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 5:34 mean?

Explanation

Luke 5:34 presents a rhetorical question spoken by Jesus, which is part of a response to a question about fasting.

In the preceding verses, the Pharisees and the disciples of John the Baptist question why Jesus' disciples do not fast like they do.

Jesus' use of the analogy of the "children of the bridechamber" (the wedding guests) and the "bridegroom" (referring to himself) expresses that the time his disciples spend with him is a time of joy, making it inappropriate to fast.

Fasting is typically associated with mourning or penitence, suggesting that while Jesus is present with them, it is a time for celebration, not for fasting and sadness.

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Historical Context

The passage is situated within the context of Jewish customs and the early part of Jesus’ ministry. Fasting was an integral part of Jewish religious practice, often carried out as a sign of mourning or repentance.

However, weddings were times of great celebration, often lasting a whole week, during which fasting would have been very much out of place. By likening his presence to that of a bridegroom at a wedding feast, Jesus is providing a cultural logic for why his disciples do not fast.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse has been interpreted from a Christological standpoint to highlight the person of Jesus as the bridegroom, a theme encountered in other parts of scripture that depicts the messianic banquet and the eventual union of Christ with the church (his bride).

From an eschatological perspective, it points to the celebratory nature of Jesus’ first advent and the eventual consummation to come.

Several Christian traditions also see the verse as emphasizing the distinction between old covenant practices, such as ritual fasting, and the new covenant in Christ, where relationship and joy in God's presence take precedence.

Practical Applications

The teachings of this verse can be applied to the understanding that spiritual disciplines such as fasting are not ends in themselves but are to be appropriately timed and integrated into one's relationship with God.

Moreover, the verse encourages believers to embrace the joy of the Lord, recognizing the importance of being in God's presence and having a relationship with Jesus as pivotal to Christian life.

Cross-References

Matthew 9:15: "And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast."
Mark 2:19-20: "And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.

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

Language Study

The key word "bridechamber" (Greek: νυμφών, numphon) refers to the bridal room or the place associated with wedding celebrations.

"Bridegroom" (Greek: νυμφίος, nymphios) is used here as a metaphor for Jesus himself.

The terminology is steeped in Jewish wedding customs, which were occasions of great joy. The language emphasizes the communal and celebratory aspects of Jesus' presence, drawing a sharp contrast to the act of fasting.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Ancient cultures, not only Jewish, often had elaborate wedding rituals; feasting and celebration were universally important aspects.

The metaphor of the bridegroom used by Jesus is significant and not unique to Christianity; it is found in other religious texts as a symbol of divine union or presence.

For example, in Hinduism, there is the symbolism of the divine marriage between the god Shiva and the goddess Parvati.

In ancient Greek mythology, the marriage of gods like Zeus and Hera also holds similar significance.

Scientific Perspectives

While this verse does not directly intersect with scientific claims, the reference to behavior during life events such as weddings could be explored from the perspective of anthropology and sociology.

These sciences study human behavior and cultural practices, offering insight into the universality of feasting and fasting as significant cultural expressions that mark social transitions or states.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and commentators often emphasize the christological and eschatological significance of the verse.

William Barclay describes the image of the bridegroom as a clear claim to messiahship by Jesus.

The Expositor's Bible Commentary notes that this verse indicates a departure from traditional Jewish practices, marking the joyous arrival of the new covenant.

The MacArthur Study Bible underscores that the presence of Jesus inaugurated a new era, rendering old rituals temporarily suspended due to the significance of his incarnational ministry.

Luke 5

Luke 5

What does Luke 5:34 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 5:34 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?