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    End Times

    What Is the Parable of the Net?

    What Is the Parable of the Net? Jesus compared the kingdom of heaven to a net cast into the sea that gathered fish of every kind—at the end, the good are kept and the bad are cast away.

    Key verse: Matthew 13:47 (KJV)

    Jesus compared the kingdom of heaven to a net cast into the sea that gathered fish of every kind—at the end, the good are kept and the bad are cast away.

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    Quick Answer

    Jesus compared the kingdom of heaven to a net cast into the sea that gathered fish of every kind—at the end, the good are kept and the bad are cast away.

    "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind." — Matthew 13:47 (KJV)

    The Biblical Answer

    In Matthew 13:47-50, Jesus told of a dragnet cast into the sea that caught fish of every kind. When it was full, fishermen pulled it to shore, sat down, and sorted the good fish into vessels while throwing the bad away. Jesus explained: 'So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire.' Like the parable of the wheat and tares, this parable teaches that good and evil coexist in this age but will be separated at the final judgment. It warns against complacency and encourages genuine faith.

    Key Scripture References

    "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind."
    "So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just."

    Frequently asked questions

    Frequently asked questions

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    Deep Dive Commentary

    For a more in-depth study, read our verse-by-verse commentary:

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    Read it in context

    The answer above sits inside Matthew. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.

    Read Matthew on day 284 of the chronological Bible reading plan

    Keep the verses to hand

    Every verse quoted in “What Is the Parable of the Net?” comes from the King James Version, free to download and print.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    In Matthew 13:47-50, Jesus told of a dragnet cast into the sea that caught fish of every kind. When it was full, fishermen pulled it to shore, sat down, and sorted the good fish into vessels while throwing the bad away. Jesus explained: 'So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire.' Like the parable of the wheat and tares, this parable teaches that good and evil coexist in this age but will be separated at the final judgment. It warns against complacency and encourages genuine faith.

    The Parable of the Wheat and Tares teaches that true believers and false ones will coexist until the final judgment, when God will separate them.

    The rapture refers to the event when Christ returns to catch up believers — both living and dead — to meet Him in the air.