Bible Strands
Luke 5:11
And when they had brought their boats ashore, they left everything and followed Him.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The narrative records Simon Peter, James, and John hauling their vessels to shore immediately after Jesus commands them to become fishers of men. The moment captures their physical response to His prior instruction while still on the lake.
The words — The aorist particulate ἀφέντες (aphentes) translates literally to "having left," paired with καταγαγόντες (katagagontes) meaning "having brought." These forms mark the action as completed and decisive at the moment of narration.
The thread — This sequence of abandoning occupation to follow Jesus appears in Matthew 4:20 and is later referenced by Peter in Luke 18:28 and Matthew 19:27. The texts track the disciples' repeated acknowledgment of what discipleship requires.
Why it lands — The text demands a tangible renunciation of prior livelihood before continuing with the teacher. It requires the reader to evaluate whether their current commitments allow immediate, unhesitating obedience to a direct call.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.
Cross-references
- Matthew 4:20 And at once they left their nets and followed Him.
- Luke 18:28 “Look,” said Peter, “we have left all we had to follow You.”
- Matthew 19:27 “Look,” Peter replied, “we have left everything to follow You. What then will there be for us?”
- Mark 10:21 Jesus looked at him, loved him, and said to him, “There is one thing you lack: Go, sell everything you own and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”
- Luke 5:28 and Levi got up, left everything, and followed Him.
- Mark 1:18 And at once they left their nets and followed Him.
- Philippians 3:7 But whatever was gain to me I count as loss for the sake of Christ.
- Matthew 10:37 Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me;
- Mark 10:29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for My sake and for the gospel