Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken.
Parallel translations
- WEB Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land, full of great fish, one hundred fifty-three; and even though there were so many, the net wasn’t torn.
- KJV 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.
- BSB So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many, the net was not torn.
- NASB So Simon Peter went up and hauled the net to land, full of large fish, 153; and although there were so many, the net was not torn.
- NLT So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore. There were 153 large fish, and yet the net hadn’t torn.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Peter hauls the net ashore with 153 large fish, and the net is not torn. It matters because the eyewitness detail underscores the miracle's reality and abundance.
Overview
The precise count of 153 fish reflects a firsthand memory of an astonishing catch, and the unbroken net signals the completeness of the Lord's provision. Many interpreters have offered symbolic readings of the number, but Scripture does not explain it, and faithful readers differ. What is clear is the abundance Christ supplies and the security of the catch. The scene quietly anticipates a fruitful gathering of many through the disciples' mission.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 2
- Luke 5:6–8When they had done this, they caught a great multitude of fish, and their net was breaking.
- Acts 2:41Then those who gladly received his word were baptized. There were added that day about three thousand souls.
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Christ at the center
John declares him plainly: the eternal Word made flesh, the Lamb of God, the great 'I AM' — bread, light, door, shepherd, way, truth, life, resurrection — that you may believe and have life in his name.
How John 21:11 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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