Luke 5:3

KJV

And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} he entered {G1684} into {G1519} one {G1520} of the ships {G4143}, which {G3739} was {G2258} Simon's {G4613}, and prayed {G2065} him {G846} that he would thrust out {G1877} a little {G3641} from {G575} the land {G1093}. And {G2532} he sat down {G2523}, and taught {G1321} the people {G3793} out of {G1537} the ship {G4143}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Shim`on, and asked him to put out a little way from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.

Berean Standard Bible

Jesus got into the boat belonging to Simon and asked him to put out a little from shore. And sitting down, He taught the people from the boat.

American Standard Version

And he entered into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the multitudes out of the boat.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 5:3 vividly portrays Jesus' ingenious adaptation to the overwhelming crowds pressing upon Him on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. By entering Simon Peter's fishing boat and requesting it be pushed a short distance from the land, Jesus transformed the vessel into a natural pulpit. From this unique vantage point, He effectively taught the eager multitude, demonstrating His resourcefulness, the accessibility of His message, and the divine authority of His instruction, setting the stage for the miraculous catch and the subsequent call of His first disciples.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment following the initial surge of public interest in Jesus' ministry. [Luke 5:1](/luke/5-1 "Luke 5:1 - Crowds Pressing on Jesus") describes the immense crowds pressing in to hear the Word of God, making it difficult for Jesus to teach effectively. The two ships mentioned in [Luke 5:2](/luke/5-2 "Luke 5:2 - Two Ships by the Lake") belong to fishermen who have just returned from a fruitless night of toil. Jesus' choice of Simon's boat is not arbitrary; it immediately precedes the miraculous catch of fish in [Luke 5:4-7](/luke/5-4-7 "Luke 5:4-7 - The Miraculous Catch of Fish") and the profound call of Peter, James, and John to become "fishers of men" in [Luke 5:10-11](/luke/5-10-11 "Luke 5:10-11 - The Call of the First Disciples"). Thus, this seemingly simple act of teaching from a boat serves as a practical solution to a logistical problem and a crucial prelude to a foundational event in the formation of Jesus' inner circle.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Sea of Galilee, also known as Lake Gennesaret or Tiberias, was a bustling hub of fishing and commerce in first-century Galilee. Fishing was a primary industry, supporting many families, including that of Simon Peter. Public teaching in ancient Israel often occurred in synagogues, but also frequently in open-air settings, especially when large crowds gathered. Natural topography, like hillsides or shorelines, could be utilized to create an amphitheater effect, allowing a speaker's voice to carry. By having the boat "thrust out a little from the land," Jesus leveraged the acoustic properties of water, which acts as a sound reflector, to amplify His voice and ensure His message reached the entire multitude gathered on the shore. This demonstrates Jesus' practical wisdom and His willingness to adapt traditional teaching methods to reach the common people where they were.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights Jesus' **Resourcefulness and Adaptability** in ministry; He doesn't let logistical challenges hinder His mission but creatively utilizes available resources, even a humble fishing boat, to proclaim the [Kingdom of God](/luke/4-43 "Luke 4:43 - Preaching the Kingdom of God"). Secondly, it underscores the **Authority of Jesus' Teaching**; even from an unconventional pulpit, His words carry divine weight and draw immense crowds, fulfilling prophecies about a great teacher (e.g., [Deuteronomy 18:15](/deuteronomy/18-15 "Deuteronomy 18:15 - The Prophet Like Moses")). Thirdly, the interaction with Simon's boat serves as a **Preparation for Discipleship**, initiating a personal engagement with Peter that culminates in his call to follow Jesus and become a "fisher of men" ([Luke 5:10](/luke/5-10 "Luke 5:10 - Fishers of Men")). Finally, it exemplifies the **Accessibility of the Gospel**; Jesus teaches the "people" (Greek: _ochlos_), indicating His message is for everyone, not just an elite few, and He meets them in their everyday environment, making the divine accessible to all who would listen.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **entered (Greek, _embaínō_):** This verb means "to walk on, i.e., embark (aboard a vessel), reach (a pool)." In this context, it signifies Jesus' deliberate action of stepping into the boat. It's not a casual entry but a purposeful movement to secure a platform for His teaching. This act of "embarking" sets Him apart and elevates Him, literally and figuratively, above the pressing crowd, enabling a more effective delivery of His message.
* **taught (Greek, _didáskō_):** Derived from a primary verb meaning "to learn," _didáskō_ means "to teach (in the same broad application)." This word emphasizes Jesus' primary role as an authoritative instructor. He was not merely conversing or sharing opinions, but systematically imparting divine truth, doctrine, and principles of the Kingdom of God. The continuous tense implied by the imperfect verb suggests an ongoing act of teaching, not just a single utterance.
* **people (Greek, _óchlos_):** This term refers to "a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot." In this context, _óchlos_ denotes the large, undifferentiated crowd or multitude. It highlights the vast number of ordinary individuals drawn to Jesus, emphasizing the broad appeal and accessibility of His message to the common folk, rather than just a select group of disciples or religious leaders.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's":** Jesus, seeking a solution to the pressing crowd, purposefully steps into one of the available fishing boats. The detail that it "was Simon's" is significant, as it immediately identifies the owner, Simon Peter, who will play a crucial role in the events that follow and become a foundational apostle. This personal connection foreshadows the deeper relationship Jesus will forge with Simon.
* **"and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land":** Jesus does not command Simon but "prayed him," or rather, "requested him." This polite yet firm request highlights Jesus' respect for Simon's property and autonomy, even as He exercises His divine authority. The instruction to "thrust out a little from the land" (Greek: _epanágō oligō_) is a practical maneuver, creating a small distance between the boat and the shore. This distance served both to manage the crowd and to create an optimal acoustic environment for His voice to carry over the water to the multitude.
* **"And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship":** Having secured His teaching platform, Jesus "sat down," a posture traditionally associated with authoritative teaching for rabbis and scribes. From this elevated position within the boat, He "taught the people." This phrase underscores the primary purpose of the entire setup: the clear and effective proclamation of God's Word to the eager multitude. The boat, an ordinary instrument of labor, was transformed into an extraordinary pulpit for divine instruction.

#### Literary Devices
Luke's narrative in this verse employs several effective **Literary Devices**. The scene itself functions as a powerful **Symbolism**, where the boat, an instrument of earthly labor and sustenance, is transformed into a vessel for divine revelation and spiritual nourishment. This foreshadows how ordinary people and their everyday lives would be used by Jesus for extraordinary spiritual purposes. The act of Jesus "sitting down" is a subtle yet significant use of **Cultural Allusion**, as it was the customary posture for a rabbi when delivering authoritative teaching, immediately signaling His role and authority to His audience. Furthermore, the entire episode serves as **Foreshadowing** for Simon Peter's subsequent call to discipleship and his future role as a "fisher of men" ([Luke 5:10](/luke/5-10 "Luke 5:10 - Fishers of Men")), where his very livelihood becomes a metaphor for his spiritual mission. The natural setting of the Sea of Galilee, with its acoustic properties, is utilized as a **Setting as Character**, actively facilitating the effective delivery of Jesus' message.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 5:3 powerfully illustrates the divine authority and practical wisdom of Jesus, who, faced with a pressing crowd, creatively adapts His method to ensure the Word of God is clearly proclaimed. This act underscores God's commitment to making His truth accessible to all people, regardless of their social standing or the logistical challenges. It reveals a God who is not limited by circumstances but ingeniously uses ordinary means—a fisherman's boat—to accomplish extraordinary spiritual ends. The scene also highlights the importance of human cooperation in God's redemptive plan, as Simon's willingness to lend his boat becomes a precursor to his deeper commitment and call to ministry. This readiness to yield one's resources, however humble, for the Lord's purposes is a recurring theme throughout Scripture.

* [Matthew 13:2](/matthew/13-2 "Matthew 13:2 - Jesus Teaching from a Boat")
* [John 6:63](/john/6-63 "John 6:63 - The Spirit Gives Life")
* [Romans 10:17](/romans/10-17 "Romans 10:17 - Faith Comes by Hearing")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 5:3 offers profound insights for contemporary believers, challenging us to emulate Jesus' resourcefulness and adaptability in sharing the Gospel. Just as Jesus transformed a simple fishing boat into a pulpit, we are called to creatively utilize whatever "boats" or resources God has placed in our lives—our talents, our homes, our professions, our digital platforms—to make His truth known. This verse reminds us that the effectiveness of our witness is often less about grand platforms and more about our willingness to be available and adaptable for God's purposes. Furthermore, the scene emphasizes the paramount importance of hearing and receiving God's Word. The crowd pressed in, eager to hear; similarly, we are invited to cultivate a deep hunger for Scripture, recognizing that it is through His Word that Jesus continues to teach, transform, and call us to deeper discipleship. Our posture should be one of attentive listening, ready to obey whatever the Lord reveals, just as Simon's initial cooperation led to a life-altering encounter.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "boats" (resources, talents, platforms) has God given me that I can offer for His use in sharing the Gospel?**
* **How can I be more resourceful and adaptable in my approach to ministry and evangelism, rather than being limited by conventional methods?**
* **Am I cultivating a genuine hunger to hear and obey Jesus' teaching, just as the crowd eagerly pressed in?**
* **In what ways might God be preparing me for a deeper call to ministry or service through seemingly ordinary acts of obedience or cooperation?**

### FAQ

**Why did Jesus choose to teach from a boat instead of on land?**

Answer: Jesus chose to teach from a boat primarily for practical and acoustic reasons. As [Luke 5:1](/luke/5-1 "Luke 5:1 - Crowds Pressing on Jesus") indicates, the crowds were so large and pressing that it was difficult for Him to teach effectively from the shore. By entering Simon's boat and having it pushed a short distance from the land, Jesus created a natural barrier between Himself and the multitude, preventing them from crushing Him. More importantly, the water acted as a natural soundboard, allowing His voice to carry clearly and resonate across the surface to the entire crowd gathered on the bank, effectively turning the shoreline into an open-air amphitheater. This demonstrates Jesus' practical wisdom and His ability to adapt His methods to ensure His message was heard by as many people as possible.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 5:3, though a simple narrative of Jesus' teaching method, deeply resonates with His ultimate identity and mission as the Christ. Here, the Son of God, the very [Word made flesh](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"), demonstrates His divine authority not through earthly pomp, but through humble adaptability and profound teaching. His act of entering Simon's boat foreshadows His willingness to enter into the ordinary lives of humanity, sanctifying common spaces and transforming mundane tools for sacred purposes. As the ultimate Teacher, Jesus' instruction from the boat anticipates His entire ministry of proclaiming the [good news of the Kingdom](/luke/4-43 "Luke 4:43 - Preaching the Kingdom of God")—a message that would spread from the shores of Galilee to the ends of the earth. Moreover, His request to Simon, which leads to the miraculous catch of fish and the call to become "fishers of men" ([Luke 5:10](/luke/5-10 "Luke 5:10 - Fishers of Men")), beautifully illustrates Christ's transformative power: He calls ordinary people from their ordinary vocations to participate in His extraordinary mission. The boat, a symbol of Peter's livelihood, becomes a symbol of the Church, a vessel from which the Gospel is proclaimed, carrying the life-giving message of Christ to all who will listen, fulfilling His Great Commission to [make disciples of all nations](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19 - The Great Commission").

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

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 13:1

¶ The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side.

Matthew 13:2

And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.

John 8:2

And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.

John 1:41

He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.

John 1:42

And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.

Mark 4:1

¶ And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land.