G3571) — "night" (literally or figuratively) λαμβάνω (lambánō, G2983) — while G138 (αἱρέομαι) is more violent, to seize or remove)) οὐδείς (oudeís, G3762) — not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e. none, nobody, nothing δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of…
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ποιέω (poiéō, G4160) — to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct) τοῦτο (toûto, G5124) — that thing συγκλείω (synkleíō, G4788) — to shut together, i.e. include or (figuratively) embrace in a common subjection to πολύς (polýs, G4183) — (singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial,… πλῆθος (plēthos, G4128) — a fulness, i.e. a large number, throng, populace ἰχθύς (ichthýs, G2486) — a fish δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… δίκτυον (díktyon, G1350) — a seine (for fishing) διαῤῥήσσω (diarrhḗssō, G1284) — to tear asunder
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… κατανεύω (kataneúō, G2656) — to nod down (towards), i.e. (by analogy) to make signs to μέτοχος (métochos, G3353) — participant, i.e. (as noun) a sharer; by implication, an associate ὁ (ho, G3588) — the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom) ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ἕτερος (héteros, G2087) — (an-, the) other or different πλοῖον (ploîon, G4143) — a sailer, i.e. vessel ἔρχομαι (érchomai, G2064) — to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) συλλαμβάνω (syllambánō, G4815) — to clasp, i.e. seize (arrest, capture); specially, to conceive (literally or… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… πλήθω (plḗthō, G4130) — to "fill" (literally or figuratively (imbue, influence, supply)); specially, to fulfil… ἀμφότερος (amphóteros, G297) — (in plural) both ὥστε (hṓste, G5620) — so too, i.e. thus therefore (in various relations of consecution, as follow) βυθίζω (bythízō, G1036) — to sink; by implication, to drown
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. Σίμων (Símōn, G4613) — Simon (i.e. Shimon), the name of nine Israelites Πέτρος (Pétros, G4074) — a (piece of) rock (larger than G3037 (λίθος)); as a name, Petrus, an apostle εἴδω (eídō, G1492) — used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700… προσπίπτω (prospíptō, G4363) — to fall towards, i.e. (gently) prostrate oneself (in supplication or homage), or… Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites γόνυ (góny, G1119) — the "knee" λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… ἐξέρχομαι (exérchomai, G1831) — to issue (literally or figuratively) ἀπό (apó, G575) — "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation;… ἐμοῦ (emoû, G1700) — of me ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because εἰμί (eimí, G1510) — I exist (used only when emphatic) ἁμαρτωλός (hamartōlós, G268) — sinful, i.e. a sinner
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… περιέχω (periéchō, G4023) — to hold all around, i.e. include, clasp (figuratively) θάμβος (thámbos, G2285) — stupefaction (by surprise), i.e. astonishment καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole σύν (sýn, G4862) — with or together (but much closer than G3326 (μετά) or G3844 (παρά)), i.e. by… ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… ἄγρα (ágra, G61) — (abstractly) a catching (of fish); also (concretely) a haul (of fish) ἰχθύς (ichthýs, G2486) — a fish ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that συλλαμβάνω (syllambánō, G4815) — to clasp, i.e. seize (arrest, capture); specially, to conceive (literally or…
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ὁμοίως (homoíōs, G3668) — similarly καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… Ἰάκωβος (Iákōbos, G2385) — Jacobus, the name of three Israelites Ἰωάννης (Iōánnēs, G2491) — Joannes (i.e. Jochanan), the name of four Israelites υἱός (huiós, G5207) — a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively,… Ζεβεδαῖος (Zebedaîos, G2199) — Zebedæus, an Israelite ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that ἦν (ēn, G2258) — I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were) κοινωνός (koinōnós, G2844) — a sharer, i.e. associate Σίμων (Símōn, G4613) — Simon (i.e. Shimon), the name of nine Israelites Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites ἔπω (épō, G2036) — to speak or say (by word or writing) πρός (prós, G4314) — a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of,…
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… κατάγω (katágō, G2609) — to lead down; specially, to moor a vessel πλοῖον (ploîon, G4143) — a sailer, i.e. vessel ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… γῆ (gē, G1093) — soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe… ἀφίημι (aphíēmi, G863) — an intensive form of , to go); to send forth, in various applications (as follow) ἅπας (hápas, G537) — absolutely all or (singular) every one ἀκολουθέω (akolouthéō, G190) — properly, to be in the same way with, i.e. to accompany (specially, as a disciple) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the…
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… εἶναι (eînai, G1511) — to exist ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. μία (mía, G3391) — one or first πόλις (pólis, G4172) — a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size) ἰδού (idoú, G2400) — used as imperative lo!; ἀνήρ (anḗr, G435) — a man (properly as an individual male) πλήρης (plḗrēs, G4134) — replete, or covered over; by analogy, complete λέπρα (lépra, G3014) — scaliness, i.e. "leprosy" εἴδω (eídō, G1492) — used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700… Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites πίπτω (píptō, G4098) — to fall (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἐκτείνω (ekteínō, G1614) — to extend χείρ (cheír, G5495) — the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by Hebraism) a means or… ἅπτομαι (háptomai, G680) — properly, to attach oneself to, i.e. to touch (in many implied relations) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἔπω (épō, G2036) — to speak or say (by word or writing) θέλω (thélō, G2309) — to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas G1014 (βούλομαι)… καθαρίζω (katharízō, G2511) — to cleanse (literally or figuratively) εὐθέως (euthéōs, G2112) — directly, i.e. at once or soon λέπρα (lépra, G3014) — scaliness, i.e. "leprosy" ἀπέρχομαι (apérchomai, G565) — to go off (i.e. depart), aside (i.e. apart) or behind (i.e. follow), literally or… ἀπό (apó, G575) — "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation;…
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… παραγγέλλω (parangéllō, G3853) — to transmit a message, i.e. (by implication) to enjoin ἔπω (épō, G2036) — to speak or say (by word or writing) μηδείς (mēdeís, G3367) — not even one (man, woman, thing) ἀλλά (allá, G235) — properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations) ἀπέρχομαι (apérchomai, G565) — to go off (i.e. depart), aside (i.e. apart) or behind (i.e. follow), literally or… δεικνύω (deiknýō, G1166) — to show (literally or figuratively) σεαυτοῦ (seautoû, G4572) — of (with, to) thyself ἱερεύς (hiereús, G2409) — a priest (literally or figuratively) προσφέρω (prosphérō, G4374) — to bear towards, i.e. lead to, tender (especially to God), treat περί (perí, G4012) — properly, through (all over), i.e. around; figuratively with respect to; used in various… σοῦ (soû, G4675) — of thee, thy καθαρισμός (katharismós, G2512) — a washing off, i.e. (ceremonially) ablution, (morally) expiation
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Jesus asked His disciples to have a boat ready for Him so that the crowd would not crush Him.
When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret.
When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and moored the boat.
as well as the Arabah east of the Sea of Chinnereth to the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea), eastward through Beth-jeshimoth, and southward below the slopes of Pisgah.
So Jesus went with him, and a large crowd followed and pressed around Him.
From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subject to violence, and the violent lay claim to it.
The Jordan River in the Arabah bordered it from Chinnereth to the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea) with the slopes of Pisgah to the east.
In the meantime, a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling one another. Jesus began to speak first to His disciples: “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
then go down from Shepham to Riblah on the east side of Ain and continue along the slopes east of the Sea of Chinnereth.
“Who touched Me?” Jesus asked. But they all denied it. “Master,” said Peter, “the people are crowding and pressing against You.”