THE PEOPLE PRESSED UPON HIS - Multitudes came to hear. There were times in the life of our Saviour when thousands were anxious to hear him, and when many, as we have no reason to doubt, became his true followers. Indeed, it is not possible to tell what “might” have been his success, had not the Phar... [ Continue Reading ]
TWO SHIPS - The ships used on so small a lake were probably no more than fishing-boats without decks, and easily drawn up on the beach. Josephus says there were 230 of them on the lake, attended by four or five men each. That they were small is also clear from the account commonly given of them. A s... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH WAS SIMON’S - Simon Peter’s. PRAYED HIM - Asked him. HE SAT DOWN - This was the common posture of Jewish teachers. They seldom or never spoke to the people “standing.” Compare Matthew 5:1. It may be somewhat difficult to conceive why Jesus should go into a boat and put off from the shore in o... [ Continue Reading ]
LAUNCH, OUT - Go out with your vessels. INTO THE DEEP - Into the sea; at a distance from the shore. FOR A DRAUGHT - A draught of fish; or let down your nets for the “taking” of fish.... [ Continue Reading ]
MASTER - This is the first time that the word here translated “Master” occurs in the New Testament, and it is used only by Luke. The other evangelists call him Rabbi, or Lord. The word here used means a “prefect,” or one placed “over” others, and hence, it comes to mean “teacher” or “guide.” AT THY... [ Continue Reading ]
THEIR NET BRAKE - Or their net “began” to break, or was “about” to break. This is all that is implied in the Greek word. If their nets had actually “broken,” as our English word seems to suppose, the fish would have escaped; but no more is meant than that there was such a multitude of fishes that th... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY BECKONED - They gave signs. Perhaps they were at a considerable distance, so that they could not be easily heard. THEIR PARTNERS - James and John. See Luke 5:10. The following remarks of Dr. Thomson (“_The Land and the Book_,” vol. ii. p. 80, 81) will furnish a good illustration of this passage... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN SIMON PETER SAW IT - Saw the great amount of fishes; the remarkable success of letting down the net. HE FELL DOWN AT JESUS’ KNEES - This was a common posture of “supplication.” He had no doubt now of the power and knowledge of Jesus. In amazement, wonder, and gratitude, and not doubting that h... [ Continue Reading ]
FEAR NOT - He calmed their fears. With mildness and tenderness he stilled all their troubled feelings, and to their surprise announced that henceforward they should be appointed as heralds of salvation. FROM HENCEFORTH - Hereafter. SHALT CATCH MEN - Thou shalt be a minister of the gospel, and thy... [ Continue Reading ]
FORSOOK ALL - It was not “much” that they left - a couple of small boats and their nets; but it was all they had, even all their living. But this showed their love of Jesus, and their willingness to deny themselves, as “really” as if they had forsaken palaces and gold. All that Jesus asks is that we... [ Continue Reading ]
See the notes at Matthew 8:2.... [ Continue Reading ]
See this passage explained in the notes at Matthew 9:1. Luke 5:17 ON A CERTAIN DAY - The time and place are not particularly mentioned here, but from Matthew 9:1 it seems it was at Capernaum. Luke 5:19 THE TILING - See the notes at Matthew 9:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
See the notes at Matthew 9:9. Luke 5:29 MADE HIM A GREAT FEAST - This circumstance “Matthew,” or “Levi” as he is here called, has omitted in his own gospel. This fact shows how little inclined the evangelists are to say anything in favor of themselves or to praise themselves. True religion does not... [ Continue Reading ]
See this passage illustrated in the notes at Matthew 9:14. Luke 5:39 HAVING DRUNK OLD WINE ... - Wine increases its strength and flavor, and its mildness and mellowness, by age, and the old is therefore preferable. They who had tasted such mild and mellow wine would not readily drink the comparativ... [ Continue Reading ]