Devine Scripture

Luke 5:1

What does Luke 5:1 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 5:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 5:1 means

Jesus is teaching a large crowd by the Lake of Gennesaret; the people press close to hear ‘the word of God.’ The verse highlights both the eager attention of the crowd and Jesus’ choice of a public, everyday setting for proclamation. It shows that his message attracts ordinary people and creates physical pressure—an image that underscores the urgency and appeal of his teaching. The phrase ‘the word of God’ frames what Jesus speaks as authoritative and divine in origin, inviting listeners to receive instruction from God’s representative on earth.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Now it came to pass, while the multitude pressed upon him and heard the word of God, that he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Now it came to pass, while the multitude pressed upon him and heard the word of God, that he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Now it came about that while the people came pushing to be near him, and to have knowledge of the word of God, he was by a wide stretch of water named Gennesaret;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And it came to pass, in the multitude pressing on him to hear the word of God, that he was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And it came to pass, that when the multitudes pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Genesareth,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And it came to pass, as the crowd pressed on him to hear the word ofGod, that he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret:

Context

This opening sets the scene for a series of public acts that demonstrate Jesus’ authority: teaching by the lake, calling disciples, and healing. What follows are concrete episodes—miraculous catch, calling of Peter, healings—that illustrate how Jesus’ word brings power into ordinary life. Readers should notice that the crowd’s pressing in creates the immediate context for Jesus to use the boats as platforms and to meet fishermen, lepers, and others who will reveal his authority.

v.1This passage

v.2and he saw two boats standing by the lake: but the fishermen had gone out of them, and were washing their nets.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 12:1

    In the mean time, when the many thousands of the multitude were gathered together, insomuch that they trod one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

  • Mark 3:9

    And he spake to his disciples, that a little boat should wait on him because of the crowd, lest they should throng him:

  • Numbers 34:11

    and the border shall go down from Shepham to Riblah, on the east side of Ain; and the border shall go down, and shall reach unto the side of the sea of Chinnereth eastward;

  • Mark 6:53

    And when they had crossed over, they came to the land unto Gennesaret, and moored to the shore.

  • Mark 5:24

    And he went with him; and a great multitude followed him, and they thronged him.

  • Matthew 4:18

    And walking by the sea of Galilee, he saw two brethren, Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishers.

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