In John 21:11 it says "Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken." Why 153, and why would someone count them?
2007-10-12 18:15:50 · 7 answers · asked by Virginia B (John 16:33) 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
In Luke 5:4-6 Simon & others had been fishing all night & had caught nothing. Jesus told him to "launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a draught." A great multitude of fish were caught and their net broke.
In John 21:11, the net did not break with only 153 fish.
2007-10-12 19:07:34 · update #1
Here is an interesting link to trivia on the number 153. Very good of you to notice that.
2007-10-12 19:05:30 · answer #1 · answered by Rockford 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, the verse says "great fishes", so I would take that to mean that the fish were very large. Perhaps 153 very large fish would have normally broken a net.
Also, perhaps the counted fish (153) is given as a specific so that skeptics couldn't discount the story as just a vague tale.
Just my thoughts.
God bless.
2007-10-13 10:54:05 · answer #2 · answered by Faye 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many fanciful theories but no one can know for sure if there is special significance in 153. I'm sure all fisherman of that day counted their catch regularly just like we would today.
Are you familiar with the account of Jesus telling a dsiciple to look inside the mouth of a fish that he had caught where he would find a gold coin to pay their taxes?
I always wondered whether Jesus knew the fish had swallowed it sometime before or whether Jesus had put it there Himself.
Fascinating!
Mat 17:24 ¶ And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute [money] came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?
Mat 17:25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?
Mat 17:26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.
Mat 17:27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
2007-10-13 01:21:52 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you went out fishing all day and caught absolutly nothing and all of a sudden a man came to you (who they realize is the LORD) and told you to cast out your net in a certain area and hauled back a rediculous number of fish without the net breaking, wouldn't you be impressed and amazed? I bet most men out there would be boasting and celebrating - count them all and return to their families and friends and tell them of their good luck. Also, in those days they sold their catch for profit to buy other things that they needed at the time - such as bread and clothing. They would need to count them for trade. It's their form of merchaindise for profit, just like commercial fisherman of today would count their catch.
As far as 153 - I doubt that number has any spiritual significance, it just so happened to be the number.
2007-10-13 01:25:13 · answer #4 · answered by Lynn 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
1+5+3=9
All roads lead to Hell.
Hahahaha
2007-10-13 01:30:48 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
hmm 153.... well 5 + 3 = 8.... then 15 + 8 = "23".... OMG ITS TRUE!!!!
2007-10-13 01:29:58 · answer #6 · answered by Shinibe 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I'm just here to learn and gain strength so I have no idea.
xxx
2007-10-13 01:37:09 · answer #7 · answered by Shel 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋