Luke 5 – The Calling of the First Disciples and Healing of the Leper
“Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” (Luke 5:4, NKJV)
“And immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and went to his own house, glorifying God.” (v. 25)
“I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (v. 32)
🔍 CAPTURE THE SCENE (What do I see?)
- Jesus calls the first disciples — Simon Peter, James, and John — to leave their fishing business and follow Him
- He performs the miraculous catch of fish, demonstrating His power and authority over creation
- Jesus heals a paralytic who is lowered through the roof by his friends, affirming His authority to forgive sins
- Jesus calls Levi (Matthew), a tax collector, to follow Him, and He shares a meal with sinners
- The chapter reflects Jesus’ compassion, call to repentance, and authority in both healing and teaching
📖 ANALYZE THE MESSAGE (What does it mean?)
1. The Miraculous Catch of Fish (vv. 1–11)
“So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God…”
Jesus teaches the crowds, and as they press in, He gets into Simon’s boat to continue teaching
“Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”
Despite having worked all night with no catch, Jesus instructs them to try again, and they catch a miraculous amount of fish
“When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees…”
Peter is overwhelmed by the miracle and acknowledges his unworthiness, but Jesus calls him to follow, saying, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will catch men”
“So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.”
The disciples respond to Jesus’ call by leaving everything behind to follow Him, demonstrating obedience and faith
2. Healing of the Paralytic (vv. 17–26)
“Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed…”
A paralyzed man is brought to Jesus, but because of the crowd, his friends lower him through the roof
“When He saw their faith, He said to him, ‘Man, your sins are forgiven you.’”
Jesus first addresses the man’s spiritual need by forgiving his sins, showing His authority to forgive
“The scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, ‘Who is this who speaks blasphemies?’”
The religious leaders question Jesus’ authority to forgive sins, but Jesus proves His authority by healing the man, saying, “Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise up and walk’?”
“But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins…”
Jesus shows that He has both the authority to forgive sins and the power to heal physically
“Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and went to his own house, glorifying God.”
The paralytic’s healing is a testimony to the power and authority of Jesus
3. The Calling of Levi (Matthew) (vv. 27–32)
“After these things He went out and saw a tax collector named Levi…”
Jesus calls Levi, a tax collector, to follow Him, despite the social stigma attached to tax collectors
“And Levi gave Him a great feast in his own house…”
Levi responds by hosting a banquet, inviting his friends, which includes sinners and tax collectors
“Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”
The Pharisees question why Jesus associates with sinners, but Jesus responds: “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance”
“Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.”
Jesus emphasizes His mission to seek and save the lost, offering healing and forgiveness to all who repent
4. Jesus’ Teachings on Fasting (vv. 33–39)
“Then they said to Him, ‘Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise those of the Pharisees, but Yours eat and drink?’”
The question arises about fasting — why aren’t Jesus and His disciples fasting like others?
“Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them?”
Jesus explains that it is not the time for fasting because He, as the bridegroom, is present with them — a time of celebration, not mourning
“But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away…”
He prophesies of His death, when His followers will fast in anticipation of His return
“No one puts a piece from a new garment on an old one…”
Jesus uses parables to teach that His new message cannot be mixed with the old traditions of the law — His gospel is a new wine that requires a new wineskin
🔁 COMPARE THIS CHAPTER WITH THE REST OF SCRIPTURE
- Jesus Calling His Disciples:
- Matthew 4:18–20 – Jesus calls Peter and Andrew to follow Him
- John 1:43–51 – The calling of Philip and Nathanael
- Healing and Forgiveness:
- Matthew 9:2–8 – Jesus forgives the paralytic and heals him
- Mark 2:5–12 – Jesus heals and forgives the paralytic to prove His authority
- Jesus’ Mission to Sinners:
- Luke 15:1–7 – The parable of the lost sheep, showing Jesus’ heart for the lost
- Matthew 9:12–13 – Jesus says, “I desire mercy and not sacrifice”
🙌 EXECUTE (So what? How does this affect my life?)
Principle: Jesus calls the willing, heals the broken, and brings new life through His message of grace.
- Follow Jesus with Faith and Obedience
Like the disciples, leave your old life behind and follow Jesus in faithful obedience - Embrace the Authority of Jesus
Jesus has the authority to forgive sins and heal — trust Him with your spiritual and physical needs - Welcome Sinners with Grace
Jesus came to call the lost — be gracious to those who are far from God, just as He was to Levi and others - Celebrate the Presence of the Bridegroom
Rejoice that Jesus is with us and that His kingdom is breaking in — we are part of the celebration - Live According to the New Covenant
The gospel is new wine — embrace its transformative power, not just the old forms of religion
🗣️ GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- How does the story of the calling of the disciples challenge your own commitment to follow Jesus?
- What does Jesus’ authority over sickness and sin reveal about His power in your life?
- How can we be gracious and welcoming like Jesus, especially toward people that society often rejects?
- In what ways does Jesus’ presence bring celebration and joy into your life?
- How can we embrace the newness of the gospel and avoid relying on old religious traditions?