Luke 5

Jesus, Lord over creation

Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. Luke 5:4–9

After a night of catching nothing, Peter obeys Jesus' word and the nets overflow. Seeing His power, Peter falls down, feels his sinfulness, and calls Him Lord — much like Isaiah before the LORD.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Isaiah 6:5 — Woe is me... for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.
• alluded to by John 21:6 — The risen Lord again fills the disciples' net.

Jesus calls fishers of men

And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. Luke 5:10–11

Jesus calls Peter, James, and John to gather souls, and they leave everything to follow Him.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Mark 1:16-20 — The calling of the fishermen.

Cleanser of the leper

And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. Luke 5:12–13

Jesus touches the untouchable leper and makes him clean. His willingness — 'I will' — shows how much He wants to heal us.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Mark 1:40-42 — Same healing.

Leper's cleansing offering

And he charged him to tell no man: but go, and shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them. Luke 5:14

Jesus sends the man to perform the law of Moses' cleansing rite, in which one bird was slain and a living bird dipped in its blood and set free. That rite pointed to Christ, whose blood cleanses; now the priests receive a testimony that the true Cleanser has come.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Leviticus 14:2-7 — The law of the leper's cleansing with the slain and living birds.

Power of the Lord

And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them. Luke 5:17

Luke says the Lord's power was present to heal as Jesus taught. The healing power of God is flowing through Jesus.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

Son of Man

Son of Man — Son of the Man of Holiness, the Father (Moses 6:57)

And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee. Luke 5:20–24

The scribes rightly say only God can forgive sins — and Jesus does it, then heals the man to prove His power. 'Son of Man' means Son of the Man of Holiness, our Heavenly Father.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Mark 2:5-11 — Same healing and forgiveness.
• interpreted by Moses 6:57 — Man of Holiness is his name, and the name of his Only Begotten is the Son of Man.

Follow me

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. Luke 5:27–28

Jesus calls a despised tax collector with two words, and Levi (Matthew) leaves everything.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Mark 2:14 — The call of Levi.

The Physician

Physician — the healer of souls

And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. Luke 5:31–32

Jesus calls Himself a physician who came for the spiritually sick. He eats with sinners because they are exactly the ones He came to heal.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Mark 2:17 — They that are whole have no need of the physician.
• the same title in Luke 4:23 — Physician, heal thyself.

Bridegroom

Bridegroom — the covenant Husband of His people

And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? Luke 5:34–35

Jesus calls Himself the Bridegroom, the covenant Husband of Israel, and quietly prophesies that He will be 'taken away' — His death.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Mark 2:19-20 — The bridegroom shall be taken away.
• alludes to Isaiah 62:5 — As the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.
• the same title in John 3:29 — John: He that hath the bride is the bridegroom.
• the same title in D&C 133:10 — Prepare yourselves, for the Bridegroom cometh.