BIBLE STUDY MANUALS: LUKE CHAPTER 5

LUKE CHAPTER 5

OBSERVATION STAGE

The purpose of the observation stage is to maintain focus on the text at hand within the normative rules of language, context and logic which limits the observer to the content offered by the book of Luke. This will serve to avoid going on unnecessary tangents elsewhere; and more importantly, it will provide the framework for a proper and objective comparison with passages located elsewhere in Scripture.

Note that similar or the same subject matter describing an historic event which matter is essentially the same as the subject matter in another passage in Scripture does not necessarily prove that the passages in view portray the same event. This is so, including those passages in which Jesus Himself is in view. For not everyone who lived or passed through the Palestinian region - which numbered in the millions - were present every time and in every place that Jesus preached and healed people. So it stands to reason that the subject matter that He preached bore frequent repetition in order to reach the greatest numbers.

On the other hand, passages in Scripture which not only have similar or the same subject matter describing an event but which also have different subject matter from one another, may or may not have the same event in view depending upon a full examination of the context of each of the passages. Given the brevity of the bible - the limited time, space and resources such as paper, ink, etc. - not everything was capable of being included in each of the writings or even in all of the writings together. There are going to be similarities and differences. But a careful examination of Scripture will reveal that there is nevertheless a miraculous harmony and complete absence of contradiction.

Remember that something elsewhere may be true, but in the text at hand it may not be in view.

****** EXCERPT FROM LUKE CHAPTER 4 ******

............................................OR MOVE TO LK 5:1

[Lk 4:31-44]:

(Lk 4:31 YLT) "And he came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and was teaching them on the sabbaths,

(Lk 4:32 NKJV) And they were astonished at His teaching, for His word was with authority.

(Lk 4:33 NKJV) Now in the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon. And he cried out with a loud voice,

(Lk 4:34 YLT) saying, 'Away, what - to us and to [You], Jesus, O Nazarene? Did You come to destroy us; I have known [You] who [You are] - the Holy One of God.'

(Lk 4:35 NKJV) But Jesus rebuked him, saying, 'Be quiet, and come out of him!' And when the demon had thrown him in their midst, it came out of him and did not hurt him.

(Lk 4:36 YLT) and amazement came upon all and they were speaking together, with one another, saying, 'What [is] this word, that with authority and power He [does] command the unclean spirits and they come [out]?

(Lk 4:37 NASB) And the report about Him was spreading into every locality in the surrounding district.

(Lk 4:38 YLT) And having risen out of the synagogue, He entered into the house of Simon, and the mother-in-law of Simon was pressed with a great fever, and they did ask Him about her,

(Lk 4:39 YLT) and having stood over her, he rebuked the fever, and it left her, and presently, having risen, she was ministering to them.

(Lk 4:40 NASB) While the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and [having laid] His hands on each one of them, He was healing them.

(Lk 4:41 YLT) And demons also were coming [out] from many, crying out and saying - [You are] the Christ, [i.e., the Messiah], the Son of God;' and rebuking, He did not [permit] them to speak, because they knew Him to be the Christ.

(Lk 4:42 YLT) And day having come, having gone [out], He went on to a desert [i.e., solitary] place, and the multitudes were seeking Him, and they came unto Him, and were [detaining] Him - [that He might] not go on from them,

(Lk 4:43 HOLMAN) But He said to them, 'I must proclaim the good news about the Kingdom of God to the other towns also, because I [have been] sent for this purpose.'

(Lk 4:44 NKJV) And He was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee."

(Lk 4:31-44) JESUS CAME DOWN TO CAPERNAUM, A CITY OF GALILEE. HE WAS TEACHING THE PEOPLE ON THE SABBATHS THERE. THEY WERE ASTONISHED AT HIS TEACHING, FOR HE SPOKE WITH AUTHORITY. ONE TIME IN THE SYNAGOGUE THERE WAS A MAN WHO HAD A DEMON, WHO CRIED OUT THROUGH THE MAN, "AWAY, WHAT TO US AND TO YOU JESUS O NAZARENE? DID YOU COME TO DESTROY US; I HAVE KNOWN YOU WHO YOU ARE - THE HOLY ONE OF GOD" - A DECLARATION OF WHO JESUS WAS - THE MESSIAH, THE CHOSEN ONE OF GOD. JESUS ESTABLISHED THAT HE INDEED WAS THE HOLY ONE OF GOD BY DEMONSTRATING HIS AUTHORITY OVER THE DEMON BY REBUKING HIM TO BE QUIET AND COMMANDING HIM COME OUT OF THE MAN. AND THE DEMON OBEYED. THE PEOPLE WERE AMAZED AT HIS AUTHORITY AND POWER. THE REPORT ABOUT HIM SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE SURROUNDING DISTRICT. JESUS LEFT THE SYNAGOGUE, WENT INTO THE HOUSE OF SIMON, WHEREUPON HE HEALED SIMON'S MOTHER IN LAW OF A FEVER. WHILE THE SUN WAS SETTING MANY CAME TO THE HOUSE WITH ILLNESES / DEMONS AND HE HEALED THEM ALL. HE CONTINUALLY DEMONSTRATED HIS AUTHORITY AND WHO HE WAS - THE SON OF GOD, THE CHRIST AS TESTIFIED TO BY THE DEMONS, WHOM HE COMMANDED TO COME OUT OF THOSE THEY POSSESSED. THE DAY HAVING GONE, JESUS WENT OUT TO A DESERT - A SOLITARY PLACE BUT THE MULTITIDUDES CAME AFTER HIM, DETAINING HIM SO THAT HE COULD NOT GO AWAY FROM THEM. BUT HE SAID TO THEM, "I MUST PROCLAIM THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT THE KINGDOM OF GOD TO THE OTHER TOWNS ALSO, BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN SENT FOR THIS PURPOSE." AND SO HE WAS PREACHING IN THE SYNAGOGUES OF GALILEE

(Lk 4:31 YLT) "And he came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and was teaching them on the sabbaths, (Lk 4:32 NKJV) And they were astonished at His teaching, for His word was with authority. (Lk 4:33 NKJV) Now in the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon. And he cried out with a loud voice, (Lk 4:34 YLT) saying, 'Away, what - to us and to [You], Jesus, O Nazarene? Did You come to destroy us; I have known [You] who [You are] - the Holy One of God.' (Lk 4:35 NKJV) But Jesus rebuked him, saying, 'Be quiet, and come out of him!' And when the demon had thrown him in their midst, it came out of him and did not hurt him. (Lk 4:36 YLT) and amazement came upon all and they were speaking together, with one another, saying, 'What [is] this word, that with authority and power He [does] command the unclean spirits and they come [out]? (Lk 4:37 NASB) And the report about Him was spreading into every locality in the surrounding district. (Lk 4:38 YLT) And having risen out of the synagogue, He entered into the house of Simon, and the mother-in-law of Simon was pressed with a great fever, and they did ask Him about her, (Lk 4:39 YLT) and having stood over her, he rebuked the fever, and it left her, and presently, having risen, she was ministering to them. (Lk 4:40 NASB) While the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and [having laid] His hands on each one of them, He was healing them. (Lk 4:41 YLT) And demons also were coming [out] from many, crying out and saying - [You are] the Christ, [i.e., the Messiah], the Son of God;' and rebuking, He did not [permit] them to speak, because they knew Him to be the Christ. (Lk 4:42 YLT) And day having come, having gone [out], He went on to a desert [i.e., solitary] place, and the multitudes were seeking Him, and they came unto Him, and were [detaining] Him - [that He might] not go on from them, (Lk 4:43 HOLMAN) But He said to them, 'I must proclaim the good news about the Kingdom of God to the other towns also, because I [have been] sent for this purpose.' (Lk 4:44 NKJV) And He was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee." =

(Lk 4:31 YLT) "And he came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and was teaching them on the sabbaths," =

(Commentary on Lk 4:31) At some time Jesus came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee, where He was teaching in the synagogue on the Sabbaths. The phrase rendered "And He came down to Capernaum," in the YLT does not prove that Jesus necessarily came directly after being rejected and having to leave Nazareth, as some contend. Capernaum is by the Sea of Galilee at about 686 feet below sea level; so Jesus could have come from a number of places in Galilee of higher elevation.

The phrase rendered, "[Jesus] was teaching them, [imperfect tense] on the sabbaths [plural]," in the NKJV, indicates an ongoing action of teaching on multiple sabbath days, implying that Jesus customarily taught in the synagogue at Capernaum - just as He frequently taught in the synagogues throughout the rest of Galilee, (Lk 4:14-16).

(Lk 4:32 NKJV) "And they were astonished at His teaching, for His word was with authority." =

(Commentary on Lk 4:32) Those who heard Jesus in the Capernaum synagogue were astonished at His teaching especially because of the authority with which He taught. The rabbis supported their teaching by quoting other so-called authorities - other 'notable' rabbis; but Jesus would say, "Truly, truly, I say unto you..." His teaching was grounded in Scripture, especially about Who He was and what He had come to do. As He had done in Nazareth when He read and commented upon Isaiah 61:1-2a, to be the One Whom God had promised to Israel and to the world , He corroborated Scripture with everything He said and did; and Scripture authenticated Him with every word He spoke and every deed He performed. Jesus being the Son of God, presented a perfect interpretation of Scripture and did not defer to the interpretations made by others. He conducted Himself with godly wisdom and authority.

(Lk 4:33 NKJV) "Now in the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon. And he cried out with a loud voice, (Lk 4:34 YLT) saying, 'Away, what - to us and to [You], Jesus, O Nazarene? Did You come to destroy us; I have known [You] who [You are] - the Holy One of God.' " =

(Commentary on Lk 4:33-34) One time during His teaching in the Capernaum synagogue there came a man who had a spirit of an unclean, i.e., evil spirit / demon. And he - the indwelling demon - cried out with a loud voice, saying 'Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know Who You are - the Holy One of God.' " The Greek phrase, "ti hEmin kai soi," lit., "what to us and to you," is a colloquial expression asking the question best rendered, "What do we have in common?" implying that Jesus was intruding upon the demon's freedom. Then the demon asked the compelling question, "Did You come to destroy us?" - a mandate of the Son of God. The phrase rendered "the Holy One of God," was previously addressed in Isaiah chapter 49 which refers to Jesus Himself and to Whom His reading of the text in Scripture in the synagogue in Nazareth referred . Demonic activity was evidently common in the first century. But even today in cultures such as animist, Hindu, Buddhist, voodoo, witchcraft the Mormon religious group that was founded by an angel of light giving doctrine to Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormanism, there is evidence of demonic activity. The Big Bang 'Theory,' and Evolution is evidently a demonic doctrine that continues to be popular today, despite evidence to the contrary.

(Lk 4:35 NKJV) "But Jesus rebuked him, saying, 'Be quiet, and come out of him!' And when the demon had thrown him in their midst, it came out of him and did not hurt him." =

(Commentary on Lk 4:35) Jesus' response to the demon was to rebuke him and command him to be quiet - establishing His authority over him. Jesus admonished people and demons not to declare publically Who He was, evidently so as not to incite people to attempt a confrontation between Himself and authorities in order to overthrow the Roman rule. Jesus' purpose at this time was to declare the gospel of salvation unto the Eternal Kingdom of God and make provision for each individual via an atoning sacrifice for all sins, (cf. Lk 4:43). It was not His purpose at this time to conquer the world in order to establish that Kingdom. That was to come later. Jesus then commanded the demon to come out of the man. Whereupon the demon evidently came out violently, throwing the man into the midst of the people in the synagogue, but without hurting him.

(Lk 4:36 YLT) "and amazement came upon all and they were speaking together, with one another, saying, 'What [is] this word, that with authority and power He [does] command the unclean spirits and they come [out]?" =

(Commentary on Lk 4:36) The people were amazed at Jesus' authority and power. They were saying to one another, "What [is] this word, that with authority and power He [does] command the unclean spirits and they come [out]?" The Greek phrase "epitassei tois akathartois pneumasin," literally, He commands the unclean spirits," is in the present tense portraying repetitive action - implying that Jesus was continually doing this.

(Lk 4:37 NASB) "And the report about Him was spreading into every locality in the surrounding district. " =

(Commentary on Lk 4:37) The report about Jesus was spreading into every locality in the surrounding district, (Galilee). The imperfect tense implies continuous action: the people of the region were portrayed as being continuously amazed by Jesus' authority, wisdom and power in His teaching and over nature, diseases and demons:

[Compare Lk 4:14-15]:

(Lk 4:14 YLT) "And Jesus turned back in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a fame went forth through all the region round about concerning Him,

(Lk 4:15 YLT) and He was teaching in their synagogues, being glorified by all."

(Lk 4:38 YLT) "And having risen out of the synagogue, He entered into the house of Simon, and the mother-in-law of Simon was pressed with a great fever, and they did ask Him about her, (Lk 4:39 YLT) and having stood over her, he rebuked the fever, and it left her, and presently, having risen, she was ministering to them." =

(Commentary on Lk 4:38-39) Jesus, having risen and gone out of the synagogue, entered the house of Simon in Capernaum where he lived with Andrew his brother and his family. The context indicates that this was the next chronological event. Simon's mother-in-Law was pressed with a great fever, about which Jesus was asked. She was evidently rather ill. So He stood over her and rebuked the fever. It left her and she was immediately ministering to those in the household.

(Lk 4:40 NASB) "While the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and [having laid] His hands on each one of them, He was healing them. (Lk 4:41 YLT) And demons also were coming [out] from many, crying out and saying - [You are] the Christ, [i.e., the Messiah], the Son of God;' and rebuking, He did not [permit] them to speak, because they knew Him to be the Christ." =

(Commentary on Lk 4:40-41) "While the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to Him..." It was the day after the sabbath; for Jesus had been teaching on the sabbath in the synagogue on the day He entered Peter's house. The people had evidently waited until that evening - after the sabbath had passed - when they could bring their sick to Jesus to heal.

"And [having laid] His hands on each one of them, He was healing them." Note that at times Jesus healed by speaking to or rebuking the illness, other times He laid hands on them, as He did here.

"And demons also were coming [out] from many, crying out and saying - [You are] the Christ, [i.e., the Messiah], the Son of God;' and rebuking, He did not [permit] them to speak, because they knew Him to be the Christ."

Jesus admonished people and demons not to declare publically Who He was, evidently so as not to incite people to attempt a confrontation between Himself and authorities in order to overthrow the Roman rule.

Luke reports again about the unrelenting pursuit of the people to be healed by Jesus of their diseases and their demonic possessions. It seems that this was their overwhelming concern - even over His teaching, His Messiahship. Luke remarks that the demons knew and persistently announced Who Jesus Christ was. The author declares that they were crying out, "[You are] the Christ, [i.e., the Messiah], the Son of God."

Luke previously addressed the term, "the Christ," in chapter 3 .

The term, "the Son of God," is defined in Luke's account of the temptation of Jesus in Luke 4:3 and 9 , and more particularly in Luke's account of when John the Baptist baptized Jesus, the beloved Son of God, in Luke chapter 3, .

(Lk 4:42 YLT) "And day having come, having gone [out], He went on to a desert [i.e., solitary] place, and the multitudes were seeking Him, and they came unto Him, and were [detaining] Him - [that He might] not go on from them," =

(Commentary on Lk 4:42) And when it was morning the next day, Jesus, evidently having healed the sick all night, went out into the desert - seeking solitude. But the crowds continued to seek Him. They were attempting to detain Him so that He would not go away; evidently so that they could continue to benefit from His miraculous healings and His teaching. His popularity in the region was immense.

(Lk 4:43 HOLMAN) "But He said to them, 'I must proclaim the good news about the Kingdom of God to the other towns also, because I [have been] sent for this purpose.'" =

(Commentary on Lk 4:43) But Jesus said to them, "I must proclaim the good news about the Kingdom of God to the other towns also, because I have been sent for this purpose." The Greek word "heterais," rendered "other" in the Holman translation means other of a different kind, i.e., Gentiles as well as Jews - Jesus' ministry was to the whole world, not just to Jews.

The Kingdom of God is defined as the place of God's rule, domain, and authority, (genitive of possession); hence of the whole universe. Man was given the liberty to choose whether or not he would cooperate with God's rule on earth for a number of ages; but the day would come when everyone must submit to God's authority through Jesus Christ His Son, Who would come to make provision for the atonement for the sins of the whole world and then would come to earth to establish the Kingdom of God on earth and reign over it forever. Jesus referred to this for example when He read from and commented upon Isaiah chapter 61,

Capernaum was the base for Jesus' Galilean ministry, (cf. Lk 4:31, 37, 43-44). He did many miracles and much teaching in Capernaum, but also throughout Galilee. Although Capernaum was at that time a worldwide strategic city - a busy international trade center - located on the great caravan trail, the famous Via Maris, (the 'way of the sea,' which began in Mesopotamia, passaged through Damascus, and made its way for hundreds of miles to Egypt, and although it afforded great and widespread attention for Jesus' ministry; nevertheless Jesus stated that His purpose was to minister to all whom He could reach - Jew and Gentile. So Jesus told those who urged Him to remain exclusive to Capernaum that He needed to move throughout the region and even further - to all peoples of the world.

(Lk 4:44 NKJV) "And He was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee." =

(Commentary on Lk 4:44) So Jesus continued to preach in the synagogues throughout Galilee.

An examination of the gospels of Matthew and Mark relative to this section in Lk 4:31-44, corroborates what Luke wrote without contradiction or conflict with the other gospel account:

******

CHART #2
Matthew	Mark	Luke
After Matthew's account of the healing of the Centurion's servant, (Mt 8:5-13; Lk 7:1-10 - which Luke did not place in chronological order ), author Matthew then writes of Jesus' healing of Peter's mother-in-Law. Matthew's account of the healing of Peter's mother-in-Law is not strictly stipulated as the next chronological event. It begins with "kai elthOn ho IEsous eis tEn oikian Petrou," lit., and having come [the] Jesus into the house of Peter" which allows for the passage of time and events from the healing of the Centurion's servant to the healing of Peter's mother-in-Law. Hence it is not strictly chronological. So Matthew's account allows for events and time between the healing of the Centurion's servant and the healing of Simon's Mother-in-Law	Mark 1:16-20 is Mark's account of Jesus' calling of the first disciples to immediately follow Him. Verse 21 continues this account in a chronological format with the disciples and Jesus going into Capernaum and immediately on the Sabbath Jesus entered the synagagogue there and was teaching. Then - allowing for time and events in between - on one Sabbath, Jesus cast out demons from a man. Mark then declares Jesus' fame spread throughout all the region around Galilee. The next verse, (Mk 1:29), begins with, "kai eutheOs ek tEs sunagOgEs elthOn eis tEn oikian SimOnos," lit., "And immediately out of the synagogue having gone forth they came into the house of Simon," - a clear chronological statement. Mark 1:21-28 (NKJV) 21 Then they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught. 22 And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 23 Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, 24 saying, "Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are--the Holy One of God!" 25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be quiet, and come out of him!" 26 And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him. 27 Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him." 28 And immediately His fame spread throughout all the region around Galilee.''' So Mark's account corroborates the chronological order of Luke	Luke's account of Jesus's rejection in Nazareth, (Lk 4:16-30), is followed by "kai katElthen eis Kapernaoum" lit., and He went down into Capernaum." The conjunction "and" allows for time and events in between - hence a strict chronological format is not in view. The verb "went down," is not significant since Capernaum is by the Sea of Galilee, and most journeys to there from the region of Galilee would be down to sea level. Hence Jesus' leaving Nazareth cannot be imposed upon this verse, as some contend in order to create a conflict with Matthew. In Capernaum verse 31 indicates that Jesus was teaching on the Sabbaths. And on one Sabbath - allowing for time and events, Jesus cast out demons from a man, (Lk 4:31-37). The next verse is chronolocical. beginning with "anastas de ek tEs sunagOgEs eisElthen eis tEn oikian SimOnos," lit., having risen up and out of the synagogue, He entered into the house of Simon. Luke 4:31-37 (NKJV) 31 '''Then He went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and was teaching them on the Sabbaths. 32 And they were astonished at His teaching, for His word was with authority. 33 Now in the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon. And he cried out with a loud voice, 34 saying, "Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are--the Holy One of God!" 35 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be quiet, and come out of him!" And when the demon had thrown him in their midst, it came out of him and did not hurt him. 36 Then they were all amazed and spoke among themselves, saying, "What a word this is! For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out." 37 And the report about Him went out into every place in the surrounding region.''' So Luke's account corroborates the chronological order of Mark
Simon's Mother-in-Law Healed Matthew 8:14-15 (NKJV) 14 '''Now when Jesus had come into Simon's house, He saw his wife's mother lying sick with a fever. 15 So He touched her hand, and the fever left her. And she arose and served them.'''	Simon's Mother-in-Law Healed Mark 1:29-31 (NKJV) 29 '''Now as soon as they had come out of the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 But Simon's wife's mother lay sick with a fever, and they told Him about her at once. 31 So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. And she served them.'''	Simon's Mother-in-Law Healed Luke 4:38-39 (NKJV) 38 '''Now He arose from the synagogue and entered Simon's house. But Simon's wife's mother was sick with a high fever, and they made request of Him concerning her. 39 So He stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. And immediately she arose and served them.'''
Jesus Ministers Throughout Galilee Matthew 4:23-25; 8:16-17 (NKJV) 23 '''And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. 24 Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them. 25 Great multitudes followed Him--from Galilee, and from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan.''' Matthew 8:16-17 (NKJV) 16 When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, 17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: "He Himself took our infirmities And bore our sicknesses." '''	Jesus Ministers Throughout Galilee Mark 1:32-39 (NKJV) 32 '''At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed. 33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door. 34 Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him. 35 Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. 36 And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him. 37 When they found Him, they said to Him, "Everyone is looking for You." 38 But He said to them, "Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth." 39 And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons.'''	Jesus Ministers Throughout Galilee Luke 4:40-44 (NKJV) 40 '''When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them. 41 And demons also came out of many, crying out and saying, "You are the Christ, the Son of God!" And He, rebuking them, did not allow them to speak, for they knew that He was the Christ. 42 Now when it was day, He departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowd sought Him and came to Him, and tried to keep Him from leaving them; 43 but He said to them, "I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent." 44 And He was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee.'''

****** END OF EXCERPT FROM LUKE CHAPTER 4 ******

I) [Lk 5:1-11]:

(Lk 5:1 NASB) "Now it happened that while the crowd was pressing around Him and listening to the word of God, He was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, (Sea of Galilee);

(Lk 5:2 NASB) and He saw two boats lying at the edge of the lake; but the fishermen had gotten out of them and were washing their nets.

(Lk 5:3 YLT) and having entered into one of the boats, that was Simon's, he asked him to put back a little from the land, and having sat down, was teaching the multitudes out of the boat.

(Lk 5:4 NASB) When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, 'Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.

(Lk 5:5 NASB) Simon answered and said, "Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets.

(Lk 5:6 NASB) When they had done this, they enclosed a great quantity of fish, and their nets began to break;

(Lk 5:7 NASB) so they signaled to their partners in the other boat for them to come and help them. And they came and filled both of the boats, so that they began to sink.

(Lk 5:8 NASB) But when Simon Peter saw that, he fell down at Jesus' feet, saying, 'Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man!'

(Lk 5:9 NASB) For amazement had seized him and all his companions because of the catch of fish which they had taken;

(Lk 5:10 NASB) and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, 'Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men.'

(Lk 5:11 NASB) So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.

A) (Lk 5:1-3) [As The Crowd Which Was Following Jesus Was Pressing In On Him To Hear God's Word, He Was Standing By Lake Gennesaret, i.e., The Sea Of Galilee. And Jesus Saw Two Boats Lying At The Edge Of The Lake; But The Fishermen Had Gotten Out Of Them And Were Washing Their Nets. And Having Entered Into One Of The Boats, That Was Simon's, He Asked Him To Put Back A Little From The Land, And Having Sat Down, Was Teaching The Multitudes Out Of The Boat]:

(Lk 5:1 NASB) "Now it happened that while the crowd was pressing around Him and listening to the word of God, He was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, (Sea of Galilee);"

In Lk 5:1 it indicates that the crowd of people who were following Jesus was pressing in on Him as he was standing by Lake Gennesaret, (Sea of Galilee) - another name for the sea of Galilee. It is implied that there was not going to be sufficient space for Jesus to effectively address the crowds of people that were gathering around Him.

1) [Manuscript Evidence For Lk 5:2]:

The expression rendered "two boats," found in P75, Sinaiticus(c), C(3), D, Theta, f(1,13), Maj, is the reading in TR and NU. Other manuscripts (B, W), have the words in reverse order (so WH), one (Sinaiticus*, lacks "two," and several (A, C, L, Q, Psi, 33) read "two small boats." The last two readings could be the result of scribal conformity to Mk 3:9, whereas the TR, NU readings may be the result of scribal conformity to the immediate context.

Whereupon in vv. 2-3, it says that Jesus saw two boats lying at the edge of the Lake; but the fishermen had gotten out of them and were washing their nets, (v. 2). So He got into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked them to put out a little way from the land. And He sat down and began teaching the people [lit., crowds] from the boat, (v. 3) - the Word of God, (v. 1).

2) [Expositor's Bible Commentary On Lk 5:1-3]:

1-3 ''' "One day" (v. 1) ["egeneto" rendered "Now it happened that" in the NASB] represents the simple egeneto ("it happened [that]"; KJV, "it came to pass"). It does not indicate a specific chronological sequence. The geographical description is more precise: "lake" is used instead of the more general word "sea." Luke mentions the pressure of the crowds, as he occasionally does elsewhere (8:42, 45; 19:3). Their attention is on the "word of God," another instance of Luke's focus on the "word" (cf. 4:32, 36). The shore of the lake provided an excellent acoustically serviceable amphitheater. Luke, being observant of detail, draws our attention to two boats (v. 2). Next he singles out Simon as the owner of one of them (v. 3). The description in v. 2 along with the comment in v. 5 serve to emphasize the futility of the night's work. Luke is careful to mention that Jesus again teaches - now from the boat, from which His voice would carry across the water to the crowd. Not even the next event, miraculous as it is, may, in Luke's narrative, be allowed to direct attention away from Jesus' teaching ministry.'''

3) Although Mt 4:18-22, Mk 1:16-20 and Jn 1:35-42 are not identical to Lk 5:1-11, they are passages which portray some events which fit into the sequence of events in Lk 5:1-11 and thereby are evidently parallel passages of the events in Lk 5:1-11:

a) [Compare Mt 4:18-22]:

(Mt 4:18 NASB) "Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.

(Mt 4:19 NASB) And He *said to them, 'Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.'

(Mt 4:20 NASB) Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.

(Mt 4:21 NASB) Going on from there He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and He called them.

(Mt 4:22 NASB) Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him."

b) [Compare Mk 1:16-20]:

(Mk 1:16 NASB) "As He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen.

(Mk 1:17 NASB) And Jesus said to them, 'Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.'

(Mk 1:18 NASB) Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.

(Mk 1:19 NASB) Going on a little farther, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were also in the boat mending the nets.

(Mk 1:20 NASB) Immediately He called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went away to follow Him."

c) [Compare Jn 1:35-42]:

(Jn 1:35 NASB) "Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples,

(Jn 1:36 NASB) and he looked at Jesus as He walked, and *said, 'Behold, the Lamb of God!'

(Jn 1:37 NASB) The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.

(Jn 1:38 NASB) And Jesus turned and saw them following, and *said to them, 'What do you seek?' They said to Him, 'Rabbi (which translated means Teacher), where are You staying?'

(Jn 1:39 NASB) He *said to them, 'Come, and you will see.' So they came and saw where He was staying; and they stayed with Him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.

(Jn 1:40 NASB) One of the two who heard John speak and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.

(Jn 1:41 NASB) He *found first his own brother Simon and *said to him, 'We have found the Messiah' (which translated means Christ).

(Jn 1:42 NASB) He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, 'You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas" (which is translated Peter).' "

4) Although Mt 13:2-3; Mk 3:9-11; 13-14; 4:1-2 each portray an event of Jesus' teaching from a fishing boat to a crowd of people ashore in a manner similar to when Jesus preached in Lk 5:1-11, these passages do not fit into the sequence of events of Lk 5:1-11. Hence they are not parallel passages which corroborate the context of Luke 5:1-11

a) [Compare Mt 13:2-3]:

(Mt 13:2 NASB) "And large crowds gathered to Him, so He got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd was standing on the beach.

(Mt 13:3 NASB) And He spoke many things to them in parables, saying, "Behold, the sower went out to sow ..."

b) [Compare Mk 3:9-11; 13-14]:

(Mk 3:9 NASB) "And He told His disciples that a boat should stand ready for Him because of the crowd, so that they would not crowd Him;

(Mk 3:10 NASB) for He had healed many, with the result that all those who had afflictions pressed around Him in order to touch Him...

(Mk 3:13 NASB) And He *went up on the mountain and *summoned those whom He Himself wanted, and they came to Him.

(Mk 3:14 NASB) And He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could send them out to preach,) ... [thereafter Jesus went back to the sea and taught many things in parables:

c) [Compare Mk 4:1-2]:

(Mk 4:1 NASB) "He began to teach again by the sea. And such a very large crowd gathered to Him that He got into a boat in the sea and sat down; and the whole crowd was by the sea on the land.

(Mk 4:2 NASB) And He was teaching them many things in parables, and was saying to them in His teaching,
"
B) (Lk 5:4-7) When Jesus Had Finished Speaking, He Said To Simon, 'Put Out Into The Deep Water And Let Down Your Nets For A Catch. Simon Answered And Said, 'Master, We Worked Hard All Night And Caught Nothing, But I Will Do As You Say And Let Down The Nets.' When They Had Done This, They Enclosed A Great Quantity Of Fish, And Their Nets Began To Break; So They Signaled To Their Partners In The Other Boat For Them To Come And Help Them. And They Came And Filled Both Of The Boats, So That They Began To Sink

(Lk 5:4 NASB) "When He [Jesus] had finished speaking, He said to Simon, 'Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch. (Lk 5:5 NASB) Simon answered and said, 'Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets.' (Lk 5:6 NASB) When they had done this, they enclosed a great quantity of fish, and their nets began to break; (Lk 5:7 NASB) so they signaled to their partners in the other boat for them to come and help them. And they came and filled both of the boats, so that they began to sink." =

When Jesus had finished speaking to the crowds, He asked Simon to put out into the deep water and let down the nets for a catch. Simon answered 'Master,' signifying his faith in Who Jesus is, 'we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets,' further demonstrating his faith in Who Jesus is. And when they had done this, they enclosed a great quantity of fish, and their nets began to break with the load; so they signaled to their partners in the other boat for them to come and help them. And they came and filled both of the boats, so that they began to sink.

C) (Lk 5:8-11) But When Simon Peter Saw That They Had Caught So Many Fish, He Fell Down At Jesus' Feet, Saying, 'Go Away From Me Lord, For I Am A Sinful Man!' For Amazement Had Seized Him And All His Companions Because Of The Catch Of Fish Which They Had Taken; And So Also Were James And John, Sons Of Zebedee, Who Were Partners With Simon. And Jesus Said To Simon, 'Do Not Fear, From Now On You Will Be Catching Men.' So When They Had Brought Their Boats To Land, They Forsook All And Followed Him

(Lk 5:8 NASB) "But when Simon Peter saw that, he fell down at Jesus' feet, saying, 'Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man!' (Lk 5:9 NASB) For amazement had seized him and all his companions because of the catch of fish which they had taken; (Lk 5:10 NASB) and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, 'Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men.' (Lk 5:11 NASB) So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him." =

1) [Manuscript Evidence For Lk 5:10-11]:

(Lk 5:10 NASB) "and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, 'Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men.' (Lk 5:11 NASB) So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him." =

D and it(e) changed these verses to make them conform to Matthew and Mark, so that Jesus' call would not be to Peter alone, but to James and John as well. As it turns out, in Luke's account James and John also respond to Jesus' call - even though it is specifically directed toward Peter.

2) [Commentary on Lk 5:8-11]:

But when Simon Peter saw that they had caught so many fish - miraculously, he fell down at Jesus' feet, saying, 'Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man!' evidencing a self-realizaton of his sinfulness and a knowledge and faith in Who Jesus is: the sinless Son of God. For amazement had seized him and all his companions because of the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, 'Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men,' in the sense of convincing men about Who Jesus is and their believing in and following Him in discipleship. So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all, having believed in Him, thereby having chosen to be His disciples to follow Him. Note that this subject is related to the passage of Luke chapter 6:12-20 which has in view the choosing of the Twelve Apostles from amongst all of Jesus' disciples at that time .

II) [Lk 5:12-16]:

(Lk 5:12 NASB) While He was in one of the cities, behold, there was a man covered with leprosy; and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, 'Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.'

(Lk 5:13 YLT) and [Jesus] having stretched [out] His hand, He touched him, having said, 'I will; be thou cleansed;' and immediately the leprosy went away from him.

(Lk 5:14 NASB) And He ordered him to tell no one, 'But go and show yourself to the priest and make an offering for your cleansing, just as Moses commanded, as a testimony to them [i.e., to those instructions].'

(Lk 5:15 NASB) But the news about Him was spreading even farther, and large crowds were gathering to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses.

(Lk 5:16 NASB) But Jesus Himself would often slip away [lit., was withdrawing - imperfect tense] to the wilderness and pray.

A) (Lk 5:12-16) While Jesus Was In One Of The Cities He Was Preaching In, There Was A Man Covered With Leprosy; And When The Man Saw Jesus, He Fell On His Face And Implored Jesus, Saying, 'If You Are Willing, You Can Make Me Clean.' and [Jesus] having stretched [Out] His hand, He [Jesus] Touched Him [The Man Covered With Leprosy], Having Said, 'I Will; Be Cleansed;' And Immediately [And Miraculously] The Leprosy Went Away From Him. And Jesus Ordered The Man To Tell No One, [Because He Was Constantly Besieged By People Which Caused Him To Have To Constantly Withdraw Into The Wilderness To Pray] Jesus Said 'But Go And Show Yourself To The Priest And Make An Offering For Your Cleansing, Just As Moses Commanded, As A Testimony To Them.' But The News About Jesus Was Spreading Even Farther, And Large Crowds Were Gathering To Hear Him And To Be Healed Of Their Sicknesses. So Jesus Himself Would Often Slip Away Into The Wilderness And Pray. For He Had Even Greater Things To Do

(Lk 5:12 NASB) "While He was in one of the cities, behold, there was a man covered with leprosy; and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, 'Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.' (Lk 5:13 YLT) and [Jesus] having stretched [out] His hand, He touched him, having said, 'I will; [Be Cleansed];' and immediately the leprosy went away from him. (Lk 5:14 NASB) And He ordered him to tell no one, 'But go and show yourself to the priest and make an offering for your cleansing, just as Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.' (Lk 5:15 NASB) But the news about Him was spreading even farther, and large crowds were gathering to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses. (Lk 5:16 NASB) But Jesus Himself would often slip away [lit., was withdrawing - imperfect tense] to the wilderness and pray." =

Lk 5:12, which reads "While He was in one of the cities, behold, there was a man covered with leprosy; and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, 'Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.' " indicates that while Jesus was preaching in one of the cities, He encountered a man covered with leprosy - the phraseology indicating a rather severe case of this disease. In Scripture the Greek word "lepras" rendered "leprosy" refers to a range of skin ailments, not necessarily to what is today medically named Hansen's disease. The man is descibed as "plērēs" rendered "full" (of leprosy). So the implication by Luke, a medical doctor, in this passage is one which pictures a rather serious, advanced stage of a contagious (by touch) skin condition - a repulsive "unclean" disease which is highly infectious. Hence the strict segregation and extreme ostracism, physical, social and psychological isolation which Jewish law required by that society; including laws against touching one with such a disease and consequent cleansing required if that were to occur, (cf. Lev 13, esp v. 45). A leprous person could not worship at the central sancturary, he was ceremonially (and actually), unclean and therefore cut off completely from the community.

Notice that in Lk 5:12b-c, the assumption is made that the leprous man has some knowledge of Jesus' prior miraculous healings. For the man's words rendered, 'Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean,' indicate the man's trust in Jesus' capacity to heal him should He be willing; and that the man indicated that he was not worthy of healing, but nevertheless reached out to Jesus for it.

1) [Bible Knowledge Commentary]:

"Healing from leprosy was rare. The Scriptures record only Miriam (Num. 12) and Naaman (2 Kings 5) as having been healed of leprosy (cf. Moses; Ex. 4:6-7). Thus it would have been extremely unusual for a person to present himself before the priest and offer the sacrifices... for... cleansing. Instructions for an offering for cleansing from leprosy are given in Leviticus 14:1-32. Luke 5:14 emphasized the phrase as a testimony to them, [i.e., to those instructions]. The fact that a man would go to the priest claiming healing from leprosy would alert the religious leaders that something new was afoot in Israel."

So Luke's account of Jesus' miraculous healing of the leper served to corroborate that Jesus was the promised Messiah to come which author Luke referred to in Lk 4:18:

2) [Lk 4:18]:

(Lk 4:18 YLT) [Jesus read out loud from the Scrollet to the congregation in the synagogue in Nazareth]: "[The] Spirit of [the] LORD is upon Me, Because He did anoint Me to proclaim good news to [the] poor. [He has] sent Me to heal the broken of heart, to proclaim to captives deliverance [Gk "aphesin" lit., pardon or remission (of sin)]; and to [the] blind [the] receiving of sight, to dispatch [the oppressed] with deliverance [Gk "aphesei" lit., pardon or remission (of sin)]."

3) [Compare Isa 61:1 which Jesus quoted from as reported in Lk 4:18 above]:

(Isa 61:1 Septuagint) "The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, because He hath anointed me; He hath sent me to preach good tidings unto the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and sight to the blind."

According to the Septuagint (LXX), God, through the indwelling Spirit sent the One Who has the Spirit of the LORD GOD upon Him to restore sight to the blind in the literal sense implying healing of all kinds of diseases, especially blindness. Note that some Hebrew MSS including 1QIsaa, take the phrase rendered "release ..... for the prisoners" to be one word, meaning opening, which word has as its root a Hebrew word that is regularly used to convey opening of the eyes. So the phrase, "And the opening of the prison to those who are bound" in the NKJV is rendered as "and sight to the blind" in the LXX. Hence the last phrase in Isaiah 61:1 in the LXX is rendered "to proclaim liberty to the captives, and sight to the blind," which is what Jesus is quoted as reading from the Scrollet in the synagogue in Nazareth, (Lk 4:18). Note that the Messiah / Savior to come was prophesied as healing illnesses and bringing sight to the blind, (cf. Isa 35:5), which is what Jesus frequently did do; as well as raising from the dead .

In Lk 5:13, which reads "and [Jesus] having stretched [out] His hand, He touched him, having said, 'I will; [Be Cleansed];' and immediately the leprosy went away from him;' " there was evidently no hesitation by Jesus right after the man voiced his request: "having stretched [out] His hand, He touched him, having said, 'I will;' whereupon Jesus said: "Be Cleansed." And the verse goes on to read, "Immediately the leprosy went away from him," indicating a miraculous healing - a rarity, especially when it came to this disease. This was another corroboration that Jesus was and is the Messiah.

4) [In Lk 5:14 There Is Manuscript Evidence Which Needs To Be Investigated. The Verse Is Best Rendered, "And He Ordered Him To Tell No One, 'But Go And Show Yourself To The Priest And Make An Offering For Your Cleansing, Just As Moses Commanded, As A Testimony To Them [i.e., To Those Instructions.' "]

(Lk 5:14 NASB) "And He ordered him to tell no one, 'But go and show yourself to the priest and make an offering for your cleansing, just as Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.' " =

The pronoun in the expression rendered "for a testimony to them," found in most manuscripts, was changed to be rendered "you" in D, it (Marcion). And at the end of this verse D has a lengthy addition, adapted from Mark 1:45 rendered 'But he went out and began to talk freely about it and to spread the news, so that He [Jesus] could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in wilderness places. People came to Him, and He went back to Capernaum." This is another instance of D's editorial liberty and attempt to force harmonization.

So in Lk 5:14, Jesus ordered the man who had his leprosy cured to tell no one. Jesus said, 'But go and show yourself to the priest and make an offering for your cleansing, just as Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.' Note that when the cleansed leper showed himself to the priest it corroborated to the people in the first century and today, once more that Jesus was and is the Messiah:

5) [Compare Lk 7-18-23]:

(Lk 7:18 NASB) ''''The disciples of John reported to him about all these things.

(Lk 7:19 NASB) Summoning two of his disciples, John sent them to the Lord, saying, '''Are You the Expected One, or do we look for someone else?'''

(Lk 7:20 NASB) When the men came to Him, they said, "John the Baptist has sent us to You, to ask, 'Are You the Expected One, or do we look for someone else?' "

(Lk 7:21 NASB) At that very time He cured many people of diseases and afflictions and evil spirits; and He gave sight to many who were blind.

(Lk 7:22 NASB) And He answered and said to them, '''Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: the "Blind receive sight," [Isa 35:5], the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, [Isa 26:19 - this is a description of the resurection of dead bodies, predominantly of the people of Israel which people are resurrected unto the Eternal Kingdom of God implying the work of the Messiah to come ]; the 'Poor have the gospel preached to them,' [Isa 61:1]

(Lk 7:23 NASB) '''Blessed is he who does not take offense at Me.''' ''''

Despite Jesus' commanding those whom He healed not to tell others, it indicates in Lk 5:15 which reads, "But the news about Him was spreading even farther, and large crowds were gathering to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses," that the news about Jesus was spreading even farther, and large crowds were gathering to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses.

In Lk 5:16, as a result of the overwhelming crowding of Jesus wherever He went, which constantly conflicted with His key mission - that of doing the works of the Messiah fulfilling the prophecies about Him corroborating Who He is; and fulfilling His basic mission of sacrificial suffering for the sins of the world before being publicly proclaimed and coming as Messiah / Savior to Israel (and the world) to rule from His throne - Jesus would often slip away [lit., was withdrawing - imperfect tense indicating repeated action] to the wilderness and pray. For the crowds might attempt to force upon Jesus their commonly held view of the Messiah as a military or political liberator.

6) [Expositor's Bible Commentary On Lk 5:15-16]:

"15-16 If the command to silence is part of a pattern in the Gospels, so is the failure to obey it. The immediate effect of the healing is Jesus' increased popularity. Though this popularity leads others to come and be healed (v. 15), Jesus is forced to withdraw in order to seek quiet (v. 16). Once again Luke speaks of Jesus' habit of prayer (cf. note on 3:21). In contrast to his earlier freedom to minister in 'the towns' (v. 12), Jesus must now make a practice of finding solitude in deserted areas."

Note that both healings [of the man covered with leprosy and of the paralyzed man of Lk 5:17-26] authenticated Jesus' claim to be the Messiah as indicated in Lk 4:18-21 which quotes from Isa 61:1-2 and which points to Isa 49:1-3 .

III) [Lk 5:17-26]:

(Lk 5:17 HOLMAN) "On one of those days while He was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the Law were sitting there who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea, and also from Jerusalem. And the Lord’s power to heal was in Him."

(Lk 5:18 NASB) And some men were carrying on a bed a man who was paralyzed; and they were trying to bring him in and to set him down in front of Him.

(Lk 5:19 YLT) and not having found by what way they may bring him in because of the multitude, having gone up on the house-top, through the tiles they let him down, with the little couch, into the midst before Jesus,

(Lk 5:20 YLT) and He having seen their faith, said to him, 'Man, [your] sins have been forgiven [you].'

(Lk 5:21 NASB) The scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, 'Who is this man who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?'

(Lk 5:22 NKJV) But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, 'Why are you reasoning [these things] in your hearts?

(Lk 5:23 NASB) Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins have been forgiven you,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'?

(Lk 5:24 NASB) But, so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins, - He said to the paralytic - 'I say to you, get up, and pick up your stretcher and go home.'

(Lk 5:25 YLT) And presently having risen before them, having taken up that on which he was lying, he went away to his house, glorifying God,

(Lk 5:26 YLT) and astonishment took all, and they were glorifying God, and were filled with fear, saying - 'We saw strange things to-day.' "

A) (Lk 5:17) On One Of Those Days While He Was Teaching, Pharisees And Teachers Of The Law Were Sitting There Who Had Come From Every Village Of Galilee And Judea, And Also From Jerusalem. And The Lord's Power To Heal Was In Him As They Observed And Attempted To Judge What He Said And Did Relative To Their Interpretation Of The Law

1) [Manuscript Evidence For Lk 5:17a]:

As TR, WH, NU read that it is the scribes and teachers of the Law who had come there from every village of Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem. D (it(e), syr(s) adjusted this as follows: "It occurred on one of those days when He was teaching that the scribes and teachers of the Law came together. But when they were together, people came from every village of Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem."

2) [Manuscript Evidence For Lk 5:17b]:

WH, NU, Sinaiticus, B, L, W, Xi, syr(s), cop(sa), Didymus read "The power of the Lord was there for Him to heal"

variant, TR, A, C, D, Xi, Psi, f(1,13), 33, Maj, cop(bo) read "the power of the Lord was present to heal them".

The WH, NU reading, having early and diverse support, is likely original. The variant probably arose when scribes were unable to make sense of "him" as a direct object of "to heal;" so they changed it to "them." In fact, "him" is the subject of the infinitive phrase rendered "to heal." The text does not emphasize Who Jesus was healing (that comes in the next verse), but that He had the Lord God's power to heal.

3) [Commentary On Lk 5:17]:

In Lk 5:17, the Greek phrase rendered "And it came to pass on one of the days that He [Jesus] was teaching [present participle] implies a connection with the previous context wherein Jesus was teaching over a period of time during which one of those days and within that period - not necessarily the next day immediately following the context of the previous verse - some Pharisees and teachers of the Law were sitting there who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem and the power of the LORD was present for Him to perform healing. It is implied here that the power of the LORD to perform healing was present in Jesus' Humanity - in His Human spirit through the indwelling Holy Spirit which the latter Jesus received when He was water baptized by John the Baptist, (ref. Lk 3:21-22 ). It is also implied that the Pharisees and teachers of the Law were present in order to investigate Who Jesus was and if His actions were violating the Law as they interpreted it - especially considering that He was teaching, healing, etc. independently from being under the authority of the Jewish rulers.

The Pharisees had, earlier in their history, helped the Jews maintain the purity of their religion by teaching how the Mosaic Law and the traditions that grew up along side it ought to be applied in daily life. Many of them became rigid, imbalanced, and hypocritical.

******

a) [Later In Lk 11:37-54, Author Luke Goes Into Detail On The Pharisees And The Teachers Of The Law Investigating Jesus' Activities And Plotting Against Him, . Furthermore, Jesus' Words Are Of And Declare That He Is The Wisdom Of God]

(Lk 11:37 YLT) '''And in His speaking, [i.e., as He spoke], a certain Pharisee was asking Him that He might dine with him, and having gone in, reclined [at the table.]

(Lk 11:38 NASB) When the Pharisee saw it, he was surprised that He had not first ceremonially washed before the meal.

(Lk 11:39 NASB) But the Lord said to him, "Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and of the platter; but inside of you, you are full of robbery and wickedness.

(Lk 11:40 NASB) You foolish ones, did not He Who made the outside make the inside also?

(Lk 11:41 NASB) But give that which is within as charity, and then all things are clean for you.

(Lk 11:42 NASB) But woe to you Pharisees! For you pay tithe of mint and rue and every kind of garden herb, and yet disregard justice and the love of God; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.

(Lk 11:43 NASB) Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the chief seats in the synagogues and the respectful greetings in the market places.

(Lk 11:44 NASB) Woe to you! For you are like concealed tombs, and the people who walk over them are unaware of it."

(Lk 11:45 NASB) One of the lawyers said [lit., answering] to Him in reply, "Teacher, when You say this, You insult us too."

[Notice that the lawyer called Jesus "Teacher."]

(Lk 11:46 NASB) But He [Jesus] said, "Woe to you lawyers as well! For you weigh men down with burdens hard to bear, while you yourselves will not even touch the burdens with one of your fingers.

(Lk 11:47 NASB) Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets, and it was your fathers who killed them.

(Lk 11:48 NASB) So you are witnesses and approve the deeds of your fathers; because it was they who killed them, and you build their tombs.

******

(Lk 11:49 NASB) For this reason also the wisdom of God said, 'I will send to them prophets and apostles, and some of them they will kill and some they will persecute,

(Lk 11:50 NASB) so that the blood of all the prophets, shed since the foundation of the world, may be charged against this generation,

(Lk 11:51 NASB) from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the house of God; yes, I tell you, it shall be charged against this generation.'

(Lk 11:52 NASB) Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge; you yourselves did not enter, and you hindered those who were entering."

(Lk 11:53 NASB) When He left there, the scribes and the Pharisees began to be very hostile and to question Him closely on many subjects,

(Lk 11:54 NASB) plotting against Him to catch Him in something He might say."

[Since in 1 Cor 1:22-24, Lk 7:34-35 and Mt 11:19, Jesus Christ is Personified as the power of God and the wisdom of God; the Son of Man, Jesus Christ, as the wisdom of God; and as the Jesus Who vindicates Himself through His deeds which are characterized as wisdom, respectively;

and since Jesus stipulated and implied that His words and wisdom were irrefutable hence were the wisdom of God, (ref. Lk 21:15);

and since Mt 23:34 attributes a very similar message to Lk 11:49-51 to words originally spoken by Jesus Himself and not to something that someone else wrote down;

and since Jesus' deeds and words and Scripture convey that He is God which implies He has and is the wisdom of God;

and since certain phrases customarily used to indicate that one is quoting Scripture or some other source, such phrases as "it is written," or "have you not read," etc. are NOT in view in Lk 11:49-51;

then Jesus is saying in Lk 11:49-51 that through Him the phrase rendered "the wisdom of God said [in the sense of He Himself making an original prophetic statement - yet to be fulfilled], "I [Jesus Christ] will send to them [the Pharisees, scribes, lawyers of the Law, Lk 11:39-54] prophets and apostles, and some of them they will kill and some they will persecute, so that the blood of all the prophets, shed since the foundation of the world, may be charged against this generation, (ref. Lk 11:50)," in the sense of holding accountable those of the first century to whom He was speaking; which nevertheless persecutions of the prophets during the previous age foreshadowed and to whom those scribes, lawyers and Pharisees of the first century He declared would be held accountable even for those persecutions done to the prophets of the past age, (refs. 1 Kgs 19:10, 14; Jer 7:25-26; Mal 3:10);

So the words that Jesus said in Lk 11:49-51 were not quotations from Scripture, nor from the Apocrypha nor from Jewish wisdom literature, as some maintain in order to invalidate the trustworthiness of Scripture because they cannot be found anywhere other than from the mouth of Jesus Himself. For the words that Jesus spoke were original and His own: the wisdom of God because He is God and because He was foretelling the future, not quoting Scripture about the past age, nor is He quoting from any writing.

3 cont) [Commentary On Lk 5:17 cont.)]:

So in view of the first phrase in Lk 5:17 rendered, "On one of those days while He was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the Law were sitting there who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea, and also from Jerusalem;" author Luke finishes the thought in the last phrase which is rendered, "And the Lord's power to heal was in Him;' evidently to now bring focus upon Jesus' miraculous healing which was to demonstrate even to them that the Lord God's power to heal was in Jesus - in the sense of the power of the Spirit of God Who indwells Jesus' Human spirit as a result of the Baptism given Him by John the Baptist - another fulfillment of prophecies concerning Who the Promised Messiah to come is.

Note that the 'teachers of the Law' were not a religious group, like the Pharisees, though most of them were also Pharisees, (ref. Lk 2:46; Acts 5:34). They were respected as having expert knowledge of the details of the Jewish legal tradition and so would be expected to comment upon and react to Jesus' teaching as well as His healing in order to protect their authority and reputation as well, regardless of how reliable and truthful their determinations might be.

REVIEW EXCERPTS FROM LUKE CHAPTER 4

OR MOVE ON TO NEXT SECTION

(Lk 4:32 NKJV) "And they were astonished at His teaching, for His word was with authority." =

(Lk 4:35 NKJV) "But Jesus rebuked him, saying, 'Be quiet, and come out of him!' And when the demon had thrown him in their midst, it came out of him and did not hurt him." =

(Lk 4:37 NASB) "And the report about Him was spreading into every locality in the surrounding district. " =

[Compare Lk 4:14-15]:

(Lk 4:14 YLT) "And Jesus turned back in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a fame went forth through all the region round about concerning Him,

(Lk 4:15 YLT) and He was teaching in their synagogues, being glorified by all."

END OF EXCERPTS FROM LUKE CHAPTER 4

B) (Lk 5:18-19) And Some Men Were Carrying On A Bed A Man Who Was Paralyzed; And They Were Trying To Bring Him In And To Set Him Down In Front Of Him. And Not Having Found By What Way They May Bring Him In Because Of The Multitude, Having Gone Up On The House-Top, Through The Tiles They Let Him Down, With The Little Couch, Into The Midst Before Jesus.

(Lk 5:18 NASB) "And some men were carrying on a bed a man who was paralyzed; and they were trying to bring him in and to set him down in front of Him. (Lk 5:19 YLT) and not having found by what way they may bring him in because of the multitude, having gone up on the house-top, through the tiles they let him down, with the little couch, into the midst before Jesus," =

After focusing upon the Pharisees and teachers of the Law and how they followed Jesus around in order to see if He violated their interpretation of the Law; author Luke then focuses upon a different group of individuals who were evidently trusting in Jesus' capacity to heal. For they were trying to take a man who was paralyzed and bring him into where Jesus was standing in side of a household completely surrounded by a crowd of people. They did this by bringing him to the top of the house, removing tiles on the roof and letting him down through the opening in the roof and inside the house. They evidently went to a lot of trouble, even took liberties with another man's house in an urgent effort to have an opportunity to have a paralyzed men healed by Jesus - demonstrating their faith in Jesus' capacity and willingness to heal him.

Note that the typical roof was flat and could be reached by an outside stairway as it indicates in v. 19. The roofing materials could be easily removed affording entrance to the inside of the building below.

C) (Lk 5:20) And Jesus, Having Seen Their Faith, Said To The Man Who Was Paralyzed, 'Man, [Your] Sins Have Been Forgiven [You].'

(Lk 5:20 YLT) "and He having seen their faith, said to him, 'Man, [your] sins have been forgiven [you].' " =

Those who brought the paralytic to Jesus believed that Jesus would save him. Having seen their faith - referring to the four men, plural, Jesus first forgave the sins of the paralyzed man before healing him, (cf. Lk 5:24) - by proclaiming the man forgiven of his sins, Jesus was testifying to His Deity, for only God can forgive sins, (cf. Mk 2:7; Mt 9:1-8). Notice that the four men who brought the paralyzed man also demonstrated faith in Who Jesus is, which faith in Him He saw in them, (ref. Lk 5:20), implying that their sins were also forgiven. So it is stipulated in the text of Lk 5:20 and later implied in Lk 5:21-24 that Jesus declared that these men had their sins forgiven in such a manner that indicated that forgiving of sins was under His authority and knowledge - a capacity reserved for God alone. The paralyzed man evidently subsequently believed as well since he was healed and went away to his house, glorifying God as a result, (ref. Lk 5:24-25). So all five went away having been forgiven of their sins as well.

D) (Lk 5:21) The Scribes And The Pharisees Began To Reason, Saying, 'Who Is This Man Who Speaks Blasphemies? Who Can Forgive Sins, But God Alone? ' "

(Lk 5:21 NASB) "The scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, 'Who is this man who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?' " =

1) [Manuscript Evidence For Lk 5:21]:

D and it, borrowing from Mk 2:8, add "in their hearts" after "began to reason," which is not part of the original text.

Jesus' forgiving of sins raised questions amongst the scribes and Pharisees who followed Him around. They asked 'Who is this man who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?' Having heard what Jesus said, they stated, albeit correctly, that that prerogative is for God alone, hence implying that Jesus was assuming that He was God. If He was not God, one might ask, How did Jesus know that the men's sins were indeed forgiven.

2) (Lk 5:21) [Expositor's Bible Commentary On Lk 5:21]:

"In Jewish law conviction of blasphemy, which was a capital crime penalized by stoning, had to be based on unmistakable and overt defilement of the divine name. Luke shows that with His divine insight [being God], Jesus probed the unvoiced thoughts of the Pharisees and teachers of the Law, who were convinced that He had arrogated to Himself the divine preogative."

E) (Lk 5:22-24) Jesus Perceived Their Thoughts And Asked Why They Were Thinking That He Was Usurping The Authority Of God By Forgiving Sins. Whereupon He Evidently Answered Their Thoughts Proving Himself To Be God By Asking Which Is Easier, To Say, 'Your Sins Have Been Forgiven You,' Or To Say, 'Get Up And Walk?' Implying That He Did Have That Authority Because He Is God - The Son Of Man. He Explained That His Words And Actions Are So That They May Know That The Son Of Man, Himself - A Title Of Messiahship And Deity, Has Authority On Earth To Forgive Sins. Then He Said To The Paralytic - 'I Say To You, Get Up, And Pick Up Your Stretcher And Go Home.'

(Lk 5:22 NKJV) "But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, 'Why are you reasoning [these things] in your hearts? (Lk 5:23 NASB) Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins have been forgiven you,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? (Lk 5:24 NASB) But, so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins, - He said to the paralytic - 'I say to you, get up, and pick up your stretcher and go home.' " =

In Lk 5:22, author Luke writes, "But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, 'Why are you reasoning [these things] in your hearts?' " demonstrating His attribute of omniscience as God as well as His prerogative of forgiving sins, being God.

And in Lk 5:23-24, Jesus completes the point that He is making with the Jewish authorities - the scribes and Pharisees: Luke writes that Jesus says to the Jewish authorites who are considering Who He thinks He is and what He is doing, that He is usurping the prerogatives of God, healing people miraculously, teaching apart from and beyond what they teach and usurping their authority, even forgiving peoples sins, and knowing that they are forgiven - the sole prerogative of God:

[Jesus says in Lk 5:23] "Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins have been forgiven you,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'?"

To Jesus both are easy because of Who He is - the Son of Man - both God and Man, and what He can do - what He came to do as the Messiah.

Jesus further explains Who He is and the reason for all that He does in Lk 5:24: "But, so that you may know that the Son of Man [referring to Himself] has authority on earth to forgive sins, - [Luke then wrote: "He [Jesus] said to the paralytic - 'I say to you, get up, and pick up your stretcher and go home.' "

Note that the phrase rendered "the Son of Man" is a name which is closely associated, even identified with the word rendered Messiah, as well as with the Son of God, Who is God and all His Exclusive Attributes and Capacities including the forgiving of sins. Scripture teaches that prophecies about the Son of Man, Messiah, the Son of God are fulfilled in Jesus Christ and Him alone - Who is God .

F) (Lk 5:25-26) After Luke Reported That Jesus Said To The Paralytic Man - 'I Say To You, Get Up, And Pick Up Your Stretcher And Go Home;' The Paralytic Man Presently Did Just That. And As He Walked Away, He Glorified God. Astonishment Came Upon All Of Them, Including The Jewish Rulers. And All Were Glorifying God, And Were Filled With Fear In The Sense Of A Reverential Fear Of God. And All Were Saying, 'We Saw Strange Things Today.'

(Lk 5:25 YLT) "And presently having risen before them, having taken up that on which he was lying, he went away to his house, glorifying God, (Lk 5:26 YLT) and astonishment took all, and they were glorifying God, and were filled with fear, saying - 'We saw strange things to-day.' " =

1) (Lk 5:26) Manuscript Evidence For Lk 5:26]:

(Lk 5:26 YLT) "and astonishment took all, and they were glorifying God, and were filled with fear, saying - 'We saw strange things to-day.' "

D, W, Psi, it(e) dropped the words rendered "and astonishment took all and they were glorifying God" due to homoeoteleuton, that is, the eye of a scribe passing from the word rendered "glorifying God" to the words in the next verse rendered "glorifying God" leaving out the words in between.

2) [(Lk 5:25-26) Commentary On Lk 5:25-26]:

After Luke reported that Jesus said to the paralytic man, 'I say to you, get up, and pick up your stretcher and go home; the paralytic man presently did just that. And as he walked away, he glorified God. Astonishment came upon all of them, including the Jewish rulers. And all were glorifying God and were filled with fear in the sense of a reverential fear of God. And all were saying, 'We saw strange things today.'

IV) [Lk 5:27-39]:

(Lk 5:27 YLT) "And after these things he went forth, and beheld a tax-gatherer, by name Levi, sitting at the tax-office, and said to him, '[follow] Me;'

(Lk 5:28 YLT) and he, having left all, having arisen, did follow Him.

(Lk 5:29 NASB) And Levi gave a big reception for Him in his house; and there was a great crowd of tax collectors and other people who were reclining at the table with them.

(Lk 5:30 YLT) and the scribes and the Pharisees among them were murmuring at His disciples, saying, 'Wherefore with tax-gatherers and sinners do [you] eat and drink?'

(Lk 5:31 NASB) And Jesus answered and said to them, 'It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick.

(Lk 5:32 NASB) "I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance."

(Lk 5:33 NASB) And they said to Him, 'The disciples of John often fast and offer prayers, the disciples of the Pharisees also do the same, but Yours eat and drink.'

(Lk 5:34 NASB) And Jesus said to them, 'You cannot make the attendants of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them, can you?

(Lk 5:35 NASB) But the days will come; and when the bridegroom is taken away from them, then they will fast in those days.'

(Lk 5:37 NASB) 'And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled out, and the skins will be ruined.

(Lk 5:38 NASB) But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins.

(Lk 5:39 NASB) And no one, after drinking old wine wishes for new; for he says, 'The old is good enough.' "

A) (Lk 5:27-28) And After These Things - After Jesus Had Forgiven The Sins Of And Healed The Paralytic Man As Witnessed By The Scribes And Pharisees Who Were Pursuing Him, Whereupon All Left Astonished And Filled With A Reverential Fear Of God - Jesus Went Forth And Beheld A Tax-Gatherer, By Name Levi, Sitting At The Tax-Office, And Said To Him, '[Follow] Me.' And He [The Tax Gatherer] Having Left All, Having Arisen, Did Follow Him [Jesus]

(Lk 5:27 YLT) "And after these things he went forth, and beheld a tax-gatherer, by name Levi, sitting at the tax-office, and said to him, '[follow] Me;' (Lk 5:28 YLT) and he, having left all, having arisen, did follow Him." =

Author Luke writes in Lk 5:27 that after these things, i.e. after Jesus had forgiven the sins of the four men and the paralytic man; healed the paralytic man as witnessed by the scribes and Pharisees who were pursuing Him; and after all including the Pharisees and scribes left astonished and filled with a reverential fear of God, saying - 'We saw strange things to-day;' " Jesus went forth and beheld a tax-gatherer, by name Levi, sitting at the tax-office, and said to him, 'Follow Me.' And the tax gatherer having left all, having arisen, did follow Jesus. Notice Levi's decision to leave all of his possession in his temporal life behind him. He was evidently a wealthy man for a great banquet was prepared at his house for Jesus, (ref. Lk 5:29). So Matthew became poor, to follow Jesus, (ref Lk 6:20 ) - to become Jesus' disciple, after Jesus simply spoke those words, 'Follow Me.'

B) (Lk 5:29-32) Author Luke Writes Of The Big Reception That Matthew Gave For Jesus In His House Indicating That Matthew Was Wealthy - A Lot To Give Up To Follow Jesus. And There Was A Great Crowd Of Tax Collectors And Other People Who Were Reclining At The Table With Them. And The Scribes And The Pharisees Who Were Among Them Were Murmuring At Jesus' Disciples, Saying, 'Wherefore With Tax-Gatherers And Sinners Do You Eat And Drink?' And Jesus Answered And Said To Them, 'It Is Not Those Who Are Well Who Need A Physician, But Those Who Are Sick. I Have Not Come To Call The Righteous But Sinners To Repentance

(Lk 5:29 NASB) "And Levi gave a big reception for Him in his house; and there was a great crowd of tax collectors and other people who were reclining at the table with them. (Lk 5:30 YLT) and the scribes and the Pharisees among them were murmuring at His disciples, saying, 'Wherefore with tax-gatherers and sinners do [you] eat and drink?' (Lk 5:31 NASB) And Jesus answered and said to them, 'It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick. (Lk 5:32 NASB) I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.' " =

1) (Lk 5:30) [Manuscript Evidence For Lk 5:30]:

(Lk 5:30 YLT) and the scribes and the Pharisees among them were murmuring at His disciples, saying, 'Wherefore with tax-gatherers and sinners do [you] eat and drink?'

AH, NU, B, C, L, W, Xi, 33 read "the pharisees and their scribes."

TR, A, Theta, Psi, f(13), Maj reorders the words to "their scribes and the Pharisees." The transposition was probably created to avoiod the notion of Pharisees having scribes.

2) (Lk 5:29-32) [Commentary on Lk 5:29-32]:

Author Luke writes of the big reception which Matthew gave for Jesus in his house indicating that Matthew was wealthy. This was a lot to give up to follow Jesus. And there was a great crowd of tax collectors and other people who were reclining at the table with them. And the scribes and the Pharisees who were among them were murmuring at Jesus' disciples, saying 'Wherefore with tax-gatherers and sinners do you eat and drink?'

And Jesus answered and said to them, 'It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick.'

Jesus spoke these words as a declaration to the Pharisees and scribes that He was there in the world for those who were spiritually sick, needing spiritual healing, i.e., forgiveness of sins because they were sinners - unrighteous. He ironically implied that He was not there for those like the scribes and Pharisees who hypocritically considered themselves righteous and not sinners - that they were not spiritually sick.

[Whereupon, Jesus said in Lk 5:32]: 'I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance in the sense of changing the mind from not believing to believing in Him for forgiveness of sins as demontrated in Lk 5:27 above when the four men and the paralyzed man were forgiven of their sins simply because they believed in Jesus, .

3) (Lk 5:29-30) Expositor's Commentary On Lk 5:29-30]:

"The complaint of the Pharisees, and particularly of those among them who were also scribes, is more than a superficial attempt to find fault. To join in table fellow ship with irreligious "sinners" is to cast doubt on one of the essential assumptions of Pharisaic teaching. This sect was dedicated to upholding the purity of Jewish faith and life. Implicit in their teachings was strict adherence to both law and tradition, including necessary rites of purification and separation from all whose moral or ritual purity might be in question. The Galilean people had a reputation (not always deserved) for disdaining such scruples and disregarding the traditions.

The Pharisees' complaint is specifically directed to the act of eating and drinking because in their society table fellowship implied mutual acceptance. No act, apart from participation in the actual sinful deeds of the guests, could have broken the wall of separation more dramatically. Yet the Pharisees are not yet ready to argue with Jesus himself. In the previous incident they did not even express their thoughts openly (v. 21). They direct their question to Jesus' disciples and also (in Luke only) charge the disciples themselves, not just Jesus, with this unacceptable conduct."

C) [(Lk 5:33-35) The Scribes And Pharisees Challenged Jesus' Mission As Credible With, 'The Disciples Of John Often Fast And Offer Prayers, The Disciples Of The Pharisees Also Do The Same, But Yours Eat And Drink.' And Jesus Said To Them, 'You Cannot Make The Attendants Of The Bridegroom Fast While The Bridegroom Is With Them, Can You? But The Days Will Come, And When The Bridegroom Is Taken Away From Them, Then They Will Fast In Those Days.'

(Lk 5:33 NASB) "And they said to Him, 'The disciples of John often fast and offer prayers, the disciples of the Pharisees also do the same, but Yours eat and drink.' (Lk 5:34 NASB) And Jesus said to them, 'You cannot make the attendants of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them, can you? (Lk 5:35 NASB) But the days will come; and when the bridegroom is taken away from them, then they will fast in those days.' " =

1) (Lk 5:33) [Manuscript Evidence For Lk 5:33]:

(Lk 5:33 NASB) "And they said to Him, 'The disciples of John often fast and offer prayers, the disciples of the Pharisees also do the same, but Yours eat and drink.' " =

WH, NU, P4, Sinaiticus(1), B, L, W, Xi, 33 have "the disciples of John fast"

Variant, TR, Sinaiticus(*, 2), A, C, D, Theta, Psi, f(1, 13), Maj have "Why do the disciples of John fast?"

The variant, having the inferior documentary support, is likely the result of scribal conformity to Mk 2:18, a parallel verse.

2) [(Lk 5:33-35) Commentary On Lk 5:33-35]:

In Lk 5:33, the scribes and Pharisees challenged the credibility of Jesus' mission with, 'The disciples of John often fast and offer prayers, the disciples of the Pharisees also do the same. But yours [Jesus'] eat and drink.'

a) [Compare Mt 9:14-17]:

(Mt 9:14 NASB) "Then the disciples of John came to Him, asking, 'Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?'

(Mt 9:15 NASB) And Jesus said to them, 'The attendants of the bridegroom cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.

(Mt 9:16 NASB) But no one puts a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch pulls away from the garment, and a worse tear results.

(Mt 9:17 NASB) Nor do people put new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the wineskins burst, and the wine pours out and the wineskins are ruined; but they put new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved.' "

Note that in Mt 9:14-17 above it is indicated that it is the disciples who questioned Jesus' participation in this feast with tax collectors and sinners. For it was right for John and his disciples to fast, for they were calling people to repentance and to the coming kingdom. But John's disciples asked why Jesus' men were not fasting too. Those who contend that there might be a discrepancy with the account in Luke and the parallel passage in Mark 2:18-22, must note that there does not have to be a contradiction. Either both groups had the same question and asked Jesus independently, or the Pharisees initiated the complaint and influenced the disciples of John.

Then in Lk 5:34, Jesus said in answer to them, 'You cannot make the attendants of the Bridegroom fast while the Bridegroom is with them, can you? - in the sense that Jesus is the bridgroom Who came to fulfill all righteousness on a mission that is not compatible with the actions of the scribes and Pharisees who have twisted the Law and the Prophets to their own ends contrary to the mission and teaching of Jesus (Compare Lk 11:37-54 ). Jesus' point explains that a bridegroom's guests do not fast while He is with them because it is a joyous occasion - implying circumstances as in a wedding. So while He is with His disciples they will celebrate His presence as He fulfills His mission. They will fast later after He is gone - alluding to His departure - His death on the cross for the sins of all mankind; at which time they will fast and mourn.

D) (Lk 5:36-39) [In Order To Further Emphasize That His Mission And Teachings Are Incompatible With That Of The Scribes And Pharisees, Jesus Told A Number Of Parables To All Of Those Attending Matthew's Banquet. First He Said, "No One Tears A Piece Of Cloth From A New Garment And Puts It On An Old Garment; Otherwise He Will Both Tear The New, And The Piece From The New Will Not Match The Old. Secondly, Jesus Said, "And No One Puts New Wine Into Old Wineskins; Otherwise The New Wine Will Burst The Skins And It Will Be Spilled Out, And The Skins Will Be Ruined. But New Wine Must Be Put Into Fresh Wineskins. And Thirdly He Said, "And No One, After Drinking Old Wine Wishes For New; For He Says, 'The Old Is Good Enough.' " These Three Parables Imply That The Ways And Teachings Of The Scribes And Pharisees Are Not Compatible With The Ways And Teachings Of Jesus Christ]

(Lk 5:36 NASB) And He was also telling them a parable: 'No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment and puts it on an old garment; otherwise he will both tear the new, and the piece from the new will not match the old. (Lk 5:37 NASB) 'And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled out, and the skins will be ruined. (Lk 5:38 NASB) But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. (Lk 5:39 NASB) And no one, after drinking old wine wishes for new; for he says, 'The old is good enough.' " =

1) (Lk 5:38) [Manuscript Evidence For Lk 5:38]:

(Lk 5:38 NASB) "But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins." =

WH, NU, P4, p75(vid), Sinaiticus, B, L, W, f(1), 33, cop have "new wine must be put into new wineskins"

Variant, TR, A, C, (D), Theta, Psi, f(13), Maj have "but new wine must be put into new wineskins, and both are preserved"

The documentary evidence in favor of the shorter reading is extremely strong. The expansion in the variant reading is clearly taken from Mt 9:17, a parallel passage. Again, TR incorporates this expansion, which is reflected in KJV and NKJV.

2) (Lk 5:39) [Manuscript Evidence For Lk 5:39]:

(Lk 5:39 NASB) "And no one, after drinking old wine wishes for new; for he says, 'The old is good enough.' " =

All three editions (TR, WH, NU) retain this verse, as do all English versions which render it something like: "And no one drinking the old desires the new, for he says, 'the old is better,' " The documentary evidence supporting the inclusion of this is impressive: P4, P75(vid), Sinaiticus, A, B, C, W, Maj. However, the verse is excluded in the following witnesses: D, it, Marcion, Eusebius, Irenaeus, Marcion may have deleted it because he thought it validated the authority of the OT. It is also possible that it was deleted to conform the pericope to the parallel passages in Matthew and Mark, which have no such verse. Or it is possible that it was deleted by scribes who took offense at Jesus speaking about wine-drinking with such candor and knowledgeable detail. Westcott and Hort bracked this verse, perhaps thinking it might be a "Western-interpolation" (though they left no note on this). The documentaion favoring the text is so impressive that all doubt should be removed, as well as the brackets.

3) [(Lk 5:36-39) Commentary on Lk 5:36-39]:

(Lk 5:36 NASB) "And He was also telling them a parable: 'No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment and puts it on an old garment; otherwise he will both tear the new, and the piece from the new will not match the old. (Lk 5:37 NASB) 'And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled out, and the skins will be ruined. (Lk 5:38 NASB) But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. (Lk 5:39 NASB) And no one, after drinking old wine wishes for new; for he says, 'The old is good enough.' " =

And Jesus was also telling three short one line parables to all of those at Matthew's banquet in order to further emphasize the incompatibility of Jesus' mission and teachings which fulfilled the Law and the Prophets with the actions and teachings of the scribes and Pharisees which violated the Law and Prophets, serving their own ends.

In Lk 5:36, Luke wrote Jesus' first parable, "No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment and puts it on an old garment; otherwise he will both tear the new, and the piece from the new will not match the old." The new piece of cloth having been torn from its original garment will make that garment incomplete and ineffective because a piece or part taken from the whole is by definition apart from the whole new garment. So the tearing out of that piece causes the garment it is torn from and the piece itself defective and ineffective. For no longer is the garment or the piece of that garment whole and complete and able to perform its function properly. So the parable is implying that a piece of the new garment of Jesus' actions and teachings will inevitably cause a conflict when joined to the old garment of the Jewish leaders' actions and teachings. This is so because Jesus' actions and teachings as a complete whole without any pieces removed from it perfectly fulfill the Law and the Prophets as stipulated in God's Word, (ref Mt 5:17 ). Furthermore, the old garment which comprise the actions and teachings of the Jewish rulers, the scribes and Pharisees has had the Law and the Prophets distorted to their suit themselves, their own ends, (ref. Lk 11:37-54 ).

There would be inevitable and mutual destruction if a piece of the new garment of Jesus were to be cut out and joined to what the scribes and Pharisess have done to the Law and the Prophets. Taking a piece of Who Jesus is - His mission and teachings would distort and destroy the mission and teachings of Jesus Himself, as many religious organizations have done throughout the ages.

a) [(Lk 5:36) Expositor's Commentary]:

"The context provides opportunity for Jesus to state a basic principle in a series of parabolic figures. His mission involved a radical break with common religious practices. Jesus neither affirms nor denies the value of fasting, and he does not mention prayer here at all. He teaches rather that he has not come merely to add devotional routines to those already practiced, for what he brings is not a patch but a whole new garment. Merely to "patch things up"—i.e., to have a dinner celebration in place of fasting—would fail for two reasons. First, it would ruin the rest of the new garment from which it is taken. Second, just one new patch will not help preserve the old garment but will in fact be conspicuously incongruous."

3 cont) [(Lk 5:36-39) Commentary on Lk 5:36-39 (cont.)]:

In Lk 5:37-38, Jesus comments further with a second one line parable reinforcing the previous points made in the previous verse, as follows: 'And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled out, and the skins will be ruined. But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins.' The picture is of the new wine of Jesus' mission and teachings which were designed by God to perfectly fulfill the Law and the Prophets being poured into the old defective wine skins that the Pharisees and scribes fabricated into their flawed version of the Law and the Prophets. The result would be that Jesus' new wine would ferment producing the perfect fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets contained within the old defective wine skins of the flawed version of the Law and the Prophets. Hence the old skins would burst open, spilling out the wine of Jesus' mission and teaching onto the ground destroying everything. For the flawed skin has no elasticity. It is totally rigid, legalistic and unforgiving - impossible for man to maintain. The Jewish rulers' flawed interpretation of the Law and the Prophets restricted the grace of God and limited the Law and Prophets to Jews alone. On the other hand, God's Word which contains the Law and the Prophets has been given to all mankind. Salvation unto eternal life is available to all mankind by grace through faith alone, not by works of the Law or any works. So Jesus implies that His teachings and mission are wholly incompatible with and superior to those of the Jewish rulers who have a flawed interpretation of the Law and the Prophets. Therefore the new wine of Jesus' teachings must be put in fresh wineskins, i.e., they must be taught properly within the context of a fresh, i.e., a proper, interpretation of the Law and the Prophets, and not within the old, flawed interpretation generated by the scribes and Pharisees of Jesus' time.

And finally, the third parable in Lk 5:39, 'And no one, after drinking old Wine wishes for new; for he says 'The old is good enough' " (ref Lk 11:39-54 ). Despite the absolute superiority of the new wine over the old wine - Jesus' fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets vs. the Jewish rulers' flawed Judaism - those who have partaken of the old wine, especially the Jewish rulers whose actions and teachings do not accurately represent the Law and the Prophets and whose teaching did not provide salvation or temporal faithfulness to God for anyone; will deliberately prefer the old wine, holding fast to their temporal power and authority.

The new garment and the new wine represent the true message of salvation by grace through a moment of faith alone in Jesus Christ alone - His substitutionary atonement for all mankind; and not by works of the Law or any works unto residence in the eternal Kingdom of God for all mankind, Jew and Gentile alike. And the old garment and the old wine represent the faulty version of the Law and the Prophets: the distorted version of the Judaism of the scribes and Pharisees which requires obedience to the many statutes that the Law contains in order to receive salvation plus obedience to all those statutes that they have invented - a salvation which excludes non-Jews. If Jesus permitted the message of the true version of the Law and the Prophets to be poured into the contaminated old wine skins of the Jewish rulers, its value would have been destroyed and grace salvation would as well. The message of the Gospel, the Grace of God, the Church, and the Eternal Kingdom of God would be ineffectual - as it has been within many religious organizations throughout the centuries. If this contamination - the mixing of grace and works were permitted by God, His message of the grace salvation of God of all mankind - both Jew and Gentile - through what He inspired to be written beginning with the Law and the Prophets being fulfilled by the works and teachings of Jesus Christ would have gone for naught.

CONTINUE TO LUKE CHAPTER 6