Parable · Matthew 13:47-50
The Dragnet
A net catches every kind of fish. The sorting happens on the shore, at the end.
Also called The Net, The Fish
The point
The sorting is not the fishermen job, and it does not happen while the net is still out.
47Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was cast into the sea and caught all kinds of fish.
48When it was full, the men pulled it ashore. Then they sat down and sorted the good fish into containers, but threw the bad away.
49So will it be at the end of the age: The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous,
50and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Berean Standard Bible, public domain. Read the whole chapter
Using this at church
Read in church on
- Lectionary 17 Year AGospel, Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52
For a newsletter or sermon notes
The parable of the Dragnet, explained in plain words. A net catches every kind of fish. The sorting comes at the end. https://freescripture.org/parables/the-net/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church
More on what the kingdom is like
The Sower Seed falls on a path, on rock, among thorns, and on good soil. Only one yields.The Mustard Seed The smallest seed grows into a shrub large enough for birds to nest in.The Yeast A woman mixes yeast into a large batch of flour until it works all the way through.The Hidden Treasure A man finds treasure buried in a field, and sells everything he has to buy that field.