Luke 5:11
And when they had brought their boats ashore, they left everything and followed Him.
And when they had brought their boats ashore
This phrase marks a pivotal moment of transition. The act of bringing the boats ashore signifies the end of a laborious night of fishing, which had been fruitless until Jesus intervened. The Greek word for "brought" (καταγαγόντες, katagagontes) implies a deliberate action, suggesting that the disciples were making a conscious decision to conclude their current endeavor. Historically, fishing was a primary occupation in Galilee, and the boats were essential tools of the trade. Bringing them ashore symbolizes a readiness to leave behind their old life and embrace a new calling.

they left everything
The phrase "left everything" is profound in its simplicity. The Greek word for "left" (ἀφέντες, aphentes) conveys a sense of abandonment or release. This act of leaving everything behind is a radical demonstration of faith and commitment. In the historical context, fishermen like Peter, James, and John depended on their boats and nets for their livelihood. By leaving everything, they were not just abandoning their possessions but also their security and identity. This act echoes the call to discipleship, where Jesus asks for total surrender and trust in His provision.

and followed Him
The phrase "followed Him" encapsulates the essence of discipleship. The Greek word for "followed" (ἠκολούθησαν, ēkolouthēsan) implies a continuous action, indicating that this was not a one-time decision but an ongoing commitment. To follow Jesus meant to walk in His footsteps, to learn from Him, and to participate in His mission. In the scriptural context, following a rabbi was a common practice, but following Jesus required a deeper level of devotion and sacrifice. This phrase challenges believers to consider what it truly means to follow Christ, emphasizing obedience, trust, and the willingness to forsake all for the sake of the Gospel.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus Christ
The central figure in this passage, Jesus is calling His first disciples to follow Him. His authority and divine nature are evident as He commands the fishermen to leave their previous lives.

2. Simon Peter, James, and John
These fishermen are the primary individuals who respond to Jesus' call. They demonstrate faith and obedience by leaving their livelihoods to follow Jesus.

3. The Sea of Galilee
The location where this event takes place. It is significant as a setting for many of Jesus' teachings and miracles.

4. The Miraculous Catch of Fish
Preceding this verse, Jesus performs a miracle that results in a large catch of fish, symbolizing the abundance and provision that comes from following Him.

5. The Act of Leaving Everything
This event marks a pivotal moment of commitment and sacrifice, as the disciples abandon their former lives to pursue a new purpose with Jesus.
Teaching Points
Total Commitment to Christ
The disciples' decision to leave everything behind exemplifies the level of commitment required to follow Jesus. Believers are called to prioritize their relationship with Christ above all else.

Trust in Divine Provision
The miraculous catch of fish demonstrates that when we follow Jesus, He provides for our needs. Trusting in God's provision allows us to step out in faith.

Obedience to God's Call
The immediate response of the disciples highlights the importance of obedience. When God calls us, we should respond without hesitation, trusting in His plan.

Transformation of Purpose
By leaving their nets, the disciples embraced a new identity and mission. Following Jesus transforms our purpose, aligning it with His kingdom work.

Faith Over Fear
The disciples' willingness to leave their security and follow Jesus challenges us to overcome fear with faith, trusting in God's greater plan for our lives.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does the act of leaving everything to follow Jesus teach us about the nature of discipleship?

2. How can we apply the principle of trusting in God's provision in our daily lives, especially when faced with uncertainty?

3. In what ways does the account of the miraculous catch of fish encourage us to respond to God's call with obedience and faith?

4. How does the transformation of the disciples' purpose from fishermen to "fishers of men" inspire us to seek God's purpose for our lives?

5. Reflect on a time when you had to choose faith over fear. How did that decision impact your spiritual journey, and what can you learn from it in light of Luke 5:11?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Matthew 4:18-22
This passage parallels the calling of the first disciples, emphasizing the immediacy and totality of their response to Jesus.

Mark 1:16-20
Similar to Luke, Mark describes the calling of the disciples, highlighting their willingness to leave their nets and follow Jesus.

John 21:1-14
After Jesus' resurrection, He appears to the disciples by the Sea of Galilee, reminding them of their initial calling and reinforcing their mission.

Philippians 3:7-8
Paul speaks of counting all things as loss for the sake of Christ, echoing the disciples' decision to leave everything behind.
Forsaking All A. L. Stone, D. D.Luke 5:11
Imitation of the ApostlesA. Garry, M. A.Luke 5:11
Leaving All to Follow ChristLuke 5:11
Love to Christ SupremeDr. Judson.Luke 5:11
Rejecting a Kingdom for ChristLuke 5:11
Fishers of MenR.M. Edgar Luke 5:1-11
A Broken NetS. Baring-Gould, M. A.Luke 5:6-11
A New Year', Word for Business PeopleMark Guy Pearse.Luke 5:6-11
A Night of Toil: the Philosophy of FailureW. Scott.Luke 5:6-11
An Image of the Preaching of the GospelVan Oosterzee.Luke 5:6-11
Blessing in Our Temporal CallingLisco.Luke 5:6-11
Christ the Lord of NatureW. J. Deane, M. A.Luke 5:6-11
Christ with the Galilean FishermenJames Foote, M. A.Luke 5:6-11
Failure and SuccessR. A. Griffin.Luke 5:6-11
Failure, Faith, and FortuneM. Braithwaite.Luke 5:6-11
Faith Triumphant in FailureDean Vaughan.Luke 5:6-11
Gospel for the Fifth Sunday After TrinityG. Calthrop, M. A.Luke 5:6-11
Peter an Example for UsFuchs.Luke 5:6-11
Place of the Miracle in the HistoryA. B. Bruce, D. D.Luke 5:6-11
Reasons for the MiracleW. J. Deane, M. A.Luke 5:6-11
The Blessed FishermenHeubner.Luke 5:6-11
The Desponding EncouragedJ. Woodhouse., J. Keble.Luke 5:6-11
The Disappointing Night and the Successful MornR. M. Spoor.Luke 5:6-11
The Faith of PeterVan Oosterzee.Luke 5:6-11
The Galilean FishersNewman Hall, LL. B.Luke 5:6-11
The Just Means of Gaining Temporal BlessingHeubner.Luke 5:6-11
The Miraculous Draught of FishesD. Longwill.Luke 5:6-11
The Nature of the MiracleA. B. Bruce, D. D., Dean Plumptre in "Poet's Bible.Luke 5:6-11
The Obedience of FaithVan Oosterzee.Luke 5:6-11
The Remarkable Transitions in the Life of FaithVan Oosterzee.Luke 5:6-11
The Sinking Fishing-Boat a Symbol of the Ruinous Tendency of Abounding ProsperityT. R. Stevenson.Luke 5:6-11
The Three F's -- a Parable of FishingT. L. Cuyler, D. D.Luke 5:6-11
The Two Draughts of FishesC. H. Spurgeon.Luke 5:6-11
This ParagraphJ. Parker, D. D.Luke 5:6-11
Use of PartnersBishop Hall.Luke 5:6-11
Weariness and FaithDean Vaughan.Luke 5:6-11
People
James, Jesus, John, Levi, Peter, Simon, Zabdi, Zebedee
Places
Galilee, Genneseret, Jerusalem, Judea
Topics
Boats, Bringing, Follow, Followed, Forsook, Got, Leaving, Run, Ships, Shore
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Luke 5:11

     8115   discipleship, nature of
     8120   following Christ
     8475   self-denial

Luke 5:1-11

     7758   preachers, call

Luke 5:2-11

     6620   calling

Luke 5:10-11

     5877   hesitation

Luke 5:11-13

     2066   Christ, power of

Library
March 25 Evening
Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing; nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.--LUKE 5:5. All power is give unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: . . . and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. The kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea. Though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: necessity is laid
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

March 19. "Launch Out into the Deep" (Luke v. 4).
"Launch out into the deep" (Luke v. 4). Many difficulties and perplexities in connection with our Christian life might be best settled by a simple and bold decision of our will to go forward with the light we have and leave the speculations and theories that we cannot decide for further settlement. What we need is to act, and to act with the best light we have, and as we step out into the present duty and full obedience, many things will be made plain which it is no use waiting to decide. Beloved,
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

December 9. "Launch Out into the Deep" (Luke v. 4).
"Launch out into the deep" (Luke v. 4). One of the special marks of the Holy Ghost in the Apostolic Church was the spirit Of boldness. One of the most essential qualities of the faith that is to attempt great things for God and expect great things from God, is holy audacity. Where we are dealing with a supernatural Being, and taking from Him things that are humanly impossible, it is easier to take much than little; it is easier to stand in a place of audacious trust than in a place of cautious, timid
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

Humility
LUKE v. 8. Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. Few stories in the New Testament are as well known as this. Few go home more deeply to the heart of man. Most simple, most graceful is the story, and yet it has in it depths unfathomable. Great painters have loved to draw, great poets have loved to sing, that scene on the lake of Gennesaret. The clear blue water, land- locked with mountains; the meadows on the shore, gay with their lilies of the field, on which our Lord bade them look,
Charles Kingsley—Discipline and Other Sermons

Instructions for Fishermen
'Now when He had left speaking, He said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.'--LUKE v. 4. The day's work begins early in the East. So the sun, as it rose above the hills on the other side of the lake, shone down upon a busy scene, fresh with the dew and energy of the morning, on the beach by the little village of Bethsaida. One group of fishermen was washing their nets, their boats being hauled up on the strand. A crowd of listeners was thus early gathered round
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

Fear and Faith
'When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.' --LUKE v. 8. 'Now, when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him,... and did cast himself into the sea.'--JOHN xxi. 7. These two instances of the miraculous draught of fishes on the Lake of Gennesareth are obviously intended to be taken in conjunction. Their similarities and their differences are equally striking and equally instructive. In the fragment
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

Blasphemer, or --Who?
'And it came to pass on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judea, and Jerusalem; and the power of the Lord was present to heal them. 18. And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before Him. 19. And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the house-top,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

"The Moody and Sankey Humbug. "
There was a man, while we were in London, who got out a little paper called "The Moody and Sankey Humbug." He used to have it to sell to the people coming into the meeting. After he had sold a great many thousand copies of that number, he wanted to get out another number; so he came to the meeting to get something to put into the paper; but the power of the Lord was present. It says here in this chapter (Luke 5) that the Pharisees, scribes, and doctors, were watching the words of Christ in that house
Dwight L. Moody—Moody's Anecdotes And Illustrations

Absolution.
Preached June 2, 1850. ABSOLUTION. "And the Scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?"--Luke v. 21. There are questions which having been again and again settled, still from time to time, present themselves for re-solution; errors which having been refuted, and cut up by the roots, re-appear in the next century as fresh and vigorous as ever. Like the fabled monsters of old, from whose dissevered neck the blood
Frederick W. Robertson—Sermons Preached at Brighton

Carried by Four
When our Lord left his retirement he found the crowd around him exceeding great, and it was as motley as it was great; for while here were many sincere believers, there were still more sceptical observers; some were anxious to receive his healing power, others equally desirous to find occasion against him. So in all congregations, however the preacher may be clothed with his Master's spirit and his Master's might, there will be a mixed gathering; there will come together your Pharisees and doctors
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871

The Secret of Success.
5th Sunday after Trinity S. Luke v. 5. "We have taken nothing; nevertheless at Thy word, I will let down the net." INTRODUCTION.--S. Peter and the other Apostles had been fishing all night, and had met with no success at all, then Jesus entered into the boat of Simon, and bade him launch out and let down his net. S. Peter did not hesitate. He had met with no success when fishing in the night, nevertheless now, at the word of Christ, he fishes again, and this time the net encloses a great multitude,
S. Baring-Gould—The Village Pulpit, Volume II. Trinity to Advent

Christ the Great Physician.
"They that are whole have no need of a physician; but they that are sick. I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance" (Luke v. 31, 32). "For this people's heart is waxed gross, And their ears are dull of hearing, And their eyes they have closed; Lest haply they should perceive with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And should turn again, And I should heal them" (Matt. xiii. 15). "He hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted" (Luke iv. 18).
Frank G. Allen—Autobiography of Frank G. Allen, Minister of the Gospel

Jesus, Still Lead On.
"Jesu, geh Voran." "They forsook all, and followed him."--Luke 5:11. [7]Ludwig von Zinzendorf transl., Jane Borthwick, 1846, 1854 Jesus, still lead on, Till our rest be won! And although the way be cheerless, We will follow, calm and fearless. Guide us by thy hand To our Fatherland. If the way be drear, If the foe be near, Let not faithless fears o'ertake us, Let not faith and hope forsake us For, through many a foe, To our home we go! When we seek relief From a long-felt grief-- When oppressed
Jane Borthwick—Hymns from the Land of Luther

Travelling in Palestine --Roads, Inns, Hospitality, Custom-House Officers, Taxation, Publicans
It was the very busiest road in Palestine, on which the publican Levi Matthew sat at the receipt of "custom," when our Lord called him to the fellowship of the Gospel, and he then made that great feast to which he invited his fellow-publicans, that they also might see and hear Him in Whom he had found life and peace (Luke 5:29). For, it was the only truly international road of all those which passed through Palestine; indeed, it formed one of the great highways of the world's commerce. At the time
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Penitence, as Explained in the Sophistical Jargon of the Schoolmen, Widely Different from the Purity Required by the Gospel. Of Confession and Satisfaction.
1. Errors of the Schoolmen in delivering the doctrine of repentance. 1. Errors in defining it. Four different definitions considered. 2. Absurd division. 3. Vain and puzzling questions. 4. Mode in which they entangle themselves. 2. The false doctrine of the Schoolmen necessary to be refuted. Of contrition. Their view of it examined. 3. True and genuine contrition. 4. Auricular confession. Whether or not of divine authority. Arguments of Canonists and Schoolmen. Allegorical argument founded on Judaism.
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

Seventh Appearance of Jesus.
(Sea of Galilee.) ^D John XXI. 1-25. ^d 1 After these things Jesus manifested himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and he manifested himself on this wise. 2 There was together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee [see p. 111], and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. 3 Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. [As usual, Peter was the leader.] They say unto him, We also come with thee. They went forth, and entered into the boat;
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Jesus Heals a Leper and Creates Much Excitement.
^A Matt.VIII. 2-4; ^B Mark I. 40-45; ^C Luke V. 12-16. ^c 12 And it came to pass, while he was in one of the cities [it was a city of Galilee, but as it was not named, it is idle to conjecture which city it was], behold, ^b there cometh { ^a came} ^b to him a leper [There is much discussion as to what is here meant by leprosy. Two diseases now go by that name; viz., psoriasis and elephantiasis. There are also three varieties of psoriasis, namely, white, black and red. There are also three varieties
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Disciples of Jesus.
In this terrestrial paradise, which the great revolutions of history had till then scarcely touched, there lived a population in perfect harmony with the country itself, active, honest, joyous, and tender-hearted. The Lake of Tiberias is one of the best supplied with fish of any in the world.[1] Very productive fisheries were established, especially at Bethsaida, and at Capernaum, and had produced a certain degree of wealth. These families of fishermen formed a gentle and peaceable society, extending
Ernest Renan—The Life of Jesus

The Conflict with Evil
The Kingdom of God Will Have to Fight for Its Advance The great objective is the Kingdom of God. In realizing the Reign of God on earth three recalcitrant forces have to be brought into obedience to God's law: the desire for power, the love of property, and unsocial religion. We have studied Christ's thought concerning these in the foregoing chapters. The advance of the Kingdom of God is not simply a process of social education, but a conflict with hostile forces which resist, neutralize, and defy
Walter Rauschenbusch—The Social Principles of Jesus

The Lake of Gennesaret; Or, the Sea of Galilee and Tiberias.
Jordan is measured at one hundred and twenty furlongs, from the lake of Samochonitis to that of Gennesaret. That lake, in the Old Testament, is 'The sea of Chinnereth,' Numbers 34:11, &c. In the Targumists, 'The sea of Genesar'; sometimes, 'of Genesor'; sometimes, 'of Ginosar': it is the same also in the Talmudists, but most frequently 'The sea of Tiberiah.' Both names are used by the evangelists; 'the lake of Gennesaret,' Luke 5:1; 'the sea of Tiberias,' John 21:1; and 'the sea of Galilee,' John
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Peter's Repentance
"And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And Peter went out, and wept bitterly" (Luke 22:61, 62). That was the turning-point in the history of Peter. Christ had said to him: "Thou canst not follow me now" (John 13:36). Peter was not in a fit state to follow Christ, because he had not been brought to an end of himself; he did not know himself, and he therefore could not follow
Andrew Murray—Absolute Surrender

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