2. Jesus’ authority to forgive sins 5:17-26 (cf. Matthew 9:1-8; Mark 2:1-12)Luke documented Jesus’ authority in yet another area of life by showing His power to forgive sins. In this incident the miracle is secondary and the issue of Jesus’ authority is primary. Jesus claimed to be God by forgiving the man’s sins. read more
The zeal with which the four friends of the paralytic sought to bring him into Jesus’ presence demonstrated their faith, namely, their belief that Jesus could heal him. However the sick man also appears to have had faith in Jesus or he would not have permitted his friends to do what they did. Perhaps Luke did not mention the paralytic’s faith explicitly because to do so might have detracted from his emphasis on Jesus’ power. God responds to the faith of others when they bring friends in need to... read more
The religious leaders were correct. Only God can forgive sins. However, they were unwilling to draw the conclusion that Jesus was God."Whenever Luke reports what someone is thinking, instruction from Jesus usually follows." [Note: Idem, Luke, p. 158.] "Luke, incidentally, is rather fond of questions which begin with ’Who?’ and refer to Jesus (Luke 7:49; Luke 8:25; Luke 9:9; Luke 9:18; Luke 9:20; Luke 19:3)." [Note: Morris, p. 117.] read more
Miraculous Draught of Fishes. The Palsied Man1-11. First miraculous draught of fishes (peculiar to Lk). Many critics identify this incident with that recorded in Matthew 4:18 and Mark 1:16. But there are important considerations on the other side: (1) the persons are different (there four disciples, here Peter is addressed); (2) the words used, though similar in sense, are very different in form; (3) the disciples are not said to have ’left all’ in Mt, but only to have left their father in the... read more
(17-26) It came to pass . . .—See Notes on Matthew 9:1-8.Pharisees and doctors of the law.—The description of the crowd of listeners is peculiar to St. Luke. The fact that many of the doctors of the law had come from Jerusalem is obviously important in its connection with St. John’s account (John 2:5) of our Lord’s previous work in that city, and as explaining the part now taken by them.Was present to heal them.—If we retain the plural pronoun, it must be taken generally as meaning those who... read more
Hearing the Word Luke 5:1 There was a period in our Saviour's Galilean ministry when He was the object of popular interest and enthusiasm. It cannot be said that He enjoyed popularity, for He was persecuted by popularity. This eagerness of the people to hear Christ, the Great Teacher, is full of instruction, and both of encouragement and caution to all in every age who preach and who hear the Word of Grace. I. Motives which Induced Men to Hear the Word of God: 1. Some desired to hear Christ... read more
CHAPTER 5 1. The Miraculous Drought of Fishes. (Luke 5:1-11 ) 2. The Leper Healed. (Luke 5:12-16 ) 3. The Paralytic Healed. (Luke 5:17-26 ) 4. The Call of Matthew and the Feast (Luke 5:27-29 ) 5. The Scribes and Pharisees Answered (Luke 5:30-35 ) 6. The Parable of the Garment and the Bottle. (Luke 5:36-39 .) Luke 5:1-11 Two miraculous draughts of fishes are found in the Gospels. The one here at the beginning of His ministry; the other after His resurrection. (John 21:1-25 ). Both... read more
PETER, JAMES AND JOHN CALLED AS DISCIPLES (vs.1-11) It is good to read in verse 1 that by the Lake of Gennesaret (or Sea of Galilee) the people pressed upon the Lord Jesus, not to see miracles, but to hear the Word of God. Two fishing boats were nearby, the fishermen taking time to wash their nets. We elsewhere read of Simon and Andrew "casting a net into the sea" (Mark 1:16), typically the labor of evangelists in fishing for men; then of James and John "mending their nets" (Mark 1:19),... read more
TEACHING FORGIVENESS OF SIN (Luke 5:17-26 ) Comparing this with Mark 2:1 , we find it took place in Capernaum, and possibly in the house in which our Lord dwelt (Matthew 9:1 ). What proof it contains of the deity of Christ. JESUS’ EARTHLY MISSION (Luke 5:27-32 ) Levi, as we saw in Mark 2:0 , is Matthew whose faith in following Jesus is more remarkable than that of Peter, for he had more to relinquish. He soon showed his faith further by his works (Luke 5:29 ). But though he made “a great... read more
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Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Luke 5:20
Luke 5:20. And when he saw their faith,— That of the man, and of his friends,—though they themselves spake nothing; the miserable condition of the paralytic yet pleading with a voice far more eloquent than all language. St. Chrysostom, speaking of this act of the bearers, says, "So ingenious a thing is affection, and so fruitful in invention is love!" And upon the paralytic's patience in bearing all these difficulties,and not waiting for some other opportunity, he observes, he said nothing of... read more