Bible Strands
Matthew 13:47
Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was cast into the sea and caught all kinds of fish.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses a gathered crowd in Matthew 13, continuing His series of kingdom illustrations immediately after the parable of the pearl.
The words — σαγήνῃ (sagēnē) refers to a dragnet that sweeps and holds everything in its path, while ὁμοία (homoia) frames the statement as a direct comparison.
The thread — The immediate context in Matthew 13:48 shows the net being hauled ashore for sorting, and Matthew 22:9 parallels this gathering motif by commanding the invitation of people from the crossroads.
Why it lands — The text states the net catches all kinds of fish before any sorting occurs, requiring the reader to acknowledge the kingdom's present inclusive gathering and its subsequent separation.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:
Cross-references
- John 15:6 If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers. Such branches are gathered up, thrown into the fire, and burned.
- 2 Timothy 3:2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,
- Matthew 22:9 Go therefore to the crossroads and invite to the banquet as many as you can find.’
- Mark 1:17 “Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”
- 2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires.
- 1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.
- Matthew 13:26 When the wheat sprouted and bore grain, then the weeds also appeared.
- 1 Corinthians 10:1 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud, and that they all passed through the sea.
- 2 Corinthians 12:20 For I am afraid that when I come, I may not find you as I wish, and you may not find me as you wish. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, rage, rivalry, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder.
- Titus 1:9 He must hold firmly to the faithful word as it was taught, so that he can encourage others by sound teaching and refute those who contradict it.