Parable of the Net

• BACK TO THE EVENTS--INDEX

The Parable of the Net was one of the Parables of Jesus, according to the Gospels of Matthew (17:47-50), and Thomas (8).

Overview

In Matthew the parable is about dividing the good from the evil. It is a moral teaching for people, applied in particular to God's behavior in the Last Jugdment, when God will separate the righteous from the sinners.

Thomas shifts the emphasis on the choice of the fisherman who picks up the big fish, the charismatic leader of the Thomasine community.

Parable of the Net, in ancient sources

Gospel of Matthew

Matthew 13:47-50 (NRSV) -- 47 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; 48 when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. 49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous 50 and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Gospel of Thomas

Thomas 8 -- Then he says: "A man is like a skilled fisherman who cast his net into the sea. He brought it up out of the sea full of little fishes, and among them the skilled fisherman found one that was big and excellent. He threw all the little fishes back into the sea; without hesitating he chose the big fish. He who was ears to hear, let him hear!"

External links

• [ Wikipedia]