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 5:7 mean?

Explanation

Luke 5:7 describes an event in the early ministry of Jesus Christ. After Jesus instructs the fishermen, including Simon Peter, to cast their nets into the deep water for a catch despite having caught nothing all night, they found their nets so full of fish that they started to break.

This verse portrays the immediate aftermath where the fishermen signal to their partners in another boat to come to help manage the overwhelming catch. It illustrates the abundance resulting from obedience to Jesus’ commands and foreshadows the spiritual abundance that Christ offers to believers.

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Historical Context

This event took place during the Roman occupation of Judea, in the early first century AD, when fishing was a common occupation around the Sea of Galilee.

The use of partners and multiple boats reflects the cooperative nature of the fishing industry at that time.

The story is set early in Jesus' ministry, focusing on His first interactions with those who would become His closest disciples.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this miracle is seen by many as symbolic of the disciples' future role as "fishers of men." The abundance of fish can represent the spread of the Gospel and the harvest of souls that the disciples would later bring into the kingdom of God.

In a broader sense, the passage illustrates divine provision and the concept that trust and obedience in God can lead to bountiful blessings.

Practical Applications

This verse encourages believers to call for and offer help within their community, acknowledging that blessings can be so abundant that they require collective effort to manage.

Furthermore, it challenges individuals to trust divine guidance, especially when it calls them to act against their own experience or intuition. The passage also acts as a reminder of the importance of partnership and collaboration in endeavors, spiritual or otherwise.

Cross-References

Matthew 4:19 - "And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."
Mark 1:17 - "And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men."
John 21:6 - "And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find.

They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes."

Language Study

Key words from the original Greek include:

"Beckoned" (κατένευσαν, katenenusan): This term indicates a nonverbal signal or nod, suggesting the urgency and excitement of the moment.
"Partners" (κοινωνοῖς, koinōnois): This term implies fellowship and participation in a business or enterprise, highlighting the collaborative relationship between the fishermen.
"Ships" (πλοία, ploia): Refers to the boats used for fishing, which were typically small, wooden, and powered by rowing and/or sailing.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In comparing this event with other ancient myths and religious interpretations, there are similarities to tales of divine intervention or blessing, such as the Cornucopia (horn of plenty) from Greek mythology, which symbolizes abundance.

This passage particularly emphasizes the divine's interaction with everyday labor and blessings found in the ordinary, a theme also observed in various religious traditions.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, the massive catch could be attributed to migratory patterns of fish or knowledge of the flora and fauna that Jesus, as a carpenter from the region, might have known.

However, believers maintain the event as miraculous, beyond the explanation of natural phenomena.

Commentaries

Many Bible scholars and commentators elaborate on multiple facets of Luke 5:7. They often note the miraculous nature of the catch, emphasizing Jesus’ divine power.

Commentators also explore the character of the disciples' immediate response to the crisis and readiness to seek assistance, drawing lessons about community, humility, and collaboration.

Some theologians delve deeper into the symbolism of the catch, relating it to evangelism and the Church's mission in the world.

Luke 5

Luke 5

What does Luke 5:7 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 5:7 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?