Scripture Query and Answer: Three Words Translated "Net"

Narrator: Chris Genthree
Duration: 1min
 •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 8
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Q.-As there are three different Greek words in the N. T. translated “net,” would it not be well to have the distinction explained? Q.
A.-Ἀμφίβληστρον occurs only in Matt. 4:1818And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. (Matthew 4:18) (implied also in Mark 1:1616Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. (Mark 1:16), where the most ancient MSS. omit the noun), and means a casting net. It was thrown round the object, whence the term was derived. The more usual word is δίκτυον, but in the plural form in Matt. 4:20, 2120And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. 21And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. (Matthew 4:20‑21), Mark 1:1818And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him. (Mark 1:18), in the sing. in John 21:6, 8, 116And 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. (John 21:6)
8And 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. (John 21:8)
11Simon 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. (John 21:11). It is derived from δικεῖν, to cast. Trawl net has been suggested as appropriate. But the σαγήνη (in Matt. 13:4747Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: (Matthew 13:47) only), from σάττειν to pack or load, was a dragnet or seine, on a larger scale.