Dragnet (Matthew 13:47-50)

Submitted by admin on Mon, 2008-02-04 11:59.

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Jesus likened the “kingdom of the heavens” to a dragnet cast into the sea and by means of which fish of all kinds are caught. When the net is full, the fishermen pull the net ashore and, after seating themselves, select all the fish suitable for food. According to the Mosaic law, only fish with fins and scales could be eaten, and these would be put into containers. The rest of the catch would be discarded. (Matthew 13:47, 48)

Commenting on the parable, Jesus repeated points he had made when explaining to his disciples the parable about the weeds and the wheat. At the “end of the age,” which would be the time for the execution of divine judgment, the angels would separate the wicked from the upright. The dreadful judgment to befall the wicked is compared to their being tossed into a “fiery furnace.” The realization of their great loss would cause them to weep and to gnash their teeth in an attempt to hold back their tears of bitter grief. (Matthew 13:49, 50)

The parable indicates that the means or the instrument through which individuals may come to know about the “kingdom of the heavens” would, like a dragnet, gather both true and false believers. Not all professing to believe in the Son would prove to be his disciples, persons who had ceased to be part of the world alienated from his Father and who were doing his will. At the “end of the age,” the angels would be used to identify those who truly belonged to God’s realm and who would then share in all the blessings associated with being found divinely approved.