And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them and were washing their nets.Luke 5:2 Explainer ## Introduction - In Plain Language: Jesus saw two boats tied up at the shore, but the fishermen had left them and were cleaning their nets. - Big idea: A simple, ordinary detail—boats waiting and fishermen washing nets—sets the stage for an extraordinary encounter that calls ordinary people into ministry. - Key points: - Luke gives ordinary, concrete detail to show Jesus meets people in everyday life. - The fishermen are finished for the day; Jesus will interrupt their routine with a new call. - Small actions (washing nets) point forward to a larger event—obedience, provision, and calling. ## Context - Where this verse fits in: Luke 5:2 begins the scene of Jesus calling Simon Peter, James, and John. It’s the opening snapshot before Jesus teaches from a boat and performs the miraculous catch of fish (Luke 5:1–11). - Story timeline: Early in Jesus’ Galilean ministry. Luke’s gospel is addressed to Theophilus and to a mixed Jewish-Gentile audience; the speaker of the narrative is Luke reporting Jesus’ actions around the Sea of Galilee (also called the Lake of Gennesaret). - Surrounding passage: - Just before (v.1): People were pressing Jesus to hear God’s word by the lake; Jesus steps into Simon’s boat to teach the crowd. - Immediately after (vv.3–11): Jesus asks Simon to push out a little; after teaching, Jesus tells Simon to let down the nets for a catch. They catch so many fish the nets begin to break, leading to Peter’s recognition of Jesus and the fishermen’s call to follow him. ## Explanation - Quick take: Luke 5:2 highlights everyday detail—boats at the shore, fishermen washing nets—so the reader sees the real-life setting. It shows the fishermen were done for the day, which makes the miracle and the call that follows more striking: Jesus interrupts their ordinary work and calls them to a new purpose. - In Depth: - The verse reads like a stage direction. Luke notes two boats “standing by the lake” (moored at the water’s edge) while the fishermen “were washing their nets.” That washing implies the day’s work had ended—nets were cleaned, repaired, and made ready for next time. It signals rest and routine. - This ordinary domestic detail brings realism and relatability: these are working men finishing their job, not religious leaders on a mountain. Luke’s inclusion stresses that Jesus’ work touches everyday life. - The scene sets contrast and tension: the fishermen are done, but Jesus asks them to go out again into the deep (v.4). Their obedience produces abundance and leads to a vocational shift—fishermen become “fishers of men” (v.10). The washing of nets thus becomes a narrative hinge: from routine maintenance to radical mission. - The detail also functions theologically: God’s call often comes into ordinary moments; human plans and rhythms are where the divine appears. The narrative shows that obedience to Jesus, even when it interrupts normal life, results in provision and a transformed identity. ## Key Words - πλοῖα (ploia) — “boats” or “ships”: the small fishing vessels of the Sea of Galilee. - ἑστῶτα (hestōta) — “standing” or “moored”: indicates the boats were at rest, not in use. - ἁλιεῖς (halieis) — “fishermen”: professional workers, not symbolic figures yet—ordinary guys making their living. - κατέπλυναν (kateplunan) — “were washing/rinsing”: refers to cleaning and tending the nets after a day’s work (could also imply mending and preparing). ## Background - Fishing on the Sea of Galilee: Fishing was a major livelihood. Boats were small, often 2–3 dozen feet long, and nets required constant care; nets would be washed to remove dirt, slime, and salt and to repair holes. - Cultural note: End-of-day routines mattered—washing nets signaled the day’s work was complete. Luke’s reader would understand these details as signs of ordinary life and honest labor. - Literary note: Boats in Luke and the Gospels are common places for teaching, miracles, and transition—Jesus teaches from a boat (v.3), calms storms later, and calls disciples from their work. ## Theology - Theological insights in plain language: - God meets people in ordinary, workaday moments—not just in temples or dramatic settings. - Jesus’ call often interrupts routine; following him may require leaving something familiar. - Obedience to Jesus in the ordinary can lead to unexpected provision and a new identity. ## Application To Your Life - For workers: Your day-to-day tasks are not separate from God’s work. Be open for God to interrupt routine with a new opportunity or calling. - For parents: Small daily chores—washing, feeding, preparing—are the backdrop where faith is lived and can be transformed by God’s call. - For seekers: This verse reminds you that encounters with God can happen in ordinary life—not only in dramatic experiences. - For church leaders: Ordinary details in people’s lives are starting points for ministry; meet people where they are. - Reflection questions: - Where in my routine might God be asking me to go “back out” even though I feel done for the day? - What everyday tasks might I be overlooking as places God can use? - Short prayer: Lord, help me see You in the ordinary. Give me the courage to answer when You ask me to move from routine to mission. ## Translation Comparison - KJV: “And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.” - NIV: “He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets.” - ESV: “And he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets.” - NLT: “He saw two boats sitting at the shoreline. The fishermen had left them and were washing their nets.” - Why differences matter: Translators render the same picture with slightly different emphasis. “Standing by the lake” (KJV/ESV) and “sitting at the shoreline” (NLT) both point to boats at rest. “Were washing their nets” (KJV/ESV/NIV) captures the Greek verb that implies cleaning/repairing. Subtle choices affect tone—“left there by the fishermen” (NIV) stresses that the men are off the boats, while “had gone out of them” (KJV/ESV) sounds more abrupt. These choices change how readers picture the moment (restful vs. vacated) but not the basic meaning. ## FAQs - Q: Why does Luke mention that the fishermen were washing their nets? A: Luke includes this small detail for several reasons. Practically, it tells us the fishermen had finished their day’s work—the nets were being cleaned and mended—which implies rest and routine. Narratively, it sets up contrast: Jesus asks them to go back out even though they are done, so their obedience becomes more remarkable. The detail also grounds the story in everyday life; readers recognize honest work and ordinary rhythms. Theologically, it signals that God’s invitation comes into the ordinary. Washing nets was a post-work task that most people would understand; by putting the scene in this real-world frame, Luke shows that divine encounters often interrupt daily life rather than happen only at sacred moments. - Q: Does “washing their nets” mean they were just rinsing them, or repairing them? A: The Greek verb (κατέπλυναν / kateplunan) primarily conveys rinsing or washing, but in ancient fishing life washing and mending often went hand-in-hand. After a day on the lake nets would be muddy, slimy, and full of debris; fishermen would clean them to preserve and sometimes repair tears. So the phrase likely implies both cleansing and routine maintenance—preparing the nets for next use. The image shows a finished workday; that combined action (cleaning and repairing) makes the scene realistic and highlights the interruption Jesus introduces when he tells them to cast again. ## Cross References - Luke 5:4–11 — The miraculous catch and the call of Simon Peter (direct continuation). - Matthew 4:18–22 — Another account of Jesus calling fishermen; compares leaving nets immediately. - Mark 1:16–20 — Parallel to Matthew’s account, showing the pattern of calling fishermen as disciples. - John 21:1–14 — A post-resurrection fishing scene with Jesus and the disciples; echoes themes of provision and calling. ## Deeper Study - Commentary synthesis (high-level): Commentators note Luke’s use of everyday detail to underscore the historicity and realism of his narrative. The motif of boats and nets appears across the Gospels as a symbol of ordinary labor transformed by Jesus’ presence. Scholars highlight how Luke structures the scene: teaching (from a boat), a testing of obedience (cast down the nets), a miraculous provision, and then vocational calling. The washing of nets emphasizes human limitation and divine abundance. - For group study (discussion/action bullets): - Read Luke 5:1–11 aloud and list all ordinary, concrete details—discuss why Luke includes them. - Discuss a time when God interrupted your routine—how did that feel and what happened? - Role-play: imagine being one of the fishermen—what questions would you have heard in your heart when Jesus spoke? - Plan a practical act of obedience this week prompted by someone interrupting your schedule. ## Related verses (to compare and contrast — and why) - Matthew 4:18–22 — Why: Similar calling of fishermen, but Matthew emphasizes immediate leaving of nets; comparing shows different emphases in Gospel portraits of the call. - Mark 1:16–20 — Why: Another parallel that highlights the theme of discipleship and immediate response; comparing reveals Mark’s brisk narrative pace. - John 21:1–14 — Why: A later fishing scene where Jesus again provides fish; contrast shows continuity between Jesus’ ministry and post-resurrection encounters, emphasizing provision and restoration. ## Talk to the Bible Try the ‘Talk To The Bible’ feature to dig deeper into this moment—ask questions or request a short devotional or sermon outline. Suggested prompts: - “Explain the Greek verb κατέπλυναν and what it tells us about fishermen’s work and life.” - “How does Luke use ordinary details (like washing nets) to make theological points in chapter 5?” - “Create a five-minute devotional based on Luke 5:1–11 for a small group, focusing on obedience in ordinary life.”
