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Luke 5
Luke 5:1
Connecting Statement:
Jesus preaches from Simon Peter's boat at the lake of Gennesaret.
Now it happened
This phrase is used here to mark the beginning of a new part of the story. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-newevent)
listening to the word of God
Possible meanings are 1) "listening to the message God wanted them to hear" or 2) "listening to Jesus's message about God"
the lake of Gennesaret
These words refer to the Sea of Galilee. Galilee was on the west side of the lake, and the land of Gennesaret was on the east side, so it was called by both names. Some English versions translate this as the proper name of the body of water, "the Lake of Gennesaret."
Luke 5:2
washing their nets
They were cleaning their fishing nets in order to use them again to catch fish.
Luke 5:3
one of the boats, which was Simon's, and
"the boat belonging to Simon and"
asked him to put it out in the water
"asked Simon to move the boat"
he sat down and taught the people
Sitting was the normal position for a teacher.
taught the people out of the boat
"taught the people while he sat in the boat." Jesus was in the boat a short distance from the shore and he was speaking to the people who were on the shore.
Luke 5:4
When he had finished speaking
"When Jesus had finished teaching the people"
Luke 5:5
at your word
"because you have told me to do this"
Luke 5:6
General Information:
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Luke 5:7
motioned
They were too far from shore to call, so they made gestures, probably by waving their arms.
they began to sink
"the boats began to sink." The reason could be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "the boats began to sink because the catch of fish was so heavy" or "the boats began to sink because there were so many fish" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Luke 5:8
fell down at Jesus's knees
Possible meanings are 1) "knelt down before Jesus" or 2) "bowed down at Jesus's feet" or 3) "lay down on the ground at Jesus's feet." Peter did not fall accidentally. He did this as a sign of humility and respect for Jesus. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-symaction)
sinful man
The word here for "man" means "adult male" and not the more general "human being."
Luke 5:9
the catch of fish
"the large number of fish"
Luke 5:10
partners with Simon
"Simon's partners in his fishing business"
you will catch men
The image of catching fish is being used as a metaphor for gathering people to follow Christ. Alternate translation: "you will fish for people" or "you will gather people for me" or "you will bring people to be my disciples" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Luke 5:11
General Information:
This page has intentionally been left blank.
Luke 5:12
Connecting Statement:
Jesus heals a leper in a different city that is not named.
It came about
This phrase marks a new event in the story. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-newevent)
a man full of leprosy
"a man who was covered with leprosy." This introduces a new character in the story. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-participants)
he fell on his face
Here "fell on his face" is an idiom that means to bow down. Alternate translation: "he knelt and touched the ground with his face" or "he bowed down to the ground" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)
if you are willing
"if you want to"
you can make me clean
It is understood that he was asking Jesus to heal him. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "please make me clean, because you are able" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
make me clean
This refers to ceremonial cleanness, but it is understood that he is unclean because of the leprosy. He is really asking Jesus to heal him of his disease. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "heal me from leprosy so I will be clean" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Luke 5:13
Be clean
This refers to ceremonial cleanness, but it is understood that he is unclean because of the leprosy. He is really asking Jesus to heal him of his disease. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "Be healed" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
the leprosy left him
"he no longer had leprosy"
Luke 5:14
He instructed him to tell no one but told him, "Go on your way
Jesus's instruction can be stated as a direct quote. Alternate translation: "He said, 'Do not tell anyone, but go on your way" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-quotations)
to tell no one
The understood information can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "to not tell anyone that he had been healed" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-ellipsis)
sacrifice for your cleansing
The law required a person to make a specific sacrifice after they were healed. This allowed the person to be ceremonially clean, and able to again participate in religious rituals.
for a testimony
"as proof of your healing"
to them
Possible meanings are 1) "to the priests" or 2) "to all the people."
Luke 5:15
the report about him
"the news about Jesus." This could mean either "the report about Jesus's healing the man with leprosy" or "the report about Jesus's healing people."
the report about him spread even farther
"the report about him went out even farther." This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "people kept telling the news about him in other places" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Luke 5:16
the deserted places
"lonely places" or "places where there were no other people"
Luke 5:17
Connecting Statement:
One day when Jesus was teaching in a building, some men brought a paralyzed man for Jesus to heal.
It came about
This phrase marks the beginning of a new part of the story. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-newevent)
Luke 5:18
Now some men came
These are new people in the story. Your language may have a way of showing that these are new people. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-participants)
mat
sleeping pad or bed or stretcher
was paralyzed
"could not move himself"
Luke 5:19
They could not find a way to bring him in because of the crowd, so
In some languages it might be more natural to reorder this. Alternate translation: "But because of the crowd of people, they could not find a way to bring the man inside. So"
because of the crowd
It is clear that the reason they could not enter was that the crowd was so large that there was no room for them. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
they went up to the housetop
Houses had flat roofs, and some houses had a ladder or staircase outside to make it easy to go up there. This can be stated. Alternate translation: "they went up to the flat roof of the house" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
right in front of Jesus
"directly in front of Jesus" or "immediately in front of Jesus"
Luke 5:20
Seeing their faith, Jesus said
It is understood that they believe Jesus can heal the paralyzed man. This can be stated. Alternate translation: "When Jesus perceived that they believed that he could heal the man, he said to him" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Man
This is a general word that people used when speaking to a man whose name they did not know. It was not rude, but it also did not show special respect. Some languages might use a word like "friend" or "sir."
your sins are forgiven you
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "you are forgiven" or "I forgive your sins" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Luke 5:21
question this
"discuss this" or "reason about this." What they questioned can be stated. Alternate translation: "discuss whether or not Jesus had authority to forgive sins" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Who is this who speaks blasphemies?
This question shows how shocked and angry they were at what Jesus said. This can be written as a statement. Alternate translation: "This man is blaspheming God!" or "He blasphemes God by saying that!" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
Who can forgive sins but God alone?
The implied information is that if a person claims to forgive sins he says he is God. This can be written as a clear statement. Alternate translation: "No one can forgive sins but God alone!" or "God is the only one who can forgive sins!" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Luke 5:22
perceiving what they were thinking
This phrase indicates that they were reasoning silently, so that Jesus sensed rather then heard what they were thinking.
Why are you questioning this in your hearts?
This can be written as a statement. Alternate translation: "You should not argue about this in your hearts." or "You should not doubt that I have the authority to forgive sins." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
in your hearts
Here "hearts" is a metonym for people's minds or inner beings. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
Luke 5:23
Which is easier to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you' or to say 'Get up and walk'?
Jesus uses this question to make the scribes think about what might prove whether or not he could really forgive sins. Alternate translation: "I just said 'Your sins are forgiven you.' You may think that it is harder to say 'Get up and walk,' because the proof of whether or not I can heal the man will be shown by whether or not he gets up and walks." or "You may think that it is easier to say 'Your sins are forgiven' than it is to say 'Get up and walk.'" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
easier to say
The unspoken implication is that one thing is "easier to say because no one will know what has happened," but the other thing is "harder to say because everyone will know what has happened." People could not see if the man's sins were forgiven, but they would all know he was healed if he got up and walked. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Luke 5:24
you may know
Jesus was speaking to the scribes and Pharisees. The word "you" is plural. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-you)
the Son of Man
Jesus was referring to himself.
I tell you
Jesus was saying this to the paralyzed man. The word "you" is singular.
Luke 5:25
Immediately he got up
"At once he got up" or "Right away he got up"
he got up
It may be helpful to clearly say that he was healed. Alternate translation: "the man was healed! He got up"
Luke 5:26
filled with fear
"very afraid" or "filled with awe"
extraordinary things
"amazing things" or "strange things"
Luke 5:27
Connecting Statement:
When Jesus leaves the house, he calls Levi, the Jewish tax collector, to follow him.
After these things happened
The phrase "these things" refers to what happened in the previous verses. This signals a new event. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-newevent)
saw a tax collector
"looked at a tax collector with attention" or "looked carefully at a tax collector"
Follow me
To "follow" someone is to become that person's disciple. Alternate translation: "Be my disciple" or "Come, follow me as your teacher" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)
Luke 5:28
followed him, leaving everything behind
"followed him and left his work as a tax collector"
Luke 5:29
in his house
"in Levi's house"
reclining at the table
It was customary to lie on a couch while eating at a feast and to prop oneself up with the left arm on some pillows. Alternate translation: "eating together" or "eating at the table" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Luke 5:30
to his disciples
"to Jesus's disciples"
Why do you eat ... sinners?
The Pharisees and scribes ask this question to express their disapproval that Jesus's disciples are eating with sinners. Alternate translation: "You should not eat ... sinners!" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
sinners
people who did not obey the law of Moses but committed what others thought were very bad sins
you eat and drink with ... sinners
The Pharisees and scribes believed that religious people should separate themselves from people they consider to be sinners. The word "you" is plural. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Luke 5:31
Connecting Statement:
At the meal, Jesus speaks with the Pharisees and scribes.
People who are well ... sick
Jesus uses this proverb to begin to tell them that he calls sinners to repentance the way a physician calls sick people to be healed. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-proverbs)
physician
"doctor"
only those who are sick
You may need to supply the words that have been omitted. Alternate translation: "only those who are sick need a physician" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-ellipsis)
Luke 5:32
I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance
Jesus uses irony to condemn the Phraisees because they think of themselves as righteous. Anyone who wants to follow Jesus has to think of himself as a sinner, not as righteous. Jesus does not mean that he thinks there are righteous people who do not need to repent. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-irony)
the righteous
This nominal adjective can be translated as a noun phrase. Alternate translation: "righteous people" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-nominaladj)
Luke 5:33
They said to him
"The religious leaders said to Jesus"
Luke 5:34
Can anyone make the wedding attendants of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is still with them?
Jesus uses this question to cause the people to think about a situation that they already know. This can be written as a statement. Alternate translation: "No one tells the wedding attendants of the bridegroom to fast while he is still with them." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
wedding attendants
"guests" or "friends." These are friends who celebrate with a man who is getting married.
the wedding attendants of the bridegroom fast
Fasting is a sign of sadness. The religious leaders understood that the wedding attendants would not fast while the bridegroom was with them. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Luke 5:35
the days will come when
"soon" or "some day"
the bridegroom will be taken away from them
Jesus is comparing himself to the bridegroom, and the disciples to the wedding attendants. He does not explain the metaphor, so the translation should explain it only if necessary. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Luke 5:36
General Information:
Jesus tells a story to the scribes and pharisees who were at Levi's house. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parables)
No one tears ... uses it ... he ... he
"No one rips ... uses it ... he ... he" or "People never tear ... use it ... they ... they"
mend
repair
will not fit with
"will not match" or "will not be the same as"
Luke 5:37
new wine
"grape juice." This refers to wine that has not yet fermented.
wineskins
These were bags made out of animal skins. They could also be called "wine bags" or "bags made of skin."
the new wine will burst the skins
When the new wine would ferment and expand, it would break the old skins because they could no longer stretch out. Jesus's audience would have understood how wine expands when it ferments. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
the wine will be spilled
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "the wine will spill out of the bags" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Luke 5:38
fresh wineskins
"new wineskins" or "new wine bags." This refers to new wineskins, unused.
Luke 5:39
drinking old wine ... wants the new
This metaphor contrasts the old teaching of the religious leaders against the new teaching of Jesus. The point is that people who are used to the old teaching are not willing to listen to the new things that Jesus is teaching. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
for he says, 'The old is better.'
It may be helpful to add the implicit information. Alternate translation: "for he says, 'The old is better,' and he is therefore not willing to try the new wine." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)