Read the Passage: Luke 5:1–26

Listen to the Redeemed Mind Podcast: Luke 5:1–26

Disciples are Called (5:1–11)

While the crowds were attracted to Jesus’ miracles, they also were drawn to His teaching, for Christ taught with authority and power. Luke begins chapter five with the observation that “the multitude [was] pressed about Him to hear the Word of God” (Luke 5:1a). This occurred early in Jesus’ Galilean ministry as “He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret” (Luke 5:1b). In the Gospels this lake is referred to by Matthew and Mark as the Sea of Galilee, and by John as the Sea of Tiberius. This lake is the lowest below-sea-level body of fresh water on earth. The text notes that in order to be better heard by the crowd, Jesus boarded a boat, owned by Peter, and spoke to the people “a little out from the land” (Luke 5:2). Peter and his partners had been fishing all night, without success, and were ready to stow their gear. Observe that apart from the mention of his mother-in-law in the previous chapter, this is the first mention of Peter in Luke’s Gospel.

At this time, it is likely that Andrew and John were already followers of Jesus, and that Peter had at least met Christ (cf. John 1:35–42). There was some familiarity, then, between Peter and Jesus when He asked to borrow Peter’s boat. Yet, Christ’s command to recast their nets was unusual for: (1) Jesus was not a fisherman, (2) Peter and his partners had just spent a fruitless night fishing, and (3) the crew had just finished cleaning their fishing gear. However, whether out of courtesy or for some other reason, Peter obeyed Christ’s command and was rewarded with an astonishing catch of fish. Even more surprising is Peter’s response to Jesus, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” (Luke 4:8). While it is unclear if Peter was accepting Jesus as Savior here, in light of Christ’s teaching from Scripture and the miraculous catch of fish, at a minimum, Peter came to understand that Jesus was not an ordinary man.

Leper is Cleansed (5:12–15)

Luke 5:12–15 recounts Jesus’ healing of a leper “in a certain city” (Luke 5:12a) located in Galilee. This is one of only two occasions in the Gospels where Christ heals lepers—the other time being the healing of the ten lepers (cf. Luke 17:11–19). Luke, the physician, is clear to record that this man “was full of leprosy” (Luke 5:12b), perhaps indicating that his case and condition was especially severe. Leprosy, which is now called Hansen’s disease, was one of the most feared illnesses in the ancient world, as it was contagious and always led to death. Note that while this leper was unsure if Jesus would heal him, he did have faith in Christ. Luke writes that the leper “fell on his face” (Luke 5:12c) and Matthew reports that the man “worshiped Jesus” (Matt. 8:2). Indeed, having compassion on him (cf. Mark 1:41), Christ healed this man and instructed him to follow the Old Testament regulations for cleansed lepers (cf. Lev. 13:1–3; 14:1–32).

Paralytic is Healed (5:16–26)

Given his medical background, it is not surprising that Luke records more healing miracles than do any of the other Gospel writers. Luke 5:16–26 contains the account of the healing of a paralytic. After noting Christ’s practice of private prayer, Luke reports that a crowd of Pharisees and teachers had assembled to hear Jesus, “and the power of the Lord was present to heal” (Luke 5:17). In Luke 5:18–19 we read that several individuals brought a paralyzed man to be healed by Jesus. Yet, because this man was on a bed, and on account of the large crowd, it was not possible for these men to bring their paralyzed friend before Christ. These men, however, had strong faith in Jesus’ ability to heal their paralyzed friend, and were not deterred by the practical challenge of reaching Christ. Therefore, they scaled the roof of the house and removed tiles in order to lower their friend before Jesus.

Just as the lowering of this man into the room in which Jesus was speaking was surely a shock, so Christ’s response must have surprised the crowd. Luke 5:20 records, “When Jesus saw their faith, He said to him, ‘Man, your sins are forgiven you.’” This was likely unexpected by all in the room, for this man presumably was brought to Christ be healed of his paralysis, not to be forgiven of his sins. Furthermore, in declaring the man to be forgiven of his sins, Jesus was claiming to be God (cf. Luke 5:21). Of course, this utterance offended the religious leaders. However, in order to prove both His deity and His authority to forgive sins, Jesus did that which is more difficult (in the eyes of the scribes and Pharisees, at least)—that is, He healed the man of his paralysis. Note, however, that forgiving sins is actually more difficult than physical healing, for atonement for sins would require the death of Christ on the cross.

Application Questions:

1. If, as Jesus taught, it is hard for a prophet to be accepted in his own country, why did Christ spend so much time ministering in and around Galilee?
2. Given that he had just spent a fruitless night fishing, and was busy cleaning his fishing gear, why was Peter willing to allow Jesus to use his boat?
3. Why did Jesus provide Peter with a great catch of fish? How often in Scripture does Christ perform unrequested miracles?
4. Why did Jesus command the healed leper to keep quiet and to follow the Old Testament regulations for cleansed lepers?
5. What did Jesus mean with His question to the scribes and Pharisees about the more difficult saying?