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Luke 5:2

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Luke 5:2 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “and he saw two boats standing by the lake: but the fishermen had gone out of them, and were washing their nets.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

and he saw two boats standing by the lake: but the fishermen had gone out of them, and were washing their nets.
Luke 5:2 — American Standard Version

Context — Luke 5

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1Now 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;
2and he saw two boats standing by the lake: but the fishermen had gone out of them, and were washing their nets.
3And 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.
4And when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Put out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
5And Simon answered and said, Master, we toiled all night, and took nothing: but at thy word I will let down the nets.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And saw two ships standing by the lake, etc.] Or two fishing boats; which were, as the Arabic version renders it, “detained by anchors at the shore of the lake”; the one belonging to Peter and Andrew, and the other to Zebedee, and his two sons, James and John: but the fishermen were gone out of them; that is, either the above persons, or their servants: and were washing their nets; on shore; they having gathered a great deal of soil and filthiness, but had caught no fish; and therefore were cleansing their nets, in order to lay them up, finding it to be in vain to make any further attempts with them at present; and which considered, makes the following miracle the more illustrious.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Two ships - The ships used on so small a lake were probably no more than fishing-boats without decks, and easily drawn up on the beach. Josephus says there were 230 of them on the lake, attended by four or five men each. That they were small is also clear from the account commonly given of them. A single large draught of fishes endangered them and came near sinking them. Standing by the lake - Anchored by the lake, or drawn up upon the beach. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“washing: Mat 4:21; Mar 1:19 Luke 5:3”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification