The fishermen called
Luke 5:1–11FocusObedience and a new calling
Connection to the wholeThe catch of fish leads Peter to recognize his unworthiness and ends with the fishermen leaving all to follow Jesus.
interpretation Luke 5:32
KJVI came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Read it in context
Levi and the fasting question
Start reading at Luke 5:27 (Luke 5:27 to Luke 5:39).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
Levi's response and the ensuing meal lead to Jesus' explanation of His mission and the difference His presence makes.
- 5:27 And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me.
- 5:28 And he left all, rose up, and followed him.
- 5:29 And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them.
- 5:30 But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?
- 5:31 And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.
- 5:32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
- 5:33 And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink?
- 5:34 And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?
- 5:35 But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.
- 5:36 And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old.
- 5:37 And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish.
- 5:38 But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved.
- 5:39 No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Luke, the physician and companion of Paul, is the author identified by early church tradition for both Luke and Acts. Biblical references: Colossians 4:14; Philemon 1:24. Historical source: Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3.1.1; Anchor Bible Dictionary, Luke–Acts. traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Luke 5:1–5:39): Jesus calls Simon, James, and John; He encounters a leper, a paralytic with his helpers, Pharisees and teachers, and Levi with his table guests. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Theophilus is the named recipient, already instructed in the matters Luke recounts. Wider readers also benefit, but identifying Theophilus as a particular official or assigning him a precise biography goes beyond the available evidence. Biblical references: Luke 1:3; Luke 1:4. Historical source: Anchor Bible Dictionary, Luke–Acts. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Levi and the fasting question. Read Luke 5:27 through Luke 5:39 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? Levi's response and the ensuing meal lead to Jesus' explanation of His mission and the difference His presence makes. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The account connects events with named rulers and begins before Jesus' birth, continuing through His resurrection and ascension. Those narrative dates do not themselves date composition. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The narrative ranges through Judea and Galilee and gives sustained attention to the journey toward Jerusalem. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Levi and the fasting question (Luke 5:27 to Luke 5:39). Start reading at Luke 5:27. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Luke presents Jesus as the Saviour and records His explanation that the Scriptures concern His suffering and glory. Keep this broad claim alongside the particular passages He and the narrator actually connect. See Luke 2:11, Luke 19:10, Luke 24:26, Luke 24:27. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Attend to repentance, mercy, prayer, and faithful response. Identify who is being addressed in a parable or rebuke before applying it to someone else. interpretation
Cited: Luke 5:27, Luke 5:39, Luke 2:11, Luke 19:10, Luke 24:26, Luke 24:27
Who wrote it, and how we know
Luke, the physician and companion of Paul
From early tradition
What Scripture saysThe author writes in the first person to Theophilus and describes carefully investigating eyewitness accounts, but does not give his name.
Luke 1:1Luke 1:3
Early traditionEarly testimony, including Irenaeus and the Muratorian fragment, names Luke, the physician and companion of Paul.
What is debatedThe name is not in the text.
Other accounts of this event
The call of Matthew / Levi and the meal
Identification qualified below
Matthew names Matthew; Mark and Luke name Levi. The matching call and meal are conventionally read as parallel accounts; the identification of the names is a comparison of the accounts.
Related passages
- I came not to call the righteous, but sin… Luke 4:18-19 Luke 15:7,10 Luke 18:10-14 Luke 19:10 Luke 24:47 Isa 55:6-7 Isa 57:15 Matt 18:11
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Luke 5
The opening addresses Theophilus and explains the purpose of giving an orderly account so he may know the certainty of what he has been taught. Read the narrative as it moves from preparation for Jesus' birth to His resurrection and the promised witness.
Luke 1:1 Luke 1:3 Luke 1:4 Luke 24:47
Cleansing and forgiveness
Luke 5:12–26FocusAuthority over disease and sin
Connection to the wholeThe leper and paralytic accounts join restoration with growing questions about Jesus' authority to forgive sins.
interpretation FocusCalling sinners and the bridegroom
Connection to the wholeLevi's response and the ensuing meal lead to Jesus' explanation of His mission and the difference His presence makes.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Luke
The opening addresses Theophilus and explains the purpose of giving an orderly account so he may know the certainty of what he has been taught. Read the narrative as it moves from preparation for Jesus' birth to His resurrection and the promised witness.
Luke 1:1 Luke 1:3 Luke 1:4 Luke 24:47
The births and early years
Luke 1:1–2:52FocusPromise, praise, and preparation
Connection to the wholeThe birth announcements and childhood accounts locate Jesus' coming within God's promises and the expectations expressed by faithful witnesses.
interpretation The ministry prepared
Luke 3:1–4:13FocusJohn, baptism, and temptation
Connection to the wholeJohn's call to repentance, Jesus' baptism, the genealogy, and the temptation prepare the public ministry.
interpretation FocusAuthority, mercy, and recognition
Connection to the wholeTeaching and mighty works reveal Jesus' identity while He forms disciples and begins to explain His coming suffering.
interpretation The journey toward Jerusalem
Luke 9:51–19:27FocusFollowing Jesus on the way
Connection to the wholeThe extended journey gathers teaching about repentance, prayer, possessions, mercy, and readiness as Jesus approaches His death.
interpretation Jerusalem and the temple
Luke 19:28–21:38FocusVisitation, conflict, and watchfulness
Connection to the wholeThe entry and temple ministry bring confrontation and teaching about Jerusalem's distress and the need to watch.
interpretation Passion, resurrection, and commission
Luke 22:1–24:53FocusScripture fulfilled and witness prepared
Connection to the wholeJesus' death and resurrection are interpreted through Scripture, leading to the proclamation of repentance and remission of sins and the promise of power.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.