Luke 5:1

KJV

¶ And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} it came to pass {G1096}, that, as {G1722} the people {G3793} pressed upon {G1945} him {G846} to hear {G191} the word {G3056} of God {G2316},{G2532} he {G846} stood {G2258}{G2476} by {G3844} the lake {G3041} of Gennesaret {G1082},

Complete Jewish Bible

One day, as Yeshua was standing on the shore of Lake Kinneret, with the people pressing in around him in order to hear the word of God,

Berean Standard Bible

On one occasion, while Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret with the crowd pressing in on Him to hear the word of God,

American Standard Version

Now it came to pass, while the multitude pressed upon him and heard the word of God, that he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 5:1 sets the stage for a pivotal moment in Jesus' Galilean ministry, depicting a scene of intense public interest where a vast crowd pressed in upon Him, eager to hear the word of God. This verse immediately precedes the miraculous catch of fish and the calling of Peter, James, and John, highlighting both the spiritual hunger of the people and Jesus' compassionate response to their need, even in challenging circumstances, by teaching them from the shores of the Lake of Gennesaret.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as a crucial transition point in Luke's Gospel. It follows a period of intense ministry in Capernaum and the surrounding region, where Jesus had already demonstrated His authority through teaching in synagogues and performing numerous healings and exorcisms ([Luke 4:31-44](/luke/4-31-44 "Luke 4:31-44 - Jesus' Ministry in Capernaum")). The widespread fame of Jesus' power and teaching ([Luke 4:37](/luke/4-37 "Luke 4:37 - Jesus' fame spreads")) directly leads to the overwhelming crowds described in this verse. Luke 5:1 then flows seamlessly into the narrative of the miraculous catch of fish ([Luke 5:2-7](/luke/5-2-7 "Luke 5:2-7 - The Miraculous Catch of Fish")) and the subsequent call of Simon Peter, James, and John to become "fishers of men" ([Luke 5:8-11](/luke/5-8-11 "Luke 5:8-11 - The Calling of the First Disciples")), establishing the foundation for His inner circle of disciples.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "lake of Gennesaret" is another name for the Sea of Galilee, a large freshwater lake in northern Israel, which was a hub of fishing and trade in the first century. Its shores were dotted with towns and villages, making it a natural gathering place for large crowds. The people's eagerness to hear Jesus reflects a spiritual vacuum and a longing for authentic divine revelation, contrasting with the often rigid and legalistic teachings of the religious establishment. Public teaching by a rabbi or prophet was common, but the sheer volume of people "pressing upon him" indicates an extraordinary level of interest and desperation, suggesting that Jesus' message resonated deeply with the common people, who often felt marginalized by the religious elite.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 5:1 contributes to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel. Firstly, it underscores the **spiritual hunger for God's Word** among the common people, demonstrating their active pursuit of divine truth and instruction from Jesus, a theme echoed later in the parable of the sower where the "word of God" is central ([Luke 8:11](/luke/8-11 "Luke 8:11 - The Parable of the Sower Explained")). Secondly, it highlights **Jesus' unparalleled authority as a teacher**. Even amidst the chaos of a pressing crowd, Jesus is presented as the authoritative source of "the word of God," whose teaching transcended mere human wisdom and drew people from all walks of life. This authority is further evidenced by His power over nature and disease throughout His ministry ([Luke 4:36](/luke/4-36 "Luke 4:36 - Jesus' Authority Over Demons")). Lastly, it illustrates the **accessibility of Jesus' ministry**. Jesus did not confine His teaching to synagogues or temples but taught wherever people gathered, demonstrating His desire to reach everyone, regardless of their social standing or location, a hallmark of Luke's emphasis on Jesus' ministry to the marginalized and overlooked ([Luke 4:18-19](/luke/4-18-19 "Luke 4:18-19 - Jesus' Mission Statement")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **pressed upon (Greek, _epíkeimai'_):** From ἐπί and κεῖμαι, meaning to rest upon, indicating a strong, insistent pressure or crowding. This vividly portrays the multitude's eagerness and urgency to be near Jesus, suggesting they were literally pushing against Him in their desire to hear.
* **word (Greek, _lógos'_):** From λέγω, referring to something said, a topic, or reasoning. In this context, it specifically denotes Jesus' teaching, emphasizing its divine origin and authority as "the word of God." It signifies not just spoken words, but the divine message and revelation Jesus embodied and proclaimed.
* **Gennesaret (Greek, _Gennēsarét'_):** Of Hebrew origin (compare כִּנְּרוֹת), identifying both a lake and a plain in Palestine. This geographic detail grounds the narrative in a specific, known location, often referred to as the Sea of Galilee, providing a tangible setting for Jesus' public ministry.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God,"**: This opening clause immediately establishes the setting and the intense public demand for Jesus' presence and teaching. The phrase "it came to pass" is a common Lukan literary device, signaling a new development in the narrative. The description of the "people pressed upon him" vividly conveys the overwhelming crowd, driven by a profound spiritual hunger "to hear the word of God." This highlights their active seeking of divine truth and instruction, not mere curiosity.
* **"he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,"**: This second clause provides the specific geographical location where Jesus found Himself amidst the throng. The "lake of Gennesaret" (also known as the Sea of Galilee) was a familiar and central location for Jesus' ministry. His action of standing by the lake suggests a strategic move to gain a better vantage point or to create space from the pressing crowd, setting the scene for His subsequent teaching from a boat.

#### Literary Devices
Luke employs several literary devices to enhance the narrative's impact. The vivid description of the "people pressed upon him" utilizes **Hyperbole** to emphasize the immense size and eagerness of the crowd, conveying a sense of overwhelming demand for Jesus' teaching. The mention of the "lake of Gennesaret" serves as a precise **Setting**, grounding the miraculous events that follow in a real, identifiable location, which adds to the verisimilitude of the account. Furthermore, the entire scene acts as **Foreshadowing** for the subsequent events in Luke 5, particularly Jesus' use of a boat as a teaching platform and the miraculous catch of fish, which directly leads to the calling of His first disciples. The profound hunger for "the word of God" also foreshadows the central role of Jesus' teaching and the spread of the Gospel throughout the book of Acts.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 5:1 underscores the profound human need for divine revelation and the active pursuit of God's truth. The crowd's desperate pressing to hear "the word of God" reveals a spiritual vacuum that only Jesus, as the embodiment of that Word, could fill. This scene highlights Jesus' accessibility and willingness to meet people where they are, even in chaotic circumstances, to deliver life-giving truth. It emphasizes that true spiritual nourishment comes not from human wisdom or religious ritual alone, but from direct engagement with God's authoritative and transformative word, as spoken by Christ. This hunger for the divine word is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, pointing to humanity's inherent longing for connection with its Creator and the guidance He provides.

* [Deuteronomy 8:3](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Deuteronomy 8:3 - Man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord")
* [Amos 8:11](/amos/8-11 "Amos 8:11 - A famine of hearing the words of the Lord")
* [John 6:68](/john/6-68 "John 6:68 - Simon Peter's confession: 'You have the words of eternal life'")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 5:1 offers a powerful mirror for contemporary believers, challenging us to examine the depth of our own spiritual hunger. The image of the crowd pressing in, desperate to hear Jesus, stands in stark contrast to the often passive or distracted engagement with God's Word in our modern lives. This verse calls us to cultivate an active, urgent desire to draw near to Jesus and absorb His teachings, recognizing that His "word of God" is the ultimate source of truth, guidance, and life. It reminds us that spiritual growth requires intentionality and a willingness to prioritize hearing from Him above the clamor of daily demands. Just as Jesus adapted to the circumstances to share His message, we are encouraged to be resourceful in seeking out opportunities to engage with Scripture and to share its transformative power with a world that, though perhaps unknowingly, still presses for true meaning and hope.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the crowd's eagerness to hear "the word of God" challenge my own priorities and commitment to engaging with Scripture?**
* **In what practical ways can I create more space in my life to "press upon" Jesus and hear His word amidst daily distractions?**
* **What specific "word of God" from Jesus' teachings am I most in need of hearing and applying in my life today?**

### FAQ

**Why was the crowd so eager to hear Jesus, and what does "the word of God" mean in this context?**

Answer: The crowd's eagerness stemmed from Jesus' rapidly spreading fame, fueled by His powerful teaching and miraculous healings ([Luke 4:31-44](/luke/4-31-44 "Luke 4:31-44 - Jesus' Ministry in Capernaum")). Unlike the traditional religious leaders, Jesus taught with unparalleled authority and demonstrated divine power, addressing the deep spiritual and physical needs of the people. In this context, "the word of God" (Greek: _lógos tou Theou_) refers specifically to Jesus' authoritative teaching and preaching. It signifies not just human words, but divine revelation and truth that He embodied and proclaimed, offering hope, healing, and a pathway to God's kingdom. The people were hungry for authentic truth and a genuine encounter with the divine, which they found in Jesus.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 5:1, with its depiction of the multitude pressing to hear "the word of God" from Jesus, profoundly foreshadows and illuminates Jesus' ultimate identity as the living Word made flesh. The spiritual hunger of the crowd for the spoken word of God finds its ultimate satisfaction in Christ Himself, who is the **Logos**—the divine expression and revelation of God ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - In the beginning was the Word")). As the one through whom God now speaks to humanity ([Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1-2 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God has spoken to us by His Son")), Jesus embodies the very truth that the people were desperate to hear. His willingness to teach amidst the pressing crowd, even from a boat, demonstrates His mission to bring God's saving truth directly to a lost and longing world. This scene points forward to the reality that in Jesus, the abstract "word of God" becomes a tangible, accessible person, offering not just instruction, but eternal life to all who believe and follow Him ([John 6:68](/john/6-68 "John 6:68 - Peter's confession: 'You have the words of eternal life'")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Mark 1:16

Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

Mark 1:20

And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.

Matthew 4:18

¶ And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

Matthew 4:22

And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.

Mark 3:9

And he spake to his disciples, that a small ship should wait on him because of the multitude, lest they should throng him.

Matthew 14:34

¶ And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret.

Mark 6:53

And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore.