Parables De-Mystified: The Parable of the Net

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. So it will be at the end of the age: the angels will come and separate the wicked from among the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” — Matthew 13:47–50

1. This Parable Was Told to Fishermen

Jesus told this parable in Galilee, where fishing wasn’t just a hobby, it was an entire way of life. His listeners understood exactly what it meant to throw out a dragnet.

This wasn’t a little hand net. A dragnet was massive, stretched between boats or anchored at the shore, gathering everything in its path; valuable fish and junk alike. It wasn’t selective. It caught EVERYTHING!

This image immediately told His audience one thing: the kingdom gathers widely.

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2. Everyone Gets Caught in the Net

This is key. Jesus didn’t say the net caught only the “good fish.” It caught fish of every kind.

The net represents the broad reach of God’s kingdom… the preaching of the gospel to the nations. In other words, proximity to the net doesn’t equal belonging to the kingdom. Everyone gets swept in, but not everyone remains.

That’s a sobering thought (or at least it should be), especially for people who think association equals transformation.