ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Luke 5

Luke 5:1 lake of Gennesaret. The Sea of Galilee.

Luke 5:3 Getting into one of the boats . . . he . . . taught. Compare Mark 4:1–2.

Luke 5:8–9 astonished. At this point, Peter understands that God is working through Jesus. Later, he will come to a deeper understanding (see Mark 8:29). Only after the resurrection will Peter and the other disciples fully understand who Jesus is (Luke 24:31, 36–43, 52).

Luke 5:10 Do not be afraid. See 1:13. Catching men builds on the analogy of catching fish. It means bringing people into the kingdom of God (see also esv footnote).

Luke 5:12 leprosy. See note on Matt. 8:2–3. The term included a variety of serious skin diseases, not just what is today called “leprosy” (Hansen’s disease). fell on his face. A position of reverence (see Luke 17:16).

Luke 5:13 be clean. Jesus is not made unclean by touching the leper. Instead, the leper is cleansed by Jesus’ touch.

Luke 5:14 tell no one. Jesus does not want to draw crowds who come simply for the sake of miracles. go . . . to the priest as Moses commanded (Lev. 14:2–32). This was to serve as a proof to them, that is, the people (and probably the priests as well). The healed leper is brought back into full fellowship in the Jewish community.

Luke 5:15 to hear him and to be healed. Luke emphasizes Jesus’ preaching ministry over his healing ministry (see 6:18).

Luke 5:16 Would withdraw . . . and pray could also be translated “was regularly withdrawing . . . and praying.”

Luke 5:17–6:11 Luke returns to the theme of opposition to Jesus (see 4:28–30) with five accounts of controversy (compare Mark 2:1–3:6).

Luke 5:17 The Pharisees were the most influential of the three major Jewish sects (see note on John 1:24). teachers of the law. Scribes were experts in handling written documents. Their duties included interpreting the Mosaic law. From every village indicates Jesus’ great fame.

Luke 5:19 they went up on the roof. Houses in ancient Palestine often had external stairs leading up to a flat roof. through the tiles. Evidence suggests that tiles were sometimes used for roofs, perhaps on homes of the wealthy. Typical mud roofs were made from slabs of mud baked in the sun, and Luke may have called these “tiles.”

Luke 5:20 Their faith probably refers to the faith of the friends who brought the paralytic to Jesus, but it may include the faith of the paralytic as well. your sins are forgiven. Jesus is announcing that he has the authority to forgive sins.

Luke 5:21–22 The scribes and the Pharisees are often paired together in the Gospels (see note on Matt. 5:20). Jesus does not deny that God alone can forgive sins. Jesus perceived their thoughts, an indication of divine omniscience (compare Matt. 9:4; Mark 2:8).

Luke 5:23–24 It is easier to say that a person’s sins are forgiven (which cannot be disproved) than to claim to be able to tell him to rise up and walk (which can be disproved). Jesus’ healing of the paralytic thus serves as proof (that you may know) that he, as the Son of Man, has the authority to forgive sins. (On “Son of Man,” see notes on Matt. 8:20; Mark 2:10.)

Luke 5:27–28 tax collector. In Palestine, tax collectors represented the Roman government. Their own people hated them because they often charged extra taxes and took the money for themselves (see 19:8). In Matt. 9:9, Levi is called “Matthew.” Follow me. An invitation to a total commitment to Christ.

Luke 5:30 Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners? Eating with them implies welcoming these people. The Pharisees thought this made a person unclean. But Jesus will bring sinners to repentance (v. 32) rather than being made unclean by association with them (see note on v. 13).

Luke 5:31–32 Jesus compares those who are well to those who are righteous, and those who are sick to sinners.

Luke 5:33–34 Can (they) fast while the bridegroom is with them? Jesus refers to himself as the bridegroom. In the OT, God the Father was the bridegroom (see Isa. 62:5; Hos. 2:19–20). On fasting, see note on Matt. 6:16–18.

Luke 5:35 When the bridegroom is taken away refers to Jesus’ death. In those days refers to the time between Jesus’ death and resurrection, and also after he has returned to heaven. During those times, fasting will be appropriate for his followers.

Luke 5:36–39 A new patch cannot be put on an old garment. It will shrink when it is washed, and then tear. Also, one does not put new wine into old wineskins. New, fermenting wine would stretch the old, inelastic wineskins and cause them to burst. No one is best understood as a criticism of the Pharisees. Jesus says they favor the past and reject the arrival of the kingdom.