Paragraph 13:47–50

The parable of the net in this paragraph has a similar meaning to the parable of the weeds. In both parables, Jesus told us that good and bad people will live together for a while. But in the end, the angels will separate them.

13:47a

Once again: The words Once again introduce another parable about the kingdom of heaven. This same word occurs in 13:45a. You should translate it here as you did there. For example:

Also (Good News Translation)

the kingdom of heaven is like a net: This clause is a simile. It compares the kingdom of heaven/God to a fishing net. The point of similarity in this comparison is that both are spread over a variety of things. A net catches a variety of fish. The message of the kingdom will be preached to a variety of people both good and bad.

net: This net was a large net that fishermen used to catch fish. It required at least two people to use. It had floats along the top and weights along the bottom. They spread the net in the water and then pulled it to the shore or a boat.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

fish net
-or-
dragnet

13:47b

that was cast into the sea: The net was cast so that it spread out before falling into the water. This is the normal way to put this type of net into the water. Be sure not to use a word that implies that the fishermen threw their nets away.

The verb was cast is passive. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

that was let down into the lake (New International Version)
-or-
that was put into the lake (New Century Version)

• Use an active verb. For example:

Some fishermen throw their net out in the lake (Good News Translation)

the sea: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as sea here is a general word that can also be translated as “lake” (as in the New International Version). The English word “sea” often implies salt water. But the Greek word can refer to a freshwater lake.

caught all kinds of fish: In this context, the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as caught refers to catching fish. For example:

caught all kinds of fish (New International Version)

-or-

caught many different kinds of fish (New Century Version)

In the parable, this phrase refers to the message of the kingdom being broadcast to both good and bad people.

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