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Significance of 153?
YellowStone:
Hi Everyone :)
I have spent a few minutes Googling John 21:11 trying to find the significance behind the 153 caught fish. I found so many answers that I soon realized that not one of them had any clear understanding. :)
Perhaps the most common belief is that Jerome wrote that there were 153 distinct breeds of fish believed at the time and that number represented that being "fishes" of men, the apostles would preach to all races of people.
Another idea is the the number 153 is very significant in Pythagoras's theorem and that even Plato supported it. I have included the link for any so mathematical minded :) It is very interesting.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catch_of_153_fish
Of course there were mathematical calculations dividing the number, adding and subtracting, ect to have it mean anything they wanted. Oh and that by stating an exact number, was proof that John was there and witnessed it. :)
My NIV study Bible doesn't even mention `153 ' in the notes. ::)
So unless Ray has written anything to the contrary, I think Gena's explanation sounds about right :)
Great question though,
Darren
Kent:
5 Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.
6 And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.
7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.
8 And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes.
9 As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.
10 Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.
11 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.
12 Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.
Maybe look at it in context?
It sounds to me like they are just documenting a huge number of fish caught in 1 net, because Christ told them where to cast it.
skydreamers:
Hi Alex,
This is merely a thought that came to me:
1 = God
5 = Grace
3 = Completed Process
Joh 21:6
(6) He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish.
Joh 21:11
(11) So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn.
(all men shall be saved...)
God's work of grace will be completed towards all men....there is room enough for everyone!
I have read some studies on what these numbers possibly mean individually so when I read this post this is what I saw. I could be completely off of course, but just going with my gut and posting it anyway in case anyone has seen the same thing....
Peace,
Diana
Kent:
I believe I see what you're saying. It's another spiritual principle behind this physical action.
I need to remember to look for principles like this.
The way you use numbers is new to me, but the full unbroken net makes sense as an unspoken (for lack of a better term) parable.
DWIGHT:
Hi Diana,
You are absolutely right on. The fish are men, the right side is where God's power and strength reside. The left side is where the goats who are rejected in this age, still swim in the blindness of Babylon.
And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Matt. 25:32-33
I think you're right on the numbers too.
One....One God...one Son....one body...unity
Five....God's chastening grace. See the numbers of the temple all divisible into five's.
Three..the process of spiritual maturity and perfection in Christ.
And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected. Luke 13:32
Kent, all of God's words are spirit. We must ask the Lord to reveal to us the spirit of the word, because the letter killeth but the spirit giveth life. There is spirit behind every letter, name, number, story and parable in the scriptures. I hope this helps a little brother, but don't be discouraged because you don't see it right away...if you ask,it will be give you, if you seek, you will find, and if you knock, it shall be opened unto you. These are promises made by the Lord Himself. ;)
In Him,
Dwight
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