Notes on Luke 5:5-13

Luke 5:5

Simon was reluctant to obey Jesus, perhaps for a few reasons. First, as a carpenter's son, he may have believed that Jesus had less knowledge of fishing than Simon, the fisherman by trade. Second, they had already been fishing all night and caught nothing. Finally, it was morning, which was a worse time to fish than evening. Nevertheless, Simon obeyed Jesus's instructions.

Luke 5:6-7

It is unclear if the miracle was one of Jesus's knowledge (location of the fish) or authority (directing the fish). Luke was more concerned to show the size of the miracle, which revealed Jesus's glory.

Luke 5:8

fell down. A visible sign of humility and fear (18:13). sinful man. Whenever humanity truly encounters God, what overcomes them most is his holiness (see 7:6; Job 42:5-6; Isa. 6:1-7). Peter's response indicates that he saw divine power at work through Jesus. Only God commands the seas and all that is in them (see Ps. 95:4-5; 148:1-8). Lord. Previously, Jesus was simply called master (v. 5). The word simply mean sir but Luke's previous thirty uses of it always indicate God.

Luke 5:10

James and John. Prominent disciples who joined Peter as an "inner circle" among the disciples (8:51; 9:28, 54). Do not be afraid. Jesus encouraged faith in Peter and the other disciples. catch men. The word evokes rescue from danger. Instead of catching living fish to kill for consumption, they would catch spiritually dead people for new life in Christ (see Eph. 2:1-8). This is the central calling of every disciple. Those who have followed Jesus by believing the gospel are to call others to follow him as disciples (see Matt. 28:19-20; John 20:21; Acts 1:8).

Luke 5:11

followed him. This is the basic description of Jesus's disciples. They follow by acknowledging his lordship (Rom. 10:9) and learning from teaching (see Matt. 11:29; John 14:23-24). left everything. Other things in this life do not compare to Jesus. They can be forsaken in light of his call (9:3; 12:33; 14:26, 33; 18:22; John 12:25).

Luke 5:12

leprosy. The word leprosy was kind of a catchall term for various kinds of skin diseases, including the actual condition of leprosy. Some conditions would clear up and be examined by the priest (Lev. 13–14). However leprosy itself had no cure. The disease creates open sores and lesions on the skin which often open up and cause great pain. As it progresses, the disease brings about permanent nerve damage, which often leads to physical disfigurement and the loss of any sensation in limbs. This led to unknown injuries which could become infected. It was often referred to as a condition of living death. Leprosy was an especially powerful sign of humanity's spiritual disease called sin (Isa. 1:4-6). fell on his face. A sign of humility and reverence (17:16). He was desperate for Jesus's help. willing. The man understood Jesus's power and ability to make his clean. He didn't know if he was willing to heal.

Luke 5:13

touched him. Leprosy had social implications in addition to the physical difficulties (see note on v. 12). The man would have been living alone, outside the town, and considered unclean (Lev. 13:45-46). He was expected to keep his distance from others and yell a warning if anyone came close. If someone touched a leper, he would be made unclean as well. leprosy left him. Instead of becoming unclean when Jesus touched the leper, Jesus made the leper clean. Such is his power that the healing was immediate.

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