Luke 5: "Come, Follow Me"

New Testament: Student Study guide, (2003), 57–58

One important part of the Savior’s mission was to establish the kingdom of God on earth. Jesus Christ called men whom He could trust to lead the Church after His resurrection and ascension into heaven. These men became the twelve Apostles. Jesus spent much time instructing and preparing His Apostles for their important role. Luke 5 tells how some of those men were called to follow Jesus.

Understanding the Scriptures

Luke 5

Lake of Gennesaret (v. 1)Sea of Galilee 
Pressed upon (v. 1)Crowded around 
Draught (vv. 4, 9)Catch 
Toiled (v. 5)Worked 
Taken with a palsy (v. 18)Paralyzed, physically disabled 
Blasphemies (v. 21)Speaking evil of holy and sacred things 
Levi (v. 27)Another name for Matthew 
Receipt of custom (v. 27)A table where people paid taxes 
Bridegroom (v. 34)A man who is being married; it is also a title for Jesus Christ 
Maketh a rent (v. 36)Will tear 
Straightway (v. 39)Immediately 

Luke 5:36–39—Why Not Patch Old Clothes with New Material or Put New Wine in Old Bottles?

Washing and wearing clothes causes them to shrink. Patching old clothes with new material not yet shrunk causes the clothes to tear when the patch material shrinks.

In New Testament times wine was stored in bottles made from animal skins. Those leather bags were often called wineskins. Over time, those skins would become dry and brittle and could crack or spilt easily. New wine underwent a fermenting process, which naturally caused the liquid to expand. If new wine was put in an old bottle, the fermenting would cause the old wineskin to stretch and burst.


The following questions by Elder Bruce R. McConkie, who was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, help explain these two parables: “What, new baptism in an old church, new revelation in a dying kingdom, new doctrine in an apostate organization! Could Jesus add Christian ordinances, with their spirit and power, to the dead formalism and ritual of the Mosaic procedures?” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 1:186).

Studying the Scriptures

Do one of the following activities (A or B) as you study Luke 5.

Activity A iconGive Some Advice

Imagine you were one of the people on Peter’s boat in the story in Luke 5:1–11. It is a few years later and a friend has come to you discouraged because a person he or she has been trying to help become active in the Church for almost a year has still not attended any Church meetings. Write how you might encourage your friend by retelling the story in Luke 5:1–11, explaining what you learned from it and applying it to his or her situation.

Activity B iconIf You Were There

Imagine you witnessed the healing of the man in the story in Luke 5:18–26 and then attended the feast described in verses 27–32. Write what you would have written to a friend about those events. Include what you learned about Jesus and His ministry and how your life would be different because of your experience.