Matthew 13:47
New International Version
“Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish.

New Living Translation
“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a fishing net that was thrown into the water and caught fish of every kind.

English Standard Version
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind.

Berean Standard Bible
Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was cast into the sea and caught all kinds of fish.

Berean Literal Bible
Again, the kingdom of the heavens is like a dragnet having been cast into the sea, and having gathered together of every kind,

King James Bible
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:

New King James Version
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind,

New American Standard Bible
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered fish of every kind;

NASB 1995
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea, and gathering fish of every kind;

NASB 1977
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea, and gathering fish of every kind;

Legacy Standard Bible
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea, and gathering fish of every kind;

Amplified Bible
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet which was lowered into the sea, and gathered fish of every kind,

Christian Standard Bible
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a large net thrown into the sea. It collected every kind of fish,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a large net thrown into the sea. It collected every kind of fish,

American Standard Version
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:

Contemporary English Version
The kingdom of heaven is like what happens when a net is thrown into a lake and catches all kinds of fish.

English Revised Version
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Also, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea. It gathered all kinds of fish.

Good News Translation
"Also, the Kingdom of heaven is like this. Some fishermen throw their net out in the lake and catch all kinds of fish.

International Standard Version
"Again, the kingdom from heaven is like a large net thrown into the sea that gathered all kinds of fish.

Majority Standard Bible
Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was cast into the sea and caught all kinds of fish.

NET Bible
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was cast into the sea that caught all kinds of fish.

New Heart English Bible
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet, that was cast into the sea, and gathered some fish of every kind,

Webster's Bible Translation
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:

Weymouth New Testament
"Again the Kingdom of the Heavens is like a draw-net let down into the sea, which encloses fish of all sorts.

World English Bible
“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some fish of every kind,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Again, the kingdom of the heavens is like to a net that was cast into the sea, and gathered together of every kind,

Berean Literal Bible
Again, the kingdom of the heavens is like a dragnet having been cast into the sea, and having gathered together of every kind,

Young's Literal Translation
'Again, the reign of the heavens is like to a net that was cast into the sea, and did gather together of every kind,

Smith's Literal Translation
Again, the kingdom of the heavens is like to a large sweep-net, cast into the sea, and having gathered of every kind:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Again the kingdom of heaven is like to a net cast into the sea, and gathering together of all kind of fishes.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net cast into the sea, which gathers together all kinds of fish.

New American Bible
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind.

New Revised Standard Version
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net which was thrown into the sea, and it gathered fish of every kind.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Again the Kingdom of Heaven is like a net that was cast into the sea, and it collected from every kind.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that is cast into the sea, and that gathers of every kind:

Godbey New Testament
Again, the kingdom of the heavens is like unto a net cast into the sea, and gathering of every kind;

Haweis New Testament
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like to a net cast into the sea, and colleting fish of every kind:

Mace New Testament
Again, the gospel-kingdom is like a net that is cast into the sea, and draws all sorts of fish:

Weymouth New Testament
"Again the Kingdom of the Heavens is like a draw-net let down into the sea, which encloses fish of all sorts.

Worrell New Testament
"Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a net, cast into the sea, and gathering of every kind;

Worsley New Testament
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net, that was cast into the sea, and inclosed fishes of various sorts;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Parable of the Net
46When he found one very precious pearl, he went away and sold all he had and bought it. 47Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was cast into the sea and caught all kinds of fish. 48When it was full, the men pulled it ashore. Then they sat down and sorted the good fish into containers, but threw the bad away.…

Cross References
Matthew 4:19
“Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”

Matthew 22:10
So the servants went out into the streets and gathered everyone they could find, both evil and good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.

Luke 5:4-7
When Jesus had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” / “Master,” Simon replied, “we have worked hard all night without catching anything. But because You say so, I will let down the nets.” / When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to tear. ...

John 21:6-11
He told them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it there, and they were unable to haul it in because of the great number of fish. / Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it) and jumped into the sea. / The other disciples came ashore in the boat. They dragged in the net full of fish, for they were not far from land, only about a hundred yards. ...

Revelation 14:15-19
Then another angel came out of the temple, crying out in a loud voice to the One seated on the cloud, “Swing Your sickle and reap, because the time has come to harvest, for the crop of the earth is ripe.” / So the One seated on the cloud swung His sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested. / Then another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle. ...

Ezekiel 47:9-10
Wherever the river flows, there will be swarms of living creatures and a great number of fish, because it flows there and makes the waters fresh; so wherever the river flows, everything will flourish. / Fishermen will stand by the shore; from En-gedi to En-eglaim they will spread their nets to catch fish of many kinds, like the fish of the Great Sea.

Jeremiah 16:16
But for now I will send for many fishermen, declares the LORD, and they will catch them. After that I will send for many hunters, and they will hunt them down on every mountain and hill, even from the clefts of the rocks.

Isaiah 19:8
Then the fishermen will mourn, all who cast a hook into the Nile will lament, and those who spread nets on the waters will pine away.

Habakkuk 1:14-15
You have made men like the fish of the sea, like creeping things that have no ruler. / The foe pulls all of them up with a hook; he catches them in his dragnet, and gathers them in his fishing net; so he rejoices gladly.

Amos 4:2
The Lord GOD has sworn by His holiness: “Behold, the days are coming when you will be taken away with hooks, and your posterity with fishhooks.

Matthew 25:32
All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

Matthew 24:31
And He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

2 Corinthians 5:10
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad.

Romans 14:10
Why, then, do you judge your brother? Or why do you belittle your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.

Revelation 20:12-13
And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne. And books were opened, and one of them was the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their deeds, as recorded in the books. / The sea gave up its dead, and Death and Hades gave up their dead, and each one was judged according to his deeds.


Treasury of Scripture

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like to a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:

a net.

Matthew 4:19
And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

Mark 1:17
And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.

Luke 5:10
And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.

and gathered.

Matthew 13:26-30
But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also…

Matthew 22:9,10
Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage…

Matthew 25:1-4
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom…

Jump to Previous
Cast Caught Dragnet Encloses Fish Gather Gathered Gathering Heaven Heavens Kind Kinds Kingdom Lake Net Once Reign Sea Seine Sorts Thrown Together
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Cast Caught Dragnet Encloses Fish Gather Gathered Gathering Heaven Heavens Kind Kinds Kingdom Lake Net Once Reign Sea Seine Sorts Thrown Together
Matthew 13
1. The parable of the sower and the seed;
18. the explanation of it.
24. The parable of the weeds;
31. of the mustard seed;
33. of the leaven;
36. explanation of the parable of the weeds.
44. The parable of the hidden treasure;
45. of the pearl;
47. of the drag net cast into the sea.
53. Jesus is a prophet without honor in his own country.














Once again
This phrase indicates a continuation or repetition of a theme. In the context of Matthew 13, Jesus is delivering a series of parables about the kingdom of heaven. The repetition underscores the importance of these teachings and the multifaceted nature of the kingdom. It suggests that the truths of the kingdom are so profound that they require multiple illustrations to be fully grasped.

the kingdom of heaven
This phrase is central to Jesus' teachings and is synonymous with the reign and rule of God. In Greek, "basileia" (kingdom) implies not just a physical realm but the authority and sovereignty of God. The "kingdom of heaven" is a spiritual realm where God's will is fulfilled, and it is both a present reality and a future hope for believers. It calls Christians to live under God's rule now, anticipating its full realization in the future.

is like
This phrase introduces a simile, a common teaching method used by Jesus. By comparing the kingdom of heaven to familiar concepts, Jesus makes complex spiritual truths more accessible. The use of similes and parables invites listeners to engage their imagination and reflect deeply on the meaning behind the imagery.

a dragnet
A dragnet is a large fishing net that is drawn through the water to catch fish. In the historical context of first-century Palestine, fishing was a common occupation, and the image of a dragnet would be familiar to Jesus' audience. The dragnet symbolizes the comprehensive and inclusive nature of God's kingdom, which gathers people from all walks of life.

that was cast into the sea
The act of casting the net into the sea represents the active and intentional outreach of the kingdom. The sea, often a symbol of chaos and the unknown, signifies the world. The kingdom of heaven is not passive; it reaches into the world, seeking to draw people into its fold.

and caught fish of every kind
This phrase highlights the diversity and inclusivity of the kingdom. The Greek word for "kind" (genos) suggests different types or categories. The kingdom of heaven is open to all, regardless of background, ethnicity, or social status. This inclusivity reflects the heart of God, who desires that none should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). It challenges believers to embrace diversity and extend the message of the gospel to all people.

(47) The kingdom of heaven is like unto a net.--The net in this case is not the hand-net of Matthew 4:18, but the sagene, or great drag-net, which drew in a larger haul of fishes. The day's teaching in the method of parables ends, as it were, in an easy lesson, which the former experience of the disciples would enable them to understand. Still, as in the parable of the Tares, the main thoughts are, (1) the mingling of the evil with the good in the visible kingdom of Christ on earth, and (2) the ultimate separation of the two, that each may receive according to the divine law of retribution. Here, as there, the parable perforce passes over the fact that in the actual work of the kingdom the very casting of the net may change, and is meant to change, the nature of the fish that are taken in its meshes, and, therefore, that those that remain "bad" are so in the end by the result of their own will.

Verses 47-50. - The parable of the dragnet. This parable at once recalls that of the tares, but it will be noticed that there our Lord's aim is to inculcate patience and hopefulness on the part of his servants when they realize the close proximity of the ungodly even in districts won over to the faith, while here his aim is rather to warn. To be in the kingdom is not enough; some of those now within it may nevertheless be cast out. It thus greatly resembles the parable of the ten virgins; save that in that parable greater stress is laid on personal preparation and continued watchfulness; in this, on personal worth. Verse 47. - Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net (σαγήνῃ: Matthew 4:18, note), that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind. (For the thought, cf. Matthew 22:10; and for the word, συνάγειν, ver. 30, note.)

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Once again,
Πάλιν (Palin)
Adverb
Strong's 3825: Probably from the same as pale; anew, i.e. back, once more, or furthermore or on the other hand.

the
(hē)
Article - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

kingdom
βασιλεία (basileia)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 932: From basileus; properly, royalty, i.e. rule, or a realm.

of
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

heaven
οὐρανῶν (ouranōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3772: Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel.

is
ἐστὶν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

like
ὁμοία (homoia)
Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3664: Like, similar to, resembling, of equal rank. From the base of homou; similar.

a dragnet
σαγήνῃ (sagēnē)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4522: A fishing-net. From a derivative of satto meaning furniture, especially a pack-saddle; a 'seine' for fishing.

that was cast
βληθείσῃ (blētheisē)
Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 906: (a) I cast, throw, rush, (b) often, in the weaker sense: I place, put, drop. A primary verb; to throw.

into
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

sea
θάλασσαν (thalassan)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2281: Probably prolonged from hals; the sea.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

caught [fish]
συναγαγούσῃ (synagagousē)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4863: From sun and ago; to lead together, i.e. Collect or convene; specially, to entertain.

of
ἐκ (ek)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

every
παντὸς (pantos)
Adjective - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

kind.
γένους (genous)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 1085: Offspring, family, race, nation, kind. From ginomai; 'kin'.


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