Devine Scripture

Luke 5:3

What does Luke 5:3 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 5:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 5:3 means

Jesus gets into Simon’s boat and asks him to push a little from shore so he can teach the crowd from the water. This shows Jesus’ sensitivity to both the people’s needs and the practicalities of addressing a pressing crowd: a boat offers elevation and a natural amphitheater. It also introduces Simon (Peter) in a humble, domestic role as owner of the boat. The verse portrays Jesus as a teacher who uses ordinary means to reach people, and it sets up a personal encounter between Jesus and Simon that will lead to deeper revelation.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he entered into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the multitudes out of the boat.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he entered into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the multitudes out of the boat.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he got into one of the boats, the property of Simon, and made a request to him to go a little way out from the land. And being seated he gave the people teaching from the boat.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and having entered into one of the boats, that was Simon's, he asked him to put back a little from the land, and having sat down, was teaching the multitudes out of the boat.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And going into one of the ships that was Simon's, he desired him to draw back a little from the land. And sitting, he taught the multitudes out of the ship.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And getting into one of the ships, which was Simon's, he asked him to draw out a little from the land; and he sat down and taught the crowds out of the ship.

Context

This verse bridges the crowd’s pressing attention and the coming personal interaction with Simon. Jesus teaching from the boat enables him to reach both the crowd and the fishermen. Immediately after teaching, Jesus will command Simon to launch into deep water for a catch—so this verse prepares readers for a shift from proclamation to miraculous demonstration, and for the intimate encounter that will convict Simon of his sin and call him to discipleship.

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

v.3This passage

v.4And when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Put out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.

Cross references

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

  • John 1:41

    He findeth first his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messiah (which is, being interpreted, Christ).

  • Matthew 13:1

    On that day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side.

  • 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.

  • Mark 4:1

    And again he began to teach by the sea side. And there is gathered unto him a very great multitude, so that he entered into a boat, and sat in the sea; and all the multitude were by the sea on the land.

  • John 8:2

    And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Luke 5

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Luke 5.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Luke 5:3.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary