Luke 5:1

CHAPTER V.

The miraculous draught of fishes at the lake of Gennesaret,

1-11.

Christ heals a leper, 12-14.

His fame being published abroad, he withdraws to the desert,

15, 16.

He heals a paralytic person, at which the scribes and Pharisees

murmur, but the people glorify God, 17-26.

He calls the publican Levi, who makes a feast for Christ, to

which he invites a great number of publicans and others, at

which the scribes and Pharisees murmur, and our Lord vindicates

his conduct, 27-32.

The question about fasting answered, 33-35.

The parable of the new piece of cloth put on the old garment,

and the new wine in old bottles, 36-39.

NOTES ON CHAP. V.

Verse Luke 5:1. The people pressed upon him] There was a glorious prospect of a plentiful harvest, but how few of these blades came to full corn in the ear! To hear with diligence and affection is well; but a preacher of the Gospel may expect that, out of crowds of hearers, only a few, comparatively, will fully receive the truth, and hold out to the end.

To hear the word of God] Του λογον του Θεου, The doctrine of God, or, the heavenly doctrine.

The lake of Gennesaret] Called also the sea of Galilee, Matthew 4:18, and Mark 1:16; and the sea of Tiberias, John 6:1. It was, according to Josephus, forty furlongs in breadth, and one hundred and forty in length. No synagogue could have contained the multitudes who attended our Lord's ministry; and therefore he was obliged to preach in the open air. But this also some of the most eminent rabbins were in the habit of doing; though among some of their brethren it was not deemed reputable.