Devine Scripture

Matthew 13:47

What does Matthew 13:47 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 13:47 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 13:47 means

The kingdom is likened to a net cast into the sea that gathers fish of every kind. This parable pictures the gospel’s wide, indiscriminate outreach: it draws many kinds of people into the church. The mixed haul reflects the present reality that the community of God includes genuine and false, righteous and wicked, until final sorting. The net emphasizes evangelistic breadth and the inevitability of a future sifting where true condition will be revealed and separated.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net, which was put into the sea and took in every sort of fish:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`Again, the reign of the heavens is like to a net that was cast into the sea, and did gather together of every kind,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Again the kingdom of heaven is like to a net cast into the sea, and gathering together of all kinds of fishes.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Again, the kingdom of the heavens is like a seine which has been cast into the sea, and which has gathered together of every kind,

Context

Placed after the value parables, this parable returns to the theme of mixed membership found in the tares parable. It prepares for the final sorting imagery—bringing the net ashore to separate good from bad—clarifying the church’s present inclusivity and future judgment.

v.46and having found one pearl of great price, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

v.47This passage

v.48which, when it was filled, they drew up on the beach; and they sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but the bad they cast away.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Corinthians 11:19

    For there must be also factions among you, that they that are approved may be made manifest among you.

  • 1 Corinthians 5:1

    It is actually reported that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not even among the Gentiles, that oneof you hath his father’s wife.

  • Acts 5:1

    But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

  • Revelation 3:1

    And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars: I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and thou art dead.

  • Matthew 25:1

    Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

  • Acts 8:18

    Now when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money,

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