Luke 5:11
What does Luke 5:11 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 5:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 5:11 means
They bring their boats to land, leave everything, and follow Jesus. This succinct statement emphasizes the totality and immediacy of their commitment: they do not merely accompany Jesus; they abandon their livelihood and possessions. Luke records this literal leaving as the decisive act of discipleship—faith demonstrated by surrender. The verse communicates that true following costs something significant and that Jesus’ call compels radical responses. It also models faith: when confronted by Jesus’ authority, these men act swiftly, trusting that the new mission justifies their sacrifice.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And when they had brought their boats to land, they left all, and followed him.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And when they had brought their boats to land, they left all, and followed him.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And when they had got their boats to the land, they gave up everything and went after him.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and they, having brought the boats upon the land, having left all, did follow him.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And having brought their ships to land, leaving all things, they followed him.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And having run the ships on shore, leaving all they followed him.
Context
This verse completes the sequence: miracle, confession, promise, and response. It shows how an encounter with Jesus produces transformative action. Immediately after this vocational turning point, the narrative shifts to Jesus’ healing ministry—cleansing a leper—so readers see that the call to follow is embedded in a ministry of compassion and power. The disciples’ leaving sets a pattern for those who will follow Jesus in the chapter and in the gospel.
v.10and so were also James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.
v.11This passage
v.12And it came to pass, while he was in one of the cities, behold, a man full of leprosy: and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Philippians 3:7
Howbeit what things were gain to me, these have I counted loss for Christ.
- Matthew 4:20
And they straightway left the nets, and followed him.
- Matthew 19:27
Then answered Peter and said unto him, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee; what then shall we have?
- Luke 5:28
And he forsook all, and rose up and followed him.
- Mark 10:29
Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or mother, or father, or children, or lands, for my sake, and for the gospel’s sake,
- Mark 1:18
And straightway they left the nets, and followed him.
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