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 5:29 mean?

Explanation

Luke 5:29 recounts an event in the Gospel where Levi (also known as Matthew), a tax collector, after being called by Jesus to follow Him ('And he left all, rose up, and followed him.' Luke 5:28), hosts a large banquet in his house.

The event is significant as it includes a "great company of publicans and of others" who were considered sinners by the Pharisees and the scribes.

Jesus' attendance at this feast, dining with tax collectors and sinners, illustrates His mission to reach out to those who were marginalized and despised by the religious elite of the time.

This event was meant to show that Jesus' message of redemption and love was inclusive of all individuals, regardless of their social status or past transgressions.

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

During the time of Jesus, tax collectors were largely despised by Jewish society.

They were often viewed as traitors and sinners because they worked for the Roman occupiers and were known for collecting more than the required taxes for their own gain.

Feasts like the one Levi held were common social events, but the inclusion of such a guest list would have been shocking to the religious leaders.

This passage is set during the early part of Jesus' public ministry in Galilee, highlighting the kind of people He reached out to and the societal norms He challenged.

Theological Insights

From a theological viewpoint, Luke 5:29 provides insight into Jesus' mission to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10).

In traditional Judaism, purity laws were significant, and associating with tax collectors and sinners would have made a person ceremonially unclean.

Jesus breaks these barriers by showing that God's love and grace are extended to everyone.

This verse reflects the core Christian belief that salvation and forgiveness are offered to all, not just to a select group of righteous individuals.

Practical Applications

Luke 5:29 encourages individuals to extend hospitality and friendship to those who are marginalized or judged within society. It confronts prejudices and encourages inclusiveness and compassion, by following Jesus’ example.

Christians are inspired to reach out to all kinds of people, regardless of their backgrounds or lifestyles, embracing them with love rather than judgment.

Cross-References

Matthew 9:10-11: "And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples."
Mark 2:15-16: "And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him."
Luke 15:1-2: "Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.

And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them."

Matthew 11:19: "The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners.

But wisdom is justified of her children."

Language Study

Two key terms in Luke 5:29 are "publicans" (τελώναι, telōnai) and "sinners" (ἁμαρτωλοί, hamartōloi).

Telōnai refers to the tax collectors working for the Roman Empire, often perceived as corrupt and disloyal to their own people.

Hamartōloi covers a wider category of individuals who were seen as breaking the Jewish law, leading immoral lives, or being non-observant Jews.

The use of these terms by Luke highlights the social and moral divide perceived by the Pharisees between themselves and these groups.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In many ancient cultures, including Greco-Roman and Jewish societies, meals were more than just occasions for eating.

They were events laden with social and religious significance, defining community and religious boundaries.

In this context, Jesus' actions are revolutionary as they challenge the exclusionary practices of the time.

This approach can be contrasted with other religious traditions that may have strict codes of purity and practices of ostracism for those not adhering to prescribed norms.

Scientific Perspectives

The scientific perspective might not directly relate to this verse, but it can provide insights into the dietary habits and health implications of meals in ancient times.

Additionally, modern psychology offers understanding into the social dynamics of inclusion and exclusion, as well as the impact of social belonging on individual well-being, which is indirectly touched upon by Jesus' inclusive actions during the meal at Levi's house.

Commentaries

Expert biblical commentators offer varying insights into Luke 5:29.

Some emphasize the subversive nature of Jesus' actions in relation to the Jewish purity laws of His time.

Others focus on the transformative power of Jesus’ fellowship with sinners as a demonstration of God’s grace.

Conservative commentators might stress personal repentance and conversion as integral to the story, as evidenced by Levi's response to Jesus, while more progressive commentators may highlight the social justice implications, pointing out Jesus' challenge to the stigma and alienation experienced by marginalized groups.

Luke 5

Luke 5

What does Luke 5:29 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 5:29 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?