Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 5:1

"Now 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;" — Luke 5:1 (ASV)

Luke begins this story mentioning the pressure of the crowds, as he occasionally does elsewhere (8:42, 45; 19:3). Their attention is on the “word of God” spoken by Jesus. The shore of the lake provided an excellent, acoustically serviceable amphitheater. Luke, being observant of detail, draws our attention to two boats, and then singles out Simon as the owner of one of them. Jesus gets into the boat and again teaches, his voice carrying across the water to the crowds.