The fishermen called
Luke 5:1–11FocusObedience and a new calling
Connection to the wholeThe catch of fish leads Peter to recognize his unworthiness and ends with the fishermen leaving all to follow Jesus.
interpretation Luke 5:22
KJVBut when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts?
Read it in context
Cleansing and forgiveness
Start reading at Luke 5:12 (Luke 5:12 to Luke 5:26).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The leper and paralytic accounts join restoration with growing questions about Jesus' authority to forgive sins.
- 5:12 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.
- 5:13 And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him.
- 5:14 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.
- 5:15 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.
- 5:16 And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.
- 5:17 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.
- 5:18 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.
- 5:19 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.
- 5:20 And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.
- 5:21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?
- 5:22 But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts?
- 5:23 Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk?
- 5:24 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.
- 5:25 And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.
- 5:26 And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Luke, the physician and companion of Paul, is the author identified by early church tradition for both Luke and Acts. Biblical references: Colossians 4:14; Philemon 1:24. Historical source: Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3.1.1; Anchor Bible Dictionary, Luke–Acts. traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Luke 5:1–5:39): Jesus calls Simon, James, and John; He encounters a leper, a paralytic with his helpers, Pharisees and teachers, and Levi with his table guests. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Theophilus is the named recipient, already instructed in the matters Luke recounts. Wider readers also benefit, but identifying Theophilus as a particular official or assigning him a precise biography goes beyond the available evidence. Biblical references: Luke 1:3; Luke 1:4. Historical source: Anchor Bible Dictionary, Luke–Acts. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Cleansing and forgiveness. Read Luke 5:12 through Luke 5:26 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? The leper and paralytic accounts join restoration with growing questions about Jesus' authority to forgive sins. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The account connects events with named rulers and begins before Jesus' birth, continuing through His resurrection and ascension. Those narrative dates do not themselves date composition. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The narrative ranges through Judea and Galilee and gives sustained attention to the journey toward Jerusalem. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Cleansing and forgiveness (Luke 5:12 to Luke 5:26). Start reading at Luke 5:12. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Luke presents Jesus as the Saviour and records His explanation that the Scriptures concern His suffering and glory. Keep this broad claim alongside the particular passages He and the narrator actually connect. See Luke 2:11, Luke 19:10, Luke 24:26, Luke 24:27. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Attend to repentance, mercy, prayer, and faithful response. Identify who is being addressed in a parable or rebuke before applying it to someone else. interpretation
Cited: Luke 5:12, Luke 5:26, Luke 2:11, Luke 19:10, Luke 24:26, Luke 24:27
Who wrote it, and how we know
Luke, the physician and companion of Paul
From early tradition
What Scripture saysThe author writes in the first person to Theophilus and describes carefully investigating eyewitness accounts, but does not give his name.
Luke 1:1Luke 1:3
Early traditionEarly testimony, including Irenaeus and the Muratorian fragment, names Luke, the physician and companion of Paul.
What is debatedThe name is not in the text.
Other accounts of this event
The paralytic is forgiven and healed
Parallel accounts
These passages describe overlapping parts of the same event. Each account retains its own wording and emphasis.
Related passages
- perceived 1 Chr 28:9 Ps 139:2 Prov 15:26 Isa 66:18 Ezek 38:10 Matt 12:25 Heb 4:12 Rev 2:23
- What Luke 24:38 Mark 8:17 Acts 5:3
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Luke 5
The opening addresses Theophilus and explains the purpose of giving an orderly account so he may know the certainty of what he has been taught. Read the narrative as it moves from preparation for Jesus' birth to His resurrection and the promised witness.
Luke 1:1 Luke 1:3 Luke 1:4 Luke 24:47
FocusAuthority over disease and sin
Connection to the wholeThe leper and paralytic accounts join restoration with growing questions about Jesus' authority to forgive sins.
interpretation Levi and the fasting question
Luke 5:27–39FocusCalling sinners and the bridegroom
Connection to the wholeLevi's response and the ensuing meal lead to Jesus' explanation of His mission and the difference His presence makes.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Luke
The opening addresses Theophilus and explains the purpose of giving an orderly account so he may know the certainty of what he has been taught. Read the narrative as it moves from preparation for Jesus' birth to His resurrection and the promised witness.
Luke 1:1 Luke 1:3 Luke 1:4 Luke 24:47
The births and early years
Luke 1:1–2:52FocusPromise, praise, and preparation
Connection to the wholeThe birth announcements and childhood accounts locate Jesus' coming within God's promises and the expectations expressed by faithful witnesses.
interpretation The ministry prepared
Luke 3:1–4:13FocusJohn, baptism, and temptation
Connection to the wholeJohn's call to repentance, Jesus' baptism, the genealogy, and the temptation prepare the public ministry.
interpretation FocusAuthority, mercy, and recognition
Connection to the wholeTeaching and mighty works reveal Jesus' identity while He forms disciples and begins to explain His coming suffering.
interpretation The journey toward Jerusalem
Luke 9:51–19:27FocusFollowing Jesus on the way
Connection to the wholeThe extended journey gathers teaching about repentance, prayer, possessions, mercy, and readiness as Jesus approaches His death.
interpretation Jerusalem and the temple
Luke 19:28–21:38FocusVisitation, conflict, and watchfulness
Connection to the wholeThe entry and temple ministry bring confrontation and teaching about Jerusalem's distress and the need to watch.
interpretation Passion, resurrection, and commission
Luke 22:1–24:53FocusScripture fulfilled and witness prepared
Connection to the wholeJesus' death and resurrection are interpreted through Scripture, leading to the proclamation of repentance and remission of sins and the promise of power.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.