Topical Bible: Fish: Caught with Nets

◄ Fish: Caught with Nets ►

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In biblical times, fishing was a common occupation, particularly in regions surrounding the Sea of Galilee. The use of nets for catching fish is frequently mentioned in the Bible, symbolizing both the livelihood of many and the spiritual lessons taught by Jesus Christ.

Old Testament References

The practice of fishing with nets is alluded to in the Old Testament, though not as prominently as in the New Testament. In Habakkuk 1:15, the prophet describes the Chaldeans as fishermen who "catch them all with a hook, they drag them away with a net, and gather them in their fishing net." This imagery is used to depict the Chaldeans' conquest and capture of nations, illustrating the power and effectiveness of their military campaigns.

New Testament References

The New Testament provides a more detailed account of fishing with nets, particularly in the Gospels. The Sea of Galilee, a freshwater lake in northern Israel, was a hub for fishing activities. Many of Jesus' disciples, including Peter, Andrew, James, and John, were fishermen by trade, and their encounters with Jesus often involved fishing.

1. Calling of the Disciples: In Matthew 4:18-20 , Jesus calls Simon Peter and his brother Andrew while they are casting a net into the sea. He says to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." This call signifies a transformation from their earthly occupation to a spiritual mission, using the metaphor of fishing to describe the gathering of souls into the kingdom of God.

2. Miraculous Catch of Fish: In Luke 5:4-7 , Jesus instructs Simon Peter to "put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch." Despite their previous unsuccessful attempts, they obey and catch such a large number of fish that their nets begin to tear. This miracle demonstrates Jesus' divine authority and serves as a catalyst for Peter's recognition of his own sinfulness and Jesus' holiness.

3. Parable of the Net: In Matthew 13:47-50 , Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a net that is cast into the sea and gathers fish of every kind. When the net is full, the fishermen sort the good fish into containers and throw away the bad. This parable illustrates the final judgment, where the righteous will be separated from the wicked.

4. Post-Resurrection Appearance: In John 21:6 , after His resurrection, Jesus appears to His disciples by the Sea of Galilee. He instructs them to cast their net on the right side of the boat, resulting in a miraculous catch of 153 large fish. This event reaffirms Jesus' identity and His continued provision for His followers.

Symbolism and Spiritual Lessons

Fishing with nets in the Bible is rich with symbolism. It represents the gathering of people into the faith, the call to discipleship, and the mission of evangelism. The imagery of nets also conveys the idea of God's kingdom encompassing a diverse multitude, with a final sorting that reflects divine judgment.

The use of nets underscores the communal and cooperative nature of the disciples' mission. Just as fishermen work together to haul in their catch, believers are called to work in unity to spread the Gospel. The miraculous catches of fish serve as reminders of God's power and the abundant spiritual harvest that awaits those who follow Christ's call.

Nave's Topical Index

Ecclesiastes 9:12
For man also knows not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falls suddenly on them.
Nave's Topical Index

Habakkuk 1:1
The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

John Chapter xxi. 12-19.
... Himself, and for all they were so large, yet were not the nets broken. ... For this reason
is it said, "Bring of the fish which ye have now caught," that all of ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate cxxiii john chapter xxi.htm

The Lord's Last Days with his Disciples.
... Perhaps John remembered another day on the Lake when the nets broke with the weight
of the fishes, and ... "Bring of the fish ye have now caught," He said. ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xlvi the lords last.htm

Instructions for Fishermen
... to get the sleep out of them, they just bundled the nets into the ... on the shore there,
they were bidden to bring of the fish that they had caught, and when ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/instructions for fishermen.htm

John Chapter xx. 30-31, and xxi. 1-11.
... when He gave orders for the taking of the fish, but "entered ... out into the deep, and
let down your nets for a ... also they put the fishes that were caught into the ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate cxxii john chapter xx.htm

Gallus, Apostle of Switzerland.
... He caused all the nets to be brought together; his people used them in the
right way, and caught three hundred fish of various kinds. ...
/.../neander/light in the dark places/gallus apostle of switzerland.htm

Appearance at Sea of Galilee.
... He who could so fill their nets could also provide for His own wants. ... He directs
them, therefore, to bring of the fish they had caught. ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol ii/xxiv appearance at sea of.htm

The Story of the Stranger at the Well
... "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets to catch some fish.". [Illustration:
The net caught so many fishes they could not pull it up]. ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of the stranger.htm

October 20, 1893
... small fish, perhaps our Divine Master would not have worked a miracle; but he had
caught nothing, and so through the power and goodness of God his nets were ...
//christianbookshelf.org/therese/story of a soul/xvii october 20 1893.htm

Christ among the Common Things of Life
... We have the boat and the nets, all this elaborate organization of the Church, but
have we caught anything this ... You will never catch many fish if you stand upon ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume 10/dawson christ among the.htm

Jesus Calls Four Fishermen to Follow Him.
... waters are fresh, clear and abounding in fish, and it ... New Testament speaks of three
kinds of nets, viz.: the ... water, so that it spread out and caught, by sinking ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xxx jesus calls four fishermen.htm