So Simon Peter went aboard and pulled the net to shore. It was full of large fish, 153, but although there were so many, the net was not torn.
John 21:11 NET
The gospels record two instances of the disciples fishing all night but catching nothing. Until, in response to Jesus’ instruction, they tried one last time. And both times, they ended up with a full net.
The first of these is found in Luke 5:4-7. This account is at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry while calling his disciples. Peter and his partners had fished all night but caught nothing. But they obeyed Jesus and cast the nets out one more time. And caught so many fish the boats began to sink and the nets to tear. Jesus then called them to follow him and he would make them fishers of men.
John 21:3-6 records an event at the other end of Jesus’ ministry. After Jesus’ resurrection, his disciples had gone to Galilee and decided to go fishing. That night, they caught nothing. But early in the morning, Jesus called them from the shore and told them to try again. They did and could not pull all of the fish into the boat. Yet their net was not torn.
There is much speculation concerning the 153 fish. But what I find most intriguing about this is the comment that the net was not torn. Why did John include this detail in this account?
Could this story be a foretaste of what would come at Pentecost and beyond? As fishers of men, they would throw out their nets (the gospel) and experience a great catch—a catch of men and women of all nations and tribes. And the net would not be torn. The gospel is sufficient to bring in all who believe.
Never be “ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes” (Rom. 1:16).
