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The Parable of the Dragnet (Matthew 13:47–50)

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea, and gathering fish of every kind; and when it was filled, they drew it up on the beach; and they sat down and gathered the good fish into containers, but the bad they threw away. So it will be at the end of the age; the angels will come forth and take out the wicked from among the righteous, and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

(Matthew 13:47–50, NASB)

The Parable of the Dragnet, or the Parable of the Net, is a story told by Jesus in Matthew 13:47–50 to illustrate an aspect of the kingdom of heaven. In this parable, Jesus speaks about a group of fishermen who use a dragnet to collect fish from the sea and then sort the fish into good and bad.

Context of the Parable of the Dragnet

Jesus prefaces the parable by saying that it illustrates an aspect of the kingdom of heaven. The story concerns fishermen using a dragnet, a weighted net dragged along the bottom of a body of water to collect an assortment of fish.

Meaning of the Parable of the Dragnet

In the parable, the dragnet is cast into the sea and pulled onto a shore full of all kinds of fish. Then the fishermen sat down to the business of sorting the fish into the “good” and the “bad.” The fish worth keeping were gathered into containers, but the rest were tossed away.

Jesus then explained the parable to His disciples: “So it will be at the end of the age; the angels will come forth and take out the wicked from among the righteous, and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 13:49–50, NASB).

This parable is similar to the Parable of the Weeds (Matthew 13:36–43). Both parables concern an end-times sorting, aided by angels, when believers will be separated from unbelievers once and for all.

Lessons from the Parable of the Dragnet

  1. The gospel message is spread into the world, drawing many people to it, just like the net was cast into the sea drawing many fish.
  2. The gospel attracts many people who neither repent nor desire to follow Christ, just as the net gathered all types of fish, regardless of their value.
  3. False believers masquerading as true Christians will not be made known until the end of the age, just as the fish could not be sorted until the net was pulled ashore.
  4. The “bad fish” or false believers, who claim to have a relationship with Jesus, will be cast into hell, as Jesus will reply “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.” (Matthew 7:23, NASB).
  5. The main point of the parable is that a day of reckoning will come in which God will separate the true believers from mere pretenders, and those found to be false will be cast into hell.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Parable of the Dragnet about?

The Parable of the Dragnet is about a group of fishermen who use a dragnet to collect fish from the sea and then sort the fish into good and bad. It is a story told by Jesus to illustrate an aspect of the kingdom of heaven and concerns an end-times sorting when believers will be separated from unbelievers once and for all.

Who is the Parable of the Dragnet aimed at?

The Parable of the Dragnet is aimed at Jesus’ disciples and all believers. It is a warning to all who claim to have a relationship with Jesus, to be careful and make sure they are truly following Him, as a day of reckoning will come when God will separate the true believers from mere pretenders.

What is the main message of the Parable of the Dragnet?

The main message of the Parable of the Dragnet is that a day of reckoning will come in which God will separate the true believers from mere pretenders, and those found to be false will be cast into hell. The gospel message is spread into the world, drawing many people to it, but not all of these people are truly following Jesus. It is important for believers to be diligent in their faith and to make sure they are not merely pretending to follow Jesus.

What is the significance of the dragnet in the Parable of the Dragnet?

The dragnet in the Parable of the Dragnet represents the gospel message being spread into the world, drawing many people to it. Just like the dragnet gathers all types of fish, regardless of their value, so the gospel attracts many people who neither repent nor desire to follow Christ. The dragnet is significant because it represents the fact that not everyone who hears the gospel message will truly follow Jesus.

What is the meaning of the sorting of the fish in the Parable of the Dragnet?

The sorting of the fish in the Parable of the Dragnet represents the end-times sorting when believers will be separated from unbelievers once and for all, aided by angels. The sorting of the fish shows that there will come a time when all those who claim to follow Jesus will be judged, and those found to be false will be cast into hell.

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