Luke Chapter 5 · Verse 2
And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
εἶδεν
saw
G1492
εἶδεν
saw
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
2 of 17
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
ἑστῶτα
standing
G2476
ἑστῶτα
standing
Strong's:
G2476
Word #:
5 of 17
to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)
παρὰ
by
G3844
παρὰ
by
Strong's:
G3844
Word #:
6 of 17
properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἁλιεῖς
the fishermen
G231
ἁλιεῖς
the fishermen
Strong's:
G231
Word #:
11 of 17
a sailor (as engaged on the salt water), i.e., (by implication) a fisher
ἀποβάντες
were gone
G576
ἀποβάντες
were gone
Strong's:
G576
Word #:
12 of 17
literally, to disembark; figuratively, to eventuate
ἀπ'
out of
G575
ἀπ'
out of
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
13 of 17
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
αὐτῶν
them
G846
αὐτῶν
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
14 of 17
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Cross References
Mark 1:19And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.Matthew 4:21And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.
Historical Context
Fishing on Galilee required boats nets equipment significant investment. Partnerships were common sharing costs labor profits. Morning fishing expeditions ended with cleaning nets for next use. Galilee fishing was major industry fish salted dried exported. Peter Andrew James John operated successful business. Their later abandonment of this prosperity for itinerant ministry with Jesus demonstrates radical nature of discipleship call. First-century rabbis typically did not seek disciples disciples sought rabbis. Jesus reverses pattern demonstrates sovereign grace in calling.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus entering ordinary work life challenge sacred-secular divide?
- What does Jesus seeing potential beyond present circumstances teach about how God views believers?
Analysis & Commentary
He saw two ships standing by lake fishermen gone out washing nets. Two ships indicates fishing partnership. Fishermen gone out exited boats. Washing nets cleaning maintaining equipment end of work. Normal workday ending Jesus enters ordinary life. God calls people where they are not requiring special religious preparation. Washing nets mundane task becomes setting for divine encounter. Jesus sees not just boats nets but potential disciples. God sees beyond present circumstances to future calling. Reformed theology emphasizes God sovereign initiative in calling election precedes human response faith is gift. Jesus approaching these men is grace they did not seek Him initially.