51 Now it happened that while the crowd was pressing around Him and listening to the word of God , He was standing by the lake of Gennesaret ; 2 and He saw two boats lying at the edge of the lake ; but the fishermen had gotten out of them and were washing their nets . 3 And He got into one of the boats , which was Simon's , and asked him to put out a little way from the land . And He sat down and began teaching the people from the boat . 4 When He had finished speaking , He said to Simon , "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch ." 5 Simon answered and said , " Master , we worked hard all night and caught nothing , but I will do as You say and let down the nets ." 6 When they had done this , they enclosed a great quantity of fish , and their nets began to break ; 7 so they signaled to their partners in the other boat for them to come and help them. And they came and filled both of the boats , so that they began to sink . 8 But when Simon Peter saw that, he fell down at Jesus' feet , saying , "Go away from me Lord , for I am a sinful man , O Lord !" 9 For amazement had seized him and all his companions e because of the catch of fish which they had taken ; 10 and so also were James and John , sons of Zebedee , who were partners with Simon . And Jesus said to Simon , " Do not fear , from now on you will be catching men ." 11 When they had brought their boats to land , they left everything and followed Him.
12 While He was in one of the cities , behold , there was a man covered with leprosy ; and when he saw Jesus , he fell on his face and implored Him, saying , "Lord , if You are willing , You can make me clean ." 13 And He stretched out His hand and touched him, saying , "I am willing ; be cleansed ." And immediately the leprosy left him. 14 And He ordered him to tell no one , "But go and show yourself to the priest and make an offering for your cleansing , just as Moses commanded , as a testimony to them." 15 But the news about Him was spreading even farther , and large crowds were gathering to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses . 16 But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 5:1-16
Commentary on Luke 5:1-11
(Read Luke 5:1-11)
When Christ had done preaching, he told Peter to apply to the business of his calling. Time spent on week days in public exercises of religion, need be but little hinderance in time, and may be great furtherance to us in temper of mind, as to our worldly business. With what cheerfulness may we go about the duties of our calling, when we have been with God, and thus have our worldly employments sanctified to us by the word and prayer! Though they had taken nothing, yet Christ told them to let down their nets again. We must not abruptly quit our callings because we have not the success in them we desire. We are likely to speed well, when we follow the guidance of Christ's word. The draught of fishes was by a miracle. We must all, like Peter, own ourselves to be sinful men, therefore Jesus Christ might justly depart from us. But we must beseech him that he would not depart; for woe unto us if the Saviour depart from sinners! Rather let us entreat him to come and dwell in our hearts by faith, that he may transform and cleanse them. These fishermen forsook all, and followed Jesus, when their calling prospered. When riches increase, and we are tempted to set our hearts upon them, then to quit them for Christ is thankworthy.
Commentary on Luke 5:12-16
(Read Luke 5:12-16)
This man is said to be full of leprosy; he had that distemper in a high degree, which represents our natural pollution by sin; we are full of that leprosy; from the crown of the head to the sole of the foot there is no soundness in us. Strong confidence and deep humility are united in the words of this leper. And if any sinner, from a deep sense of vileness, says, I know the Lord can cleanse, but will he look upon such a one as me? will he apply his own precious blood for my cleansing and healing? Yes, he will. Speak not as doubting, but as humbly referring the matter to Christ. And being saved from the guilt and power of our sins, let us spread abroad Christ's fame, and bring others to hear him and to be healed.