Luke 5

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,

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

And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.

Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.

And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.

And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.

And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.

When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.

For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:

And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.

And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him.

And he charged him to tell no man: but go, and shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.

But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities.

And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.

And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them.

And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him.

And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus.

And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.

And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?

But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts?

Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk?

But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.

And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.

And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day.

And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me.

And he left all, rose up, and followed him.

And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them.

But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?

And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.

I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink?

And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?

But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.

And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old.

And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish.

But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved.

No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.

What does Luke 5:13 mean?

Explanation

The verse Luke 5:13 captures a profound moment of healing performed by Jesus Christ.

In the narrative, a man afflicted with leprosy approaches Jesus, seeking cleansing.

Leprosy in biblical times was a term for various skin diseases, and it often resulted in the person being ritually unclean and excluded from society.

When Jesus says, "I will: be thou clean," he not only demonstrates his willingness to heal but also challenges societal norms by physically touching someone considered unclean.

The touch is significant, as it reflects Jesus' compassion and the breaking of barriers between clean and unclean.

The immediate departure of the leprosy underscores the divine power behind Jesus' authority to heal and to restore individuals back to their communities.

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Historical Context

During the period when this verse was written, leprosy was a feared disease that made individuals ritually unclean according to Jewish law. People with leprosy were isolated from society and lived in leper colonies.

The social stigma attached to leprosy was immense, making life for these individuals difficult and lonely. The fact that Jesus touched the leper was radical for that time, as it went against cultural norms and religious regulations.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological perspective, this verse illustrates the nature of Jesus' ministry as one that reaches out to the marginalized and heals not just physical maladies but also restores social relationships.

It also shows Jesus' divine authority over illness and impurity.

Theological interpretations from different denominations and scholars might emphasize Jesus' role as a healer in accordance with God's will, his challenge to Jewish purity laws, or his demonstration of compassion that crosses societal boundaries.

Practical Applications

In practical terms, Luke 5:13 can inspire individuals to express compassion towards those who are marginalized or stigmatized by society. It teaches the value of inclusivity and the act of reaching out to help others regardless of social norms.

The verse encourages believers to reflect on the nature of Jesus' love and to practice it in their daily interactions, particularly towards those who may be considered "unclean" or undesirable by societal standards.

Cross-References

Matthew 8:2-3: "And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean.

And immediately his leprosy was cleansed."

Mark 1:40-42: "And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.

And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed."

Language Study

A close analysis of the key Greek words in this verse offers deeper insight:

"put forth" (ἐκτείνας): to stretch out or extend.

Jesus made a deliberate action to reach out.

"touched" (ἥψατο): signifies physical contact, which was taboo for a person with leprosy.
"I will" (θέλω): denotes Jesus' volition or desire, indicating that his healing was intentional.
"be thou clean" (καθαρίσθητι): the command to be cleansed, signifying an authoritative healing that goes beyond physical cure to ritual purification.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In many ancient cultures, diseases like leprosy were often seen as divine punishment or as a result of impurity. Various religions had specific rituals for dealing with such diseases.

The Hebrew Bible outlines detailed laws concerning leprosy in Leviticus 13-14. By contrast, Jesus’ actions in this verse signal a departure from purely ritualistic approaches to disease and emphasize the role of compassion and divine authority in healing.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern science understands leprosy (now known as Hansen's disease) as a bacterial infection. Unlike in ancient times, it is treatable with antibiotics.

The concept of "immediate" healing as described in the verse is not aligned with today's medical treatment protocols, which require time for medication to take effect.

The miraculous healing in the verse invites reflections on the relationship between faith, divine intervention, and modern medicine.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and theologians have offered interpretations of Luke 5:13:

According to some commentaries, such as the Pulpit Commentary, Jesus' touch was a significant action because it showed that he was willing to share the burden of the leper, contrary to the laws of the time.
Matthew Henry's Commentary emphasizes the mercy and power of Christ, noting that Jesus was willing to heal and able to do so instantly.
The Expositor's Greek Testament highlights the spiritual symbolism of the act, suggesting that the leprosy represents sin and its separation, and Jesus' healing touch demonstrates the breaking down of such barriers.

Luke 5

Luke 5

What does Luke 5:13 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Luke 5:13 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?