Luke 5:2

KJV

And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing [their] nets.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} saw {G1492} two {G1417} ships {G4143} standing {G2476} by {G3844} the lake {G3041}: but {G1161} the fishermen {G231} were gone {G576} out of {G575} them {G846}, and were washing {G637} their nets {G1350}.

Complete Jewish Bible

he noticed two boats pulled up on the beach, left there by the fishermen, who were cleaning their nets.

Berean Standard Bible

He saw two boats at the edge of the lake. The fishermen had left them and were washing their nets.

American Standard Version

and he saw two boats standing by the lake: but the fishermen had gone out of them, and were washing their nets.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 5:2 meticulously sets the stage for a pivotal encounter between Jesus and His future disciples, particularly Simon Peter. It describes two unoccupied fishing boats moored by the Lake of Gennesaret, their owners, the fishermen, having disembarked to perform the routine and laborious task of washing their nets. This seemingly mundane scene, following a night of presumably unfruitful toil, subtly highlights the ordinary circumstances into which divine intervention is about to break, transforming daily labor into a profound call to ministry.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows [Luke 5:1](/luke/5-1 "Luke 5:1 - The Crowd Gathers by the Lake"), where a large crowd is pressing in on Jesus, eager to hear the word of God. The narrative flow establishes Jesus's need for a platform to teach, leading directly to His observation of the boats and the fishermen. Luke 5:2 thus serves as the crucial setup for Jesus's subsequent interaction with Simon Peter in [Luke 5:3-11](/luke/5-3-11 "Luke 5:3-11 - The Miraculous Catch and Call of Peter"), where He requests to use one of the boats and then orchestrates the miraculous catch of fish, culminating in the call of the first disciples. The detail of the fishermen washing their nets subtly foreshadows their readiness for a new, unexpected direction in their lives.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting, the Lake of Gennesaret (also known as the Sea of Galilee), was a vibrant hub for the fishing industry in first-century Galilee. Fishing was a primary occupation, often conducted at night when fish were more active. The boats, referred to as "ships" (Greek: _ploion_), were typically small, open vessels, suitable for the lake's conditions and for carrying nets and a small crew. The act of "washing their nets" was a common and essential post-fishing chore. Nets, often made of linen or hemp, would collect debris, weeds, and scales during a night's work. Cleaning them prevented rot, mended tears, and prepared them for the next use, ensuring their longevity and effectiveness. This routine task underscores the diligent, often arduous, nature of a fisherman's life.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 5:2 contributes to several significant themes within Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. It underscores the theme of **divine initiative**, showing Jesus actively seeking out and engaging with individuals in their everyday lives and occupations, rather than waiting for them to come to Him in a formal religious setting. The availability of the empty boats and the fishermen's engagement in a preparatory task also highlights the theme of **readiness and availability** for God's call; even in moments of winding down or perceived failure (implied by the later context of an empty catch in [Luke 5:5](/luke/5-5 "Luke 5:5 - Peter's Unsuccessful Night")), individuals can be positioned for divine encounter. Furthermore, the verse subtly introduces the theme of **transformation**, as ordinary tools (boats) and ordinary labor (fishing) are about to be consecrated for extraordinary, spiritual purposes, foreshadowing the transformation of fishermen into "fishers of men" as described in [Luke 5:10](/luke/5-10 "Luke 5:10 - Jesus Calls the Fishermen")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **saw (Greek, _eídō'_):** This verb, often translated as "to see" or "to perceive," carries a deeper connotation than mere physical observation. In the perfect tense, as implied here, it can mean "to know" or "to be aware." Jesus's "seeing" the ships and fishermen is not a casual glance but an intentional observation, implying a recognition of their situation and a purpose in His gaze, setting the stage for His divine intervention.
* **fishermen (Greek, _halieús'_):** Derived from a word meaning "salt water," this term specifically denotes those whose livelihood is derived from the sea, emphasizing their profession and identity. These were not casual hobbyists but seasoned professionals whose lives revolved around the demanding and often unpredictable work of fishing. Their identity as "fishermen" is crucial, as Jesus will later transform their occupational skill into a spiritual metaphor for evangelism.
* **washing (Greek, _apoplýnō'_):** This compound verb, combining "from" (apo) and "to wash" (plyno), specifically means "to rinse off" or "to wash thoroughly." It describes a meticulous and necessary act of cleaning the nets, removing debris, scales, and algae accumulated during the night. This action signifies the completion of one phase of work and preparation for the next, highlighting diligence and a sense of closure to an arduous, likely unfruitful, night.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And saw two ships standing by the lake:"** Jesus observes the scene. The presence of "two ships" (Greek: _dyo ploia_), not just one, indicates a common partnership in the fishing trade, likely involving Simon Peter, James, and John, as revealed later in the narrative. Their "standing by the lake" (Greek: _histēmi para tē limnē_) suggests they were moored or beached, having completed their night's work and returned to shore. The "lake" is the Sea of Galilee, a familiar setting for Jesus's ministry.
* **"but the fishermen were gone out of them,"** The conjunction "but" (Greek: _dé_) introduces a contrast or a shift in focus. While the boats are present, their occupants, "the fishermen" (Greek: _hoi halieis_), have disembarked. This detail is significant because it means the boats are empty and available, a crucial prerequisite for Jesus to use one as a teaching platform. Their absence from the boats also indicates their transition from active fishing to post-work tasks.
* **"and were washing [their] nets."** This final clause describes the specific activity of the fishermen. They were "washing their nets" (Greek: _apoplyno ta diktya_), a laborious and essential task. This action implies the conclusion of their fishing expedition, and as the subsequent verses reveal, it was a night without a catch ([Luke 5:5](/luke/5-5 "Luke 5:5 - Peter's Unsuccessful Night")). This detail paints a picture of weary, perhaps disheartened, workers engaged in a mundane but necessary chore, unaware of the divine encounter about to transform their lives.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 5:2 effectively employs **Setting** to establish the scene, placing Jesus by the familiar Lake of Gennesaret, a hub of daily life and labor. The description of the "two ships standing by the lake" and the "fishermen...washing their nets" creates a vivid, realistic backdrop. There is subtle **Foreshadowing** in the availability of the empty boats and the fishermen's engagement in a preparatory task; these seemingly ordinary details become crucial elements for Jesus's next actions, hinting at the extraordinary events about to unfold. The verse also uses **Contrast** between the presence of the boats and the absence of the fishermen from them, drawing attention to their current activity on shore. Finally, the act of "washing their nets" carries **Symbolism** of a winding down, a completion of a task, and perhaps even a sense of futility after an unsuccessful night, setting the stage for Jesus to introduce a new, more fruitful endeavor.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 5:2, though seemingly descriptive, is rich with theological implications. It illustrates God's sovereign initiative in encountering humanity not in grand temples or formal religious ceremonies, but in the midst of ordinary life and daily toil. Jesus, the Son of God, steps into the mundane reality of weary fishermen, observing their labor and their tools. This highlights the sacredness of everyday work and the truth that no human endeavor, however common or seemingly unsuccessful, is outside the purview of God's redemptive plan. The availability of the boats and the fishermen's state of preparation (washing nets) also underscore the theme of divine readiness; God often calls us when we are engaged in our regular duties, inviting us to repurpose our skills and resources for His kingdom.

* [Exodus 3:1-2](/exodus/3-1-2 "Exodus 3:1-2 - Moses at the Burning Bush")
* [Matthew 4:18-22](/matthew/4-18-22 "Matthew 4:18-22 - The Call of the First Disciples")
* [John 21:1-6](/john/21-1-6 "John 21:1-6 - The Miraculous Catch After the Resurrection")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 5:2 offers a profound invitation to recognize God's presence and potential intervention in the most ordinary aspects of our lives. Just as Jesus found the fishermen engaged in their daily, perhaps disheartening, routine of washing nets after a fruitless night, He often meets us in our own moments of exhaustion, frustration, or mundane tasks. This verse reminds us that our availability, even when we feel empty or unproductive, can be precisely what God uses for His divine purposes. It challenges us to maintain a posture of readiness, knowing that even the most tedious preparations can be part of God's grand design to launch us into a new, more fruitful season of service. Our "nets" – our skills, resources, and daily work – can be consecrated for His kingdom, transforming our ordinary efforts into extraordinary opportunities for divine impact.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where in my daily routine or work might Jesus be "standing by," observing my efforts and preparing for an encounter?**
* **What "nets" am I currently washing or preparing, and how can I view these mundane tasks as opportunities for God's presence and purpose?**
* **In what ways might I be called to make myself or my resources "available" to God, even when I feel tired or have experienced a "fruitless night"?**

### FAQ
**Why were the fishermen washing their nets, and what does this signify?**

Answer: The fishermen were washing their nets as a routine and essential part of their post-fishing work. This process involved cleaning off debris, fish scales, and algae, which would accumulate during a night of fishing. Washing prevented the nets from rotting, helped to mend any tears, and ensured they were clean and ready for the next use. The act signifies the completion of their night's labor and preparation for future endeavors. In the context of [Luke 5:5](/luke/5-5 "Luke 5:5 - Peter's Unsuccessful Night"), it also implies that their night's work had been unfruitful, making the task perhaps more tedious and disheartening, yet still necessary. This mundane act sets the stage for Jesus's extraordinary intervention.

**What is the significance of the "two ships" in this verse?**

Answer: The mention of "two ships" (or boats) is significant because it reflects the common practice of fishermen working in partnerships on the Sea of Galilee. As the narrative unfolds in [Luke 5:3-11](/luke/5-3-11 "Luke 5:3-11 - The Miraculous Catch and Call of Peter"), we learn that one boat belongs to Simon Peter, and the other to James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were his partners. The presence of two boats highlights the communal nature of their work and provides Jesus with options for His teaching platform. It also underscores that His call to discipleship would extend beyond a single individual to a group of men who were already connected by their profession.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 5:2, in its depiction of Jesus observing the weary fishermen and their empty boats, beautifully foreshadows Christ's ultimate mission to seek and save the lost, transforming ordinary lives and occupations into instruments of His kingdom. Just as Jesus steps into the mundane reality of these fishermen, He consistently enters human experience at its most common points, demonstrating His accessibility and desire to engage with humanity where they are. The availability of the boats and the fishermen's state of preparation (washing nets) subtly points to Christ's divine initiative in calling His disciples, not from a place of spiritual perfection, but from their daily toil and even their perceived failures ([Luke 5:5](/luke/5-5 "Luke 5:5 - Peter's Unsuccessful Night")). This encounter sets the stage for Jesus to transform these "fishers of fish" into "fishers of men" ([Luke 5:10](/luke/5-10 "Luke 5:10 - Jesus Calls the Fishermen")), illustrating how He repurposes human skills and resources for eternal purposes. This foreshadows the Great Commission, where His followers are sent out to gather people into God's kingdom, just as He gathered these first disciples from their nets, empowering them to participate in His redemptive work ([Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission")). Ultimately, the scene in Luke 5:2 is a microcosm of Christ's incarnational ministry: He enters our world, identifies with our labors, and calls us to a higher purpose, fulfilling the Father's plan to draw all people to Himself through the power of the Gospel ([John 12:32](/john/12-32 "John 12:32 - Jesus Will Draw All People to Himself")).

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 1:19

And 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 4:21

And 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.