LUKE 5

Our titles for today’s study are; Verses 1-11 The miracles of the fishes. Verses 12-15 Jesus heals a leper. Verses 16-26 Who can forgive sins? Verses 27-39 Jesus calls Levi (Matthew). Luke 5 and verse 1 reads.

Luke 5:1] 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,

Let’s take a minute here for the name Gennesaret, from the Hebrew Kinnereth, both mean A Harp. G1082 from H3672 and is the land given to the tribe Naphtali. Lake of Gennesaret or Sea of Galilee.

Luke 5:2] And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.
[3] 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.

This would be Simon Peter. What we have here is Jesus uses the land and the ship to create what we call an amphitheater. They found this location not long ago. Don’t overlook Jesus uses Peter before he ever called him to follow.

Luke 5:4] Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
[5] 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.

It is written in Psalms 33 and verse 9 reads.

Psa.33:9] For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.

Back to Luke 5 and verse 6 reads.

Luke 5:6] And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.

Not that it broke the net, but that it was about to.

Luke 5:7] 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.

That they were about to sink from the weight of the fish. You will see that Jesus uses this miracle to capture the hearts of these men.

Luke 5:8] When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.

Peter knew at that moment Jesus was Lord. Afraid because we are all sinners, and we know that sin cannot stand before the LORD. The Christ had come into the world to be crucified for all our sins, that whomsoever might believe on him, might receive life everlasting. This is why Peter fell at his knees (feet). The Savior was standing in his boat.

Luke 5:9] For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:

This word draught simply means; haul.

Luke 5:10] 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.
[11] And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

Jesus is putting his ministry together, he calls and they come. Have you been called? Will you answer, and say Send me? Now let’s take another minute here, what about these fishes. Fish or Ichthus in Greek is an acronym for Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior. Here is the acronym; Ι (Iota): Iēsous (Jesus). Χ (Chi): Christos (Christ). Θ (Theta): Theou (of God). Υ (Upsilon): Yios (Son). Σ (Sigma): Sōtēr (Savior).

Luke 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.

This showed great faith, he didn’t ask if he could, but rather if he would. Don’t overlook that he called him Lord.

Luke :13] And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him.
[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.

Jesus commanded that he immediately go to the priest. This will be what was both lawful, as well as a testimony to the priest that the Messiah has come. Let’s go to Deuteronomy 24 and verse 8 reads.

Deu.24:8] Take heed in the plague of leprosy, that thou observe diligently, and do according to all that the priests the Levites shall teach you: as I commanded them, so ye shall observe to do.

Now, let’s go to Leviticus 14 and verse 1 reads.

Lev.14:1] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
[2] This shall be the law of the leper in the day of his cleansing: He shall be brought unto the priest:
[3] And the priest shall go forth out of the camp; and the priest shall look, and, behold, if the plague of leprosy be healed in the leper;
[4] Then shall the priest command to take for him that is to be cleansed two birds alive and clean, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop:
[5] And the priest shall command that one of the birds be killed in an earthen vessel over running water:
[6] As for the living bird, he shall take it, and the cedar wood, and the scarlet, and the hyssop, and shall dip them and the living bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the running water:
[7] And he shall sprinkle upon him that is to be cleansed from the leprosy seven times, and shall pronounce him clean, and shall let the living bird loose into the open field.
[8] And he that is to be cleansed shall wash his clothes, and shave off all his hair, and wash himself in water, that he may be clean: and after that he shall come into the camp, and shall tarry abroad out of his tent seven days.
[9] But it shall be on the seventh day, that he shall shave all his hair off his head and his beard and his eyebrows, even all his hair he shall shave off: and he shall wash his clothes, also he shall wash his flesh in water, and he shall be clean.

When the leper that was healed by Jesus shows himself to the priest that condemned him unclean would have shown the priest that the Christ had come. Jesus would become our Passover Lamb, and afterwards only the blood ordinance of the law would be done away with. Always remember Matthew 5 and verse 17 reads.

Mat.5:17] Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
[18] For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

 Back to Luke 5 and verse 15 reads.

Luke 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.
[16] And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.

So much healing must have taken a toll on Jesus, that he could not even rest. Remember when the woman would simply touch his garment that he knew virtue had gone out of him. Mark 5:30.

Luke 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.

We have both Pharisees and scripture lawyers present. Jesus will heal in front of them.

Luke 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.
[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.

These men not only had faith, but did the works also.

Luke 5:20] And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.

Not only was the man with the palsy’s sins forgiven, but those who did the works and had great faith, their sins also were forgiven.

Luke 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?

Immanuel, God with us, that’s who! Let’s go to Psalms 32 and verse 5 reads.

Psa.32:5] I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

Selah, means; stop the music and meditate on what was just said. Now let’s go to Isaiah 43 and verse 25 reads.

Isa.43:25] I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

Back to Luke 5 and verse 22 reads.

Luke 5:22] But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts?
[23] Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk?

I love this verse, what is easier, to forgive sins or speak and the healing is perfect. Who could argue with that? Now, are we not to forgive one another’s sin, remember the LORD’s Prayer? Let’s go to Matthew 6 and verse 12 reads.

Mat.6:12] And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

So, we too are to forgive those who sin against us, because unless we forgive their sins our sins cannot be forgiven. Let’s go to Mark 11 and verse 25 reads.

Mark 11:25] And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
[26] But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

Now, Jesus will show them that he is the Son of God, for only the power of God can heal. Back to Luke 5 and verse 24 reads.

Luke 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.

Let’s go to Acts 5, Peter is telling the Kenites who crucified our Lord in verse 31 and it reads.

Acts 5:31] Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

Back to Luke 5 and verse 25 reads.

Luke 5:25] And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.

Wouldn’t you have liked to have seen their faces when this man with palsy stood up and walked. This man that was healed glorified God, the Pharisees and scripture lawyers did not.

Luke 5:26] And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day.

Not only the man that was healed glorified God, so did all those who witnessed. Let’s go to Psalms 103 and verse 1 reads.

Psa.103:1] Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
[2] Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
[3] Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
[4] Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

Even the Pharisee that witnessed this great healing before their own eyes, did not glorify the LORD. Back to Luke 5 and verse 27 reads.

Luke 5:27] 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.
[28] And he left all, rose up, and followed him.

Levi is Matthew, let’s look at both names. Levi is Hebrew H3878 and means; Joined to. Matthew is G3156 and means; Gift of Yah. In the book of Matthew, we see in Mat.9:9 that Matthew uses the name Matthew when speaking in the second person of himself. And says his job was sitting at the receipt of customs. Often referred to as sinners because most tax collectors cheated men. Matthew would not be one of them because the LORD chose him, he is a righteous man.

Luke 5:29] 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.

Here is where a lot of people think Matthew was also a sinner, because of the others that sat with them.

Luke 5:30] But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?

Said to his disciples, Matthew included, why do you sit with publicans and sinners. Being a publican does not make you a sinner. These Pharisees are high and mighty about themselves. Let’s remember Isaiah 65 and verse 4 reads.

Isa.65:4] Which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments, which eat swine’s flesh, and broth of abominable things is in their vessels;
[5] Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.

Back to Luke 5 and verse 31 reads.

Luke 5:31] And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.
[32] I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

I want to go to 2Peter 3 and verse 9 reads.

2Pet.3:9] The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Now, if you think Jesus was telling these Pharisees that they were not sinners, I’d beg to differ. Remember Isaiah 65:5. Back to Luke 5 and verse 33 reads.

Luke 5:33] 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?

Before Jesus answers them, think about what these Pharisees just said. They note that John’s disciples are fasting and praying. Is not John the Baptist in prison? And who are these disciples of the Pharisees? These Pharisees are Kenites, they will kill the Son of God just like their fathers killed all the prophets from righteous Abel to Zacharias whom they slew between the porch and the altar.

Luke 5:34] And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?
[35] But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.

Fasting is a sign of mourning. How can they mourn if Jesus is still with them? Jesus does say they will fast in Those Days. Notice that Jesus uses the saying of the bridegroom. We are waiting for that marriage to the Lamb. Now comes a couple of parables.

Luke 5:36] 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.

This is how Jesus compares the children of God to a piece of cloth. If you understand sowing a patch on your jeans, a new piece will pucker on an old garment. This is symbolic of teaching truth to those that have been taught falsely from the pulpits. Now, another parable.

Luke 5:37] 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.
[38] But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved.

Again, he compares his children, this time to bottles. We are not talking about glass bottles, but lambskin bottles. After new wine is put into a new skin, the wine will expand with fermentation and a new skin is still pliable to expand with the wine. But an old bottle (skin) is no longer pliable and will burst when the new wine is put within it. So, when you teach truth to one that loves the LORD, you must first correct the lies that they have been taught, then the truth will be received. This is why judgement begins at the pulpit. 1Peter 4 and verse 17 reads.

1Pet.4:17] For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

Back to Luke 5 and verse 39 reads.

Luke 5:39] No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.

This is our job today, to teach those that were taught falsely the truth. Says here it will be hard, but have faith, for nothing is impossible with the LORD. Let’s go to his throne.

Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.

KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of The Bible